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THE 

ANNUAL  REGISTER, 

» 

OR    A    VIEW    OF    THE 

H    IS    TO    rTy} 

P  OLlf  I  C  S, 

AND 

LITERATU  RE, 

For  the  YEAR  1786. 


LONDON: 
Printed  for  J.  Dodslev,  in  Pall- Mall,    1788. 

Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


•  i 


a.3i>-<5  %h 


Digitized  by  ^jOOQlC 


[    iii     ] 


PRE  F  AC  E. 


CONSIDERING  the  very  long  acquaintance  which 
we  have  fo  happily  maintained  with  the  Public,  a 
Preface  to  our  Twenty-eighths  Volume  feems  a  very 
unneceflary  ceremony.  Even  acknowledgments  of,  kind- 
nefs  and  profeflions  of  gratitude  become  tirefome  by  a 
continued  repetition;  and  yet,  if  cuftom  has  rendered 
fuch  an  introduction  neceffary,  and  it  is  expelled  that 
we  lhould  fay  fomething  upon  the  fubjeft,  how  can  we 
poffibly  refrain  from  the  genuine  expreflion  of  our,  fen- 
timents,  under  the  ftrong  impreffions  which  the  liberal 
and  unvarying  favour  of  that  Public,  through  fo  long  a 
courfe  of  years,  has  indelibly  ftamped  upon  us?  Xhe 
proper  manifeftation,  however,  of  our  gratitude,  will  be 
in  a6t  and  not  ifi  words ;  in  ufing  oyr  utmoft  exertions 
fHll  to  preferve  the  Annual  Rcgifter  in  that  ftyle  of  re- 
putation and  character,  which  has  hitherto  procured  it 
fuch  marked  diftinftion  and  fo  unlimited  a  patronage. 

As  the  year  of  which  we  treat  did  not  fuperabound 
in  political  events  of  great  general  importance,  and  was 
happily  free  from  the  dazzling  brilliance  of  military 
exploits,  thefe  circumftances  afforded  us  an  opportu- 
nity, which  we  gladly  embraced,  of  completing  our  re- 
trofpett  of  fuch  matters  of  confideration,  as  the  excefs 

and 


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iv  PREFACE. 

and  urgency  of  matter  in  late  bufy  years,  had  necefla-r 
rily  occafioned  our  poftponing.  Of  thefe,  the  public 
affairs  of  our  fitter  ifland  and  kingdom,  not  only  claimed 
the  firft  place  from  our  mutual  relation  and  iptereft,  but 
denianded  it  on  the  account  of  fuperior  importance  to 
all  others.  ,  We  have  likewife  brought  into  view  no 
fmall  fliare  of  curious  and  interefting  matter  from  the 

N  tranfa6tions  of  foreign  nations,  which  feemed  hitherto 
to  have  been  overlooked.  Spain,  in  particular,  has* 
through  the  great  improvements  which  for  fome  time 

'have  been  taking  place  in  that  kingdom,  afforded  a 
rrioft  pleafing  and  fertile  field  for  retrofpedt.  Nor  have 
other  countries,  apparently  more  flerile,  been  by 'any 
means  unproductive.  In  the  bufinefs  of  the  prefent 
year,  the  exceedingly  complicated  affairs  of  Holland, 
prefented  fo  alarming  an  afpedt,  and  indicated  confe- 
quences  by  which  the  interefts  and  even  fecurity  of  this 
country  might  have  been  fo  deeply  aflfe&ed,  that  their 
difcuflion  necefTarily  required  our  utmoft  care  and  moft 
ferious  attention. 


THE 


igitized  by  VjO(    5lC 


THE' 

ANNUAL   REGISTER, 

For   the  YEAR   1786.  . 

THE 

HI  S  T..O  R  Y 

OF 

E  "U     R     O     P     E. 

■ '        '  —        ■'  ■■   1  1     1     <     1  1  .i  1 1  1  ■    1    i   ■    ■       .I.  1      m , 

1 

,  C    H    A    P.       I. 

Ireland.  RetrofpeeJive  view  of  the  internal  ftate  of  affairs  tH  that  country.  Attempt 
to  reform  the  conjlitution,  by  Jbortening  the  duration  of  parliaments.  Mutiny  bill 
faffed.  Meetings  of  the  Irifb  volunteers  to  obtain  a  parliamentary  reform.  lncf~ 
fehual  attempCto  induce  them  to  dijband.  Bill  for  effecling  a  parliamentary  reform 
—rejefled  by  a  great  majority  ;  and  refolution  thereupon*  Addrefs  to  bis  majefty  on 
that  fubjecl.  Counter  addrefs.  Another  bill  prefented  and  rejecled.  Proportion. 
-  for  the  relief  of  the  Roman' catholics.  Petition  of  the  delegates  conveyed  to  Mr.  Pitt, 
Mr.  Pitt's  anfwer.  Dif union  among  the  volunteers ;  on  the  fubjefl  of  the  Roman* 
catholics.  Lord  Gharlemont  thanked  by  the  city  of  Dublin  for  bis  conducl.  Steps 
Taken  by  government  to  prevent  she  meeting  of  \tbe  delegates.  Letter  from  the  At* 
iorney  General  to'thejberiffs  of  Dublin.  High  jherlff  of  the  county  of  Dublin  profe* 
tuted,  fined,  and  imprifoned  j  others  alfo  profecuted.  Meetings  of  delegates  nevet- 
tbelefs  held.  Another  bill  prefented,  and  rtjecled.  D'tftrejfes  of  the  manufacturers 
cf  Dublin.  Committee  appointed  for  their  relief .  Mr.  Gardener's  plan—reje&ed 
by  a  very  great  majority.  Violent  ferment  among Jl  the  people-  Outrages  of  th^ 
mob,  *U)bo  are  difperfed  by  the  military.  Bill  for  refiricling  the  liberty  of  the  prefix 
Petitions  agqinft.  Modified,  and  paffed.  Non- importation  agreements  entered 
into.  Precautions  to  prevent  enormities.  Lord  Lieutenant  incurs  popular  odium, 
Mnd  is  openly  infulted.  Commercial  arrangement  betvjeen  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land. Afet  of  refolutions  prefented  totheboufe  of  common j  in  Ireland  \  agreed  to  ; 
VOL.  XXV1I1.      '  '.'[<!  tranfmitted 


a]         ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

tranfmitted  to  England.  Bufinefs  opened  in  the  boufe  of  commons  there  by  Mr.  Pitt ; 
bisfpeecb.  Proportions  minutely  invejligated.  Ten  neiv  proportions  added.  Pro- 
portions paffed. ,  Very  ftrongly  oppofed  in  the  bouft roj 'lords ;  paffed.  Bill  thereupon. 
Propofitioni  tranfmitted  to  Ireland  \  their  reception  there.  Bill  moved  for,  corres- 
pondent to  that  $n  England ;  debates  thereupon.  Speeches  of  Mr.  Grattan  and  Mr. 
*  Flood.  Bill  brought  in  \  ordered  to  be  printed.  Further  profecution  of  the  meafurg 
declined.  Mr.  Qrde'sfpeecb  on  the  occafion.— Intended  emigration  of  the  Genevefg 
to  Ireland.  Reception  uf  their  commijioners  there.  Disagreement  between  the 
,    parties.    Scheme  proves  abortive. 


WE  have  already  feen,  that 
by  feveral  acts  of  parlia- 
ment which  paffed  in  the 
year  1780,  the  commerce  of  Ire- 
land was  freed  from  thole  ruinous 
reftri&ions  with  which  it  had  been 
long  fhackled,  through  the  fhort- 
iighted  poiicy  and  narrow  prejudices 
of  the  Britifh  nation. 

In  the  year  1782,  the  declaratory 
act  of  George  the  Second  was  re- 
pealed; and  by  another  ftatute, 
which  paffed  in  the  following  year, 
the  authority  of  the  Britifh  parlia- 
ment, in  all  matters  both  of  legifla- 
tion  and  jurisdiction,  were  renoun- 
ced, and  the  political  independence 
of  the  kingdom  of  Ireland  was  com- 
ipleatly  eftablifhed.  , 

The  only  object  therefore  that 
remained  (or  the  confideration  of 
the  refpe&ive  governments  of  each 
country,  was  the  Settlement  of  a 
fyftem  of  commercial  intercourfe 
betwixt  the  two  kingdoms,  upon  a 
firm  and  permanent  bails. 

Before  we  enter  upon  this  part  of 
our  hiftory,  it  may  be  neceffary  to 
take  a  fhort  retrospective  view  of  the 
internal  date  of  affairs  in  that  coun- 

The  fpirit  of  reforming  the  con- 
flitution,  by  fhortening  the  duration 
,  of  parliaments,  and  eftablifhing  a 
moi  e  equal  reprefentation  of  the  peo- 
ple, which  broke  out  in  Great  Bri- 
tain about  the  year  1779,  paffed 
over  at  the  fame  period  into  the 


kingdom  of  Ireland — It  has  always 
been  queftioned,  whether  any  con- 
siderable part  of  the  people  of  Eng- 
land, however  unpopular  the  boufe 
of  commons  may  at  times  have  ren- 
dered itfelf  to  the  nation,  was  at  all 
diffatisfied  with  the  eftablifhed  mode 
of  reprefentation,  or  expected  any 
effectual  relief  from  the*  more  fre- 
quent return  of  elections. 

In  Ireland,  thefe  projects  of  refor- 
mation certainly  met  with  a  much 
more  general  reception — a  circum- 
Itance  not  difficult  to  be  accounted 
for,  when  we  confider  the  ferment 
which  then  exifted  in  that  kingdom, 
and  how  favourable  fuch  moments 
are  to  every  fpecies  of  political  in- 
novation. 

In  the  year  1779,  the  parliament 
of  Ireland,  in  their  addreffes  to  the 
throne,  had,  in  firm  and  manly  lan- 
guage, demanded  the  reftoration  of 
/their  commercial  freedom.  In  or- 
der to  give  effect  to  this  requifition, 
refolutions  were  entered  into  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  trading  towns  to 
prevent  the  importation  of  Britifh 
manufactures  ;  and  thefe  refolutions 
were  often  er forced  with  a  degree 
of  violence  and  outrage,  which  the 
civil  authority  of  the  country  was 
unable  to  reftrain.  This  vigorous 
and  determined  fpirit  of  the  people 
had  a  forcible .  elte&  upon  the  de- 
liberations of  parliament  7  all  new 
fupplies  for  the  current  fervices  of 
the  executive  government  were  de- 
nied. 


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HISTORY  OF  EUROPE. 


IS 


nied,  and  the  truft  of  the  old  reve- 
nue, which  had  ufually  been  voted 
for  two  years,  was  reftri&ed  to  fix 
months.— A  mutiny  bill  was  alfo 
pa(Ted  for  the  king's  army  in  Ire- 
land, which  before  had  always  been 
regulated  under  the  authority  of  an 
aft  of  the  Britim  tegiflature.— Thefe 
vigorous  meafures,  as  we  have  al- 
ready feen  in  the  tranfa&ions  of  the 
year  1780,  produced  their  intended 
effect,  and  led  to  ftill  more  impor- 
tant confequences. 

The  paffing  of  the  mutiny  bill 
was  a  ftep  that  went  in  its  principle 
fo  evidently  and  fo  dire&ly  to  the 
acknowledgment  of  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  kingdom  of  Ireland, 
that  it  is  not  eafy  to  conceive  how 
It  came  to  meet  with  fo  little  oppo- 
sition, from  adminiftration,  or  to  re- 
ceive fo  readily  the  fan&ion  of  the 
Britim  cabinet,  unlefs  we  fuppofe 
that  the  circumftance  of  its  being 
made  perpetual  had  rendered  it  ac- 
ceptable to  government.  But  in 
Ireland,  where  one  great  constitu- 
tional principle  appears  to  have  been 
facrificed  merely  for  the  purpofe  of 
eftabl lining  another,  it  was  eafy  to 
forefee  that  they  would  not  long 
fubmit  to  a  reftri&ion  which  ren- 
dered the  advantage  they  had  ob- 
tained not  only  not  ufeful,  but  dan- 
gerous to  their  conftitution. 

Accordingly  in  the  following  fef- 
(ion  an  attempt  was  made  to  get 
rid  of  the  obnoxious  part  of  the  bill, 
, ,  by  repealing  the  claufe  of  perpe- 
tuity.   But  here  government  made 


a'ftand  j  and  this,  as  well  as  a  mo- 
tion made  to  obtain  a  modification 
of  Poyniri£*s  law,  was  rejected  by  a 
large  majority. 

The  failure  of  thefe  efforts  of  the 
minority  in  parliament,  appears  to 
have  given  occafion  to  the  nxft  meet- 
ing of  the  volunteers  on  the  fubjed  of 
parliamentary  reform.     ^        0,, 
On  the  28th  of  Decern-    ^ *8th' 
ber,  1781,  the  officers        I'°1, 
of  one  of  the  Ulfter  regiments  "came 
to  an  unanimous  refolution,  "  That 
,•*  to  reftore  the  conftitution  to  its 
"  original  purity,  the  moft  vigorous 
"  and  effectual  methods  fhould  be  ' 
"  purfued  to  root   corruption  and 
"  court  influence  but  of  the  legifla- 
"  tive  body ;"    and  with  this  view  * 
a  meeting  of  delegates  from  the  fe- 
veral  regiments  of  the  province  was 
convened  at  Dun  gannon,  on  the  15th 
of  February  following. 

On  that  day  the  reprefentatives  of 
143  corps  of  volunteer  troops  aflem- 
bled.  Their  refolutions,  which  were 
adopted  in  fubftance  by  all  the  vo- 
lunteers, of  the  fbuthern  provinces, 
were  confined  for  the  moft  part  t«i 
the,  affertion  of  the  political  inde- 
pendence of  the  kingdom. — This 
primary  object  being  foon  after  efta- 
blifhed,  by  folemn  a6ts  of  the  le- 
giilature  of  both  nations,  the  ar- 
dour for  parliamentary  reformations 
appeared  for  a  while  to  nave  almoft 
entirely  fubfided  *. 

The  exiftence  and  increafe  of  the 

volunteer  army,  after  the  neceflity 

which  firft  gave  rife  to  it  had  been 

fuperfeded 

*  During  the  courfe  of  this,  the  Irifli  parliament  pa/Ted  the  following  afits,  fot 
the  purpofe  of  giving  effect  to  their  new  conftitution : 

An  aft  to  empower  the  lord  lieutenant,  or  other  chief  governor  or  governors,  and 
council  of  this  kingdom,  for  the  time  being,  to  certify  all  i'uch  bills,  and  none 
other,  as  both  homes  of  parliament  (hijl  judge  expedient  to  be  enacted  in  this 
kingdom  to  his  majefty,  his  heirs  and  lucceflbrs,  under  the  great  feal  of  Ireland, 
without  addition,  diminution,  or  alteration.    All  fuch  bills,  tlius  tranimitted,  and 

[41  *  returned 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


ANNUAL:  REGISTER,   1786. 


fupcrfeded  by  the  eftabli^hmen*  of 
peace,  and  after  the  great  conftitu- 
tional  objects  to  which  it  had  fe- 
condaiily  directed  its  views  were 
fully  attained,  called  for  the  mod 
ferious  attention  of  government.-^ 
Accordingly,  foon  after  the  tran fac- 
tions we  have  juftrelated,,an  attempt, 
was  made  to  induce  them  to  diiband, 
by  raiting,  under  the  authority  of 
government,  a  kind  of  national  mi- 
litia, by  the  nanie  of  ¥  enable  Regi* 
wents.  —  lt  is  probable  that  this  de- 
tign,  though  too  glaring  to  be  con- 
cealed, and  accordingly  almofl  uni- 
verfally  condemned  and  oppofed  by 
the  volunteers,  would  in  time  have 
produced  its  effect,  if  fome  new  ob- 
ject had  not  been  found  upon  which 
the  united  efforts  of  that  body  might 
again  be  exerted.  -  The  reform  of 
parliamentary  representation  fur- 
•niihed  this  centre  of  union,  and  the 
difcuffion  of  it  was  again  relumed 
with  great  zeal  and  folemnity. — 
Delegates  are  aflenlbled  from  the 
leveral  corps  of  the  feveral  pro- 
vinces 5  committees  of  correfpon- 
dence  arc  appointed  j  and  letters  * 
are  difpatched  to  the  mod  celebrated 
political  {peculators,  or  parliamen- 
tary reformers  in  Qreat  Britain,  for 


their  advice  on  fo  great  and  momen- 
tous an  occation. 

On  the  eighth  day  of  September, 
1783,  a  general  meeting  of  dele- 
gates from  the  province  of  Ulfter 
was  held  at  Dungannon.  "A  plan  of 
reformation  was  here  propofed  and 
agreed  upon  ;  and  it  was  refolved, 
that  a  grand  national  convention  of 
reprefentatives  from  the  whole  vo- 
lunteer army  fhould  aflemble  at 
Dublin  on  the  tenth  day  of  Novem- 
ber following.  In  thefe  meafures 
the  volunteer  corps  of  the  other 
three  provinces'  alnioft  unanimously 
concurred. 

The  convention  in  Dublin  was 
both  full  and  refpectable,  and  the 
meafures  were  at  leaft  commendable 
for  their  moderation.  On  the  fub- 
je£t  of  parliamentary  reform  it  was 
propofed  toextend  the  right  of  voting 
in  all  cities  and  boroughs  to  every 
proteftant  inhabitant  poflefled  of  a 
,  freehold  or  leafehold,  for  3 1  years  or 
upwards,  of  the  value  of  forty  mil- 
lings a  year;  that  in  decayed  bo- 
roughs, where  the  number  of  voters 
fhould  be  lets  than  twa  hundred  in 
the  province  of  Ulfter,. one  hundred 
in  Munfter  and  Connaught,  and  fe- 
venty  in  the  province  of  Leinfter, 


returned  under  the  great  feal  of  Great  Britain,, without  addition,  diminution,  or 
alteration,  and  none  other,  to  pais  in  the  parliament  of  this  kingdom.  No  bill 
neceflary  to.be  certified  into  Great  Britain  as  a  cauie  or  confideration  for  holding  a 
parliament  in  Ireland. 

An  act  to  limit  the  mutiny  aft  to  two  years,  and  to  repeal  the  other  obnoxious 
pairs  of  the  late  ftatute. 

An  a#,  providing  that  from  henceforth  all  erroneous  judgments,  orders,  and 
decrees,  ihali  be  finally  examined  and  reformed  in  the  high  court  of  parliament  of 
this  kingdom  only;  and  that  for  this  purpofe  the  lord  lieutenant,  or  other  chief 
governor  or  governors,  /hall  and  may  grant  warrants  for  fealing  writs  of  error  re- 
turnable iuto  parliament. 

An  habeas  corpus  law,  and  one  for  rendering  the  judges  independent  of  the  crown, 
were  alfo  enacted. 

*  Thele  letters  were  addreffed  to  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  the  Earl  of  EfRng- 
ham,  Mr.  Wiljiain  Pitt,  Mr.  Wyvil,  Major  Cirtvvright,  Dr.  Price,  and  Dr.  John 
Jebb.  .  ' 

the 


' 


HISTORY*  OF   Ed  rope. 


C5 


the  neighbouring  pari  flies  h\ouid  be,   "\  aflure  hUn  of  their,  determination 
admitted  to  a  right  of  voting;  A&d..  "?;to   fupport:  the  pre  lent-  conftitu-* 


laftly,  that  the  duration  of  parlia- 
ments mould  be  limited  to  tjbree.. 
yea  rs"; '  '  '* 

■Mr*.' 
for  wan 
in  trie 
accord: 
moved 
"  for  t 
"•of  t 
The  m 
major  i 
ftronge 
Witho 
tion  oi 
plan  pi 
houfe 
betrayi 
its  ai 
prropof 
point  ( 
armed 
a"ble  tl 

of  view,  yet  to  fufter  them  to  befet 
the  houfe  of  parliament,  and  to 
dictate  to  the  legiilature  with  arms 
in  their  hands,  would  be  to  efta- 
hlifh  a  precedent  fubverfive  of  the 
very  exiitence  of  all  order  and  go- 
vernment. 

The  motion  being  rejected  by  a 
majority  of  15^7  to  77,  the  houfe 
came  to  a  reiolution,  which  was 
moved  by  Mr.  Yelverton,  the  at- 
torney general,  "  That  it  was  now 
"  necetfary  to  declare,  that  the 
"  houfe  would  fupport  the  rights 
"  and  privileges  of  parliament  a- 
"  gainft  all  encroachments."  An 
addrefs  was  alfo  ordered  to  be  pre- 
fented  to  the  king,  on  the  motion 
of /Mr.  Conolly,  "  to  expreis  the 
"  happinefs  they  enjoyed  under  the 
"  etiabliihed   government,   and  to 


",  tibir  ..with  ^their  lives  and  for- 
"  tunes/'  The' addrefs  being  fe.nt 
up  to  die  H#ufe  of  Lords,  received 
their  qoncusrjcpce. 
_On  the  report  of  thefe  meafures  . 
to  the  convention  by  Mr.  Flood, ,  it , 
was  agreed,  ,that  a  court  ter-addrefs 
mould  be  prefented  to  the  king,  in 
the  name  of  the  delegates  of  .all 
the  volunteers  of  Ireland,  "  to  ira- 
"  plore  his.  majeily,  that  their  hum- 
"  ble  wifli  to  have  certain  manifeft 
"  perverfions  in  the  parliamentary 
"  reprefentation  of  that  kingdom 
"  remedied,,  might-  hot  be*  imputed . 
"  to  any  fpirit  of  innovation,  but 
"to  a  lober  and  laudable  deiire  to 
"  uphold  the  conftitution,  to  con- 
"  firm  the  fatisfacYion  of  their  fel- 
"  low-fubje&s,  and  perpetuate  the 
"  cordial  uuipn  of  the  two  na- 
"  tions," 

The  change  which  foon  afterwards, 
took' place  in  the  adminiftration  of 
both  kingdoms,  gave  freih  fpirits 
to  the  friends  of  reformation.  It- 
was  not  unreaibna^ly  expecied  that 
the  weight  of  government  would 
now  be  thrown  into  their  fcale,  as 
the  firft  minifter  in  England,  and 
the  firft  mini  tier,  in,  Ireland*,  had 
been  among  the  raofl  e^ger  and  loud 
in  fupport- of  the  fame  meafures  in 
Great  Britain.  But  notwithftaud-* 
ing  thefe  flattering  appearances, 
they  were  doomed  to  experience  a 
fecond  difappointment. 

On    the    13th    of    M     \        , 
March     1784,     Mr.     Ma™  15U  ' 
Flood    again   moved  '  *' 

for  leave  to  bring  in  his  bill  5  as  the 
motion  was  fupported  by  a  great 
number  of  petitions,  and  all  occa- 
fion  of    offence  was    avoided,   by 


*  Mr)  Pitt,  and  the  Duke  of  Rutland. 


keeping 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


6] 


ANNUAL    REGISTE  R, ,,*7&6. 


keeping  the  volunteers  out  of  view  5 
the  bill  was  allowed  to  be  brought 
in,  but,  oil  the  fecond  reading,  it 
was  rejected  by  nearly  the  fame 
majority  as  before. 

Thefe  repeated  defeats  did  not 
abate  the  ardour  of  the  Irifli  re- 
formers/  in  the  purfuit  of  their  fa- 
vourite object  j  but  as  all  hope  of 
obtaining  the  deliberate  co-opera- 
tion of  parliament  was  at  an  end, 
they  turned  their  applications  to 
a  quarter  from  whence  experience 
had  already  taught  them  to  look  for 
more  effectual  exertions  5  as  go- 
vernment had  not  yet  ventured  to 
queftion  the  legality  of  the  volun- 
teer affociations,  the  people  at  large 
were  called  upon  to  provide  them- 
felves  with  arms,  and  to  array 
themfelves  under/  that  defcription. 
Several  unpopular  acts  of  the  new 
government,  in  fome  of  which  par- 
liament was  alfo  involved  by  the 
fhare  it  had  in  them,  ferved  greatly 
to  increafe  the  general  difcontent 
of  the  nation. 

June  7th.     T  °n   the  ?th.   **  of 
/     .     junc    a   .meeting    was 

held  of  the  aggregate  body  of  the 
citizens  of  Dublin.  It  was  here 
tefolved  to  prefent  another  petition 
to  the  king,  and  in  the  mean  time 
to  endeavour,  by  a*  circular  addrefs* 
to  ftimulat$  4he  body  of  the  people 
to  a  general  and  vigorous  exer- 
tion. 

The  petition,  after  enumerating 
their  feveral  grievances,  and  la- 
menting that  his  majefty's  admini- 
ftration  fhould  have  taken  an  active 
part  in  all  the  meafures  of  which 
they  complained,  ttates,"  That  this 
u  was  a  circumftance  the  more  ex- 
'*  traordinary,  as  the  firft  mihifter 
u  of  England  had  virtuoufly  de- 
"  clared  himfelf  in  favour  of  the 
t  "  principal  meaiure  which  had  been 


"  rejected  5  that  his  majefty  had 
r*  lately  thought  it  neceflary  to  ap-» 
u  peal  to  the  electors  of  Great  Bri- 
"  tain  a  gain  ft  the  power  of  an  arif- 
"  tocracy  j  that  on  that  occafion 
"  but  one-fourth,  of  the  people  of 
t(  England  exclaimed  againft  their 
u  Houfe  of  Commons,  and  the  fo- 
"  vereign  prudently  diflblved  a  par-  . 
u  liament  wjiich  had  loft  the  conrl- . 
"  dence  of  a  quarter  of  the  na» 
"  tion,  and  declared  his  readinefs 
"  to  adopt  whatever  he  fhould  col- 
"  led  to  be  the  fenfe  of  his  people  ; 
"  and  that  they  therefore  looked 
"  up  to  him  with  the  utmoft  conti- 
"  dence  for  the  immediate  diflbiu- 
"  tion  of  the  parliament  of  Ire- 
"  land,  in  compliance  with  the  al- 
"  mod  unanimous  requeft  of  his 
"  loyal  fubjecls  of  that  kingdom.'* 

In  the  addrefs,  the  complicated 
hardfhips  they  had  fuffered  from  the 
abufe  of  power  were  detailed  with 
great  warmth  and  freedom  j  the 
continuance  of  thefe  fufterings  they 
attribute  to  the  defects  of  their  re- 
prefentation  in  parliament ;  and 
they  appeal  to  experience  for  the 
inefficacy  of  every  means  they  had 
employed  to  obtain  redrefs.  They 
therefore  call  upon  and  conjure  their 
fellow-fubjects  to  unite  with  them 
in  the  purfuit  of  ibme  more  effica- 
cious plan  for  the  removal  of  the 
general  calamity  5  and  with  this 
view  they  propofe  that  five  perfons 
mould  be  elected  from  each  county, 
city,  and  confiderable  town,  to 
meet  in  Dublin  in  national  con- 
grefs.    , 

But  the  mdft  remarkable  feature 
in  this  addrefs  was,  a  proportion  to 
admit  the  Roman-catholic  fubjectg 
of  that  kingdom  to  a  participation 
in  the  .rights  of  fufTrage  at  the 
electkm  of  member's  of  parliament. 
Though  this  meafure  was  not  only 
coulbnant 


•       tized  by 


IJ I  STORY   OF  EUROPE. 


C7 


confonant  to  the  general  principles 
of  the  reform  they  meditated,  but 
promifed  no  fmall  acceffion  of 
ftrength  to  the  common  caufe,  yet 
the  fincerity  of  the  Irifh  proteftants 

.  on  this  point,  farther  than  as  it 
ferved  the  prefent  turn,  has  been 
much  doubted. 

In  a  former  volume  we  had  oc- 

,  can" on  to  remark,  as  one  of  the  con- 
ferences of  the  general  cala- 
mity in  which  the  late  war  had  in- 
volved the  country  of  Ireland,  that 
the  prejudices  entertained  againft 
the  papifts  in  that  kingdom  appear- 
ed, itt  fome  degree,  to  be  giving 
way  to  more  liberal,  wife,  and  equi- 
table fentiments.  The  volunteers, 
at  a  very  early  period,  expreffed 
their  abhorrence  of  the  unjuft  and 
impolitic  treatment  of  fo  great  a 
majority  of  their  fellow-fubje&s ; 
they  recommended  their  caufe  to 
the  attention  of  the  legiflature,  and, 
in  fome  counties,  even  invited  them 
to  range  themfelves  under  the  fame 
banners  in  the  field.  But  the  great 
political  objects  then  in  view  being 
obtained,  no  other  relief  was  grant- 
ed to  the  catholics,  than  the  repeal 
of  a  few  of  the  moil  cruel  and  op- 
preflivo  claufes  in  the  laws  ena&ed 
againft  them  *. 


When  the  bufinefs  of  equal  re- 
prefentation  began  to  be  agitated, 
the  cafe  of  the  Roman-catholics  was 
again  brought  forward,  and  the  de- 
legated of  the  meeting  at  Dungan* 
non,  in  the  year  17^3,  were  ki- 
ftructed  to  confider  oi'  the  beft  plan 
of  admitting  them  to  an  equal  par- 
ticipation in  the  benefits  of  the 
„  projected  reformation.  At  the  fub- 
fequent  meeting  of  the  convention 
in  Dublin,  when  that  fubject  was 
propofed  for  their  consideration,  a 
pretended  letter  was  produced  from 
the  Earl  of  Kenmare,  purporting  to 
convey  the  general  fentiments  of 
the  Roman-catholics  of  Ireland,  in, 
which  they  were  made  to  exprefs 
their  perfect  fatisfa&ion  with  what 
had  been  already  done  for  them, 
and  that  they  defired  no  more  thair 
peaceably  to  enjoy  the  privileges 
they  had  obtained.  But  though 
this  letter  was  publicly  difavowed, 
both  by  the  refpe&able  perfon  from 
whom  it  was  faid  to  have  come, 
and  by  a  general  aijTembly  of  the 
committee  of  the  Irifh  catholics, 
who  acknowledged  themfelves  to 
have  too  great  a  refemblance  to  the 
reft  of  their  fpecies  \o  be  defirous 
of  oppofing  any  thing  that  tended 
to  their  relief,  and  that  tliey  ihould 


*  By  an  act  paiTed  in  17^8,  Roman-catholics  were  empowered  tj  take  leafes  for 
any  term  of  years,  not  exceeding  nine  hundred  anfl  ninety -nine,  or  for  any  term  of 
years  determinable  on  any  number  of  lives,  not  exceeding  five  They  were  now 
enabled  to  purchafe  or  take  by  grant,  limitation*  defcenr,  or  devile,  any  lands,  tene- 
ments, or  hereditaments,  in  this  kingdom,  with  certain  exceptions)  and  to  difpofe 
of  them  by  will  or  otherwifej  to  defcend  according  to  the  courfe  of  common  law, 
devifable  and  transferable  in  like  manner  at  the  lands  of  proteftants.  By  the  fame 
law,  certain  penal  acts  refpe&ing  the  hearing  and  the  celebrating  of  mafs  5  forbid- 
ding Roman-catholics  to  keep  a  horfe  of,  or  above  the  value  of,  five  pounds  j  em-  ; 
powering  grand  juries  to  levy  from  them,  in  their  rei'pe&ive  dirtri&s,  money  to  tl;c 
amount  ot  iuch  loftes  as  were  fuftained  by  the  depredations  of  privateers ;  requiring 
them  to  provide  in  towns  proteft ant  watchmen  $  and  forbidding  them  to  inhabit  the 
city  of  Limerick,  or  fuburbs,  were  repealed. 

So  much  of  the  former  acts  as  forbad  them  to  teach  fchool  publicly,  or  to  in- 
ftruft  youth  of  their  own  profeflion  in  private,  was  alfo  repealed  ;  and  a  law  en- 
acted to  permit  them  to  have  the  guardianflup,  the  care,  and  the  tuition  of  their 
©wn  children. 

[^]  4  receive 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


Sj        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


receive  any  indulgence  the  legis- 
lature fhould  be  willing  to  grant 
them,  yet,  in  the  plan  of  reform, 
digefted  at  this  meeting,  they  were 
left  precifely  in  the  fame  fituation 
as  before. 

But  to  return  to  the  proceedings 
of  the  citizens  of  Dublin.— An  ap- 
plication was.  made  to  the  lord  lieu- 
tenant to  convey  their  petition  to 
the  throne.  In  anfwer  to  their  re- 
queft,  he  informed  them,  that  though 
u  was  his  duty  to  convey  the  pa- 
pers they  pre  fen  ted,  yet  he  found 
himfelf  obliged  to  accompany  them 
with  hrs  entire  difapprobation  $  as 
they  contained  unjuft  and  indecent 
jrefle&ions  upon  the  laws  and  the 
parliament  of  Ireland,  and  as  they 
tended  to  foment  fatal  diffenfions 
among  the  people. 

The  credulity  of  the  Irifh  re- 
formers was  proof  againft  all  dif- 
approbation. They  could  not  be 
perfuaded,- but  that  the  Englifh  mi- 
Jnifter  would  heartily  concur  in  the 
fupport  of  meafures  founded  on 
principles  which  he  had  himfelf  fo 
often  and  fo  often  tatioufly  avowed. 

t  l    QfVi      Accordingly,  on  the  8th 
»uiyatn.  of  Ju]^  a  petitiou  t0  thc 

king  was  conveyed  to  Mr.  Pitt,  by 
tne  inhabitants  of  Belfaft,  nearly 
pf  the  fame  tenor  with  that  of  the 
citizens  of  Dublin.  In  the  month 
of  September,  Mr.  Pitt  informed 
them,  in  his  anfwer,  "  That  he  had 
40  undoubtedly  been,  and  fhll  cpn- 
*'  tinued,  a  zealous  friepd  tc* 
44  form  in  parliament,  but  th; 
44  mud  beg  leave  to  (ay,  th 
"  had  been  fo  on  grounds  vejjPdif- 
"  ferent  from  thole  adopted  in  their 
44  petition.  That  what  was  there 
"  propofed,  he  confidered  as  tend- 
44  ing  to  produce  dill  /greater  evils 
44  than  any  of  thofe  which  the 
44  friends  of  reform  were  defirous 
**  %o  remedy/' 


But  the  caufe  pf  reform  received 
about  this  time  a  more  fatal  blow, 
from  the  difunion  which  broke  out 
amongft  the  volunteers  themfebes, 
on  the  fubjeel  of  admitting  the  Ro- 
man-catholics to  the  rights  of  elec- 
tion. In  an  addrefs  prefented  by- 
the  XJlfter  corps  to  their  general, 
the  Earl  of  Sharlemont,  after  fome 
ftrongexpreffions  of  their  deteftation. 
of  ar'tjlocratk  tyranny,  they  hint  at 
the-neceffity  of  calling  in  thc  ai4 
of  the  catholics,  as  the  moftjuftas 
well  as  effectual  means  of  oppofing 
it  with  fuccefs.  In  anfwer  to  this 
addrefs,  the  Earl  of  Charlemont 
lamented  that,  for  the  firft  time,  he 
felt  himfelf  obliged  to  diifer  from 
them  in  fentiment.  He  was  free 
from  every  illiberal  prejudice  againft 
the  catholics,  and  full  of  good  will 
towards  that  very  refpe&able  bodyj 
but  he  could  not  refrain  from  the 
moft  ardent  entreaties  that  they 
would  defift  from  a  purfuit  that 
would  fatally' clog  and  impede  thc 
profecution  of  their  favourite  pur- 
pofe. 

As  this  nobleman  was  very  highly 
and  very  defer vedly  refpe&ai  by 
the  whole  nation,  his  opinion  was 
eagerly  embraced,  both  by  thc  timid, 
whofe  apprehenfions  were  alarmed 
by  the  boldnefs  and  extent  of  the 
project,  and  by  a  great  number 
whofe  prejudices  againft  the  cathor 
lies  appear  rather  to  have  been  dif- 
fcmbled  than  cured.  In  the  month 
of  October,  the  thanks  of  the  cor- 
poration of  the  city  of  Dublin  was 
voted  him  for  his  conduct  on  this 
occafion. 

The  meeting  of  a  national  con- 
grefs,  was  a  meafure  of  too  alarming 
a  nature,  not  to  attract  the  moft  fc- 
rious  attention  of  government ',  and 
it  appears  to  have  been  their  relb- 
lution  to  take  the  moft  vigorous 
fteps  for  preventing  it  if  poliible. 

A  few 


by  Google 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


A  few  days  previous  to  that  which 
was  fixed  for  the  election  of  dele- 
gates for  the  city  of  Dublin,  the 
attorney-general  addreiled  a  letter 
to  the  'fhcriffs,  expreth'ng  his  very 
great  furprife  at  having  read  a  fum-' 
mons,  figned  by  them,  calling  a 
meeting  for  thepurpole  in  queliion. 
He  obferved,  that  by  this  proceed- 
ing, they  had  been  guilty  of  a  moll 
outrageous  breach  of  their  duty; 
and  that  if  they  proceeded,  they 
would  be  refponiible  to  the  laws  of 
their  country,  and  he  fhould  hold 
himfelf  bound  to  profecute  them  in 
the  court  of  "Kings  Bench,  for  a 
conduct:  which  he  'considered  fo 
highly  criminal,  that  he  could  not 
overlook  it.  Thefe  threats  fucceed- 
ed  lb  far  as  to  intimidate  the  Ac- 


[9 

fembly,  and  the  refolutions  they 
came  to  on  this  occafion,  figued  by  . 
Mr.  Reiley,  in  his  character  offherilF 
for  the  county,  were  both  declared 
to  be  illegal,  and  Mr.  Reiley  was 
fentenced  by  the  court  to  pay  a  fine 
of  rive  marks  (3].  6s.  8d.)  and  to  be. 
imprifoned  one  week. 

This  mode  of  legal  procefs,  ex-^ 
cept  for  the  purpofe  of  bringing 
perfons  before  the  court,  to  receive 
the  fentence  of  liich  court  for  con- 
tempt of  and  difobedience  to  its 
orders  and  directions,  has  lb  fcldcm 
been  re  for  ted.  to,  that  even  the  le- 
gality of  the  procefs  itielf,  on  any 
other  ground  than  the  one  above 
mentioned,  has  remained  a  matter  of 
general  doubt  and  uncertainty. 

In  die  prefent  cafe  it  met  with 


riffs  from  attending  the  meeting  in  much  lefs    oppofition    than  might 

their  official' capacity;  but  themeet-  have  been  expected.  Clamours  with- 

ing  was  neverthelefs  held,  delegates  out  doors,  and  debates  within,  on  the 

were   chofen  j  and '  in   revenge  for  fubject,   there  certainly   were,    but 

the  attorney's  letter,  feveral  ilrong  both  too  feeble  and  ill-concerted  to 

refolutions  were  agreed  to,  relative  promife  any  fuccefs. 


to  the  right  of  affembling  them- 
felves  for  the  redrefs  of  grievances. 

But  government,  having  once  fet 
their  faces  againlt  the  election  and 
affembling  of  delegates,  purfued  >a 
mode  of  conduct  that  had  lufficient 
.  q{  resolution  in  it  at  lcaft.  From 
denouncing  threats,  they  proceeded 
fo  actual  punifhraents. 

Heniy  Stephens  lleiley,  Efq.  high 
fheriff  for  the  county  of  Dublin,  in 
confequence  of  his  having  called 
together  and  preiided  at  an  affem- 
bly  of  freeholders,  who  met  on  the 
A  .,       19th  of  Auguit  1784, 

Aug.  19th.    f*r    the     p*fp?fe'  Jf 

choofingfcnd  instructing  their  dele- 
gates, was  the  firit  object  of  minif- 
te.rial  profecution  on  this  occasion. 
Tlu    attorney-general    proceed    a 


Jt  is  probable  too,  that  the  ap- 
prehenfions  that  many,  perfons  be- 
gan to  form  of  the  delegates  them- 
felves,  whom  they  looked  upon  in 
fome  meafure  as  a  new  order  riling 
up  in  the  ftate,  might  induce  them 
to  acquiefce'  in,  if  not  to  approve 
of,  an  extraordinary  and  unufual 
mode  of  proceeding  on  this  occa- 
lion. 

But  government  did  not  confine 
their  profecutions  to  Mr.  Reiley.— 
Having  once  adopted  a  mode  of 
proceeding,  which  fo  effectually  an- 
f  weird  the  end  for  which  they  de- 
ngned  it,  informations  were  moved 
for,  and  attachments  granted  dgainft 
the  different  magistrates  who  called 
the  meetings,  aud  figned  the  re- 
fpective'  refolutions    of    the    free- 


againft  Ifim  by  attachment  from  the    holders  in  the  counties  of  Rofcom- 
court  of  King's   Bench.     Tlie  af-    mon  and    Lei  trim.      At  the  fame 

time, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


jo]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


time,  the  prefs  too  came  tinder  the 
lafh  of.  the  attorney-general  5  and 
the  printers  and  publifhers  of  fuch 
news-papers  as  had  inferted  the  ob- 
noxious refolutions,  fufrered  with 
the  magi  Urates  who  had  figned 
them. 

Notwithstanding ,  thefe    violent 

„  meafures  whjch  adminiftration  were 

purfuing,  the  national  congrefs  met, 

purfuant  to  its  appointment,  on  the 

Oa  2<th     2$th   da^  °(   0aober- 
'    °    *   But  as  it  was  far  from 

being  compleat  in  point  of  number, 
and  feveral  of  its  mod  refpectable 
members  chofe  to  abfent  themfelves; 
they  adjourned,  after  having  pafled 
a  number  of  refolutions  to  the  fame 
purport  with  thofe  which  had  been 
agreed  to  at  the  previous  meeting; 
and  exhorted,  in  the  moft  earneft 
manner,  the  communities  which 
had  not  fent  reprefentatives,  if  they 
refpected  their  own  confiftency,  if 
they'wiihed  for  the  fuccefs  of  a  par- 
liamentary reform,  and  as  they  ten- 
dered the  perpetual  liberty  and  pro- 
fperity  of  their  country,  not  to  let 
pafs  this  opportunity  of  effecting  the 
great  and  neceffary  confirmation  of 
the  conftitution. 

At  their  fecond  meeting,  which 

T  ,    was  held  on  the  2d  of 

January  ad,  JannMy  ^  ^  ^ 

'*'  prefentatives  of  twen- 
ty-feven  counties,  and  of  moft  of 
the  cities  and  considerable  towns 
of  the  kingdom,  amounting  in  the 
whole  to  upwards  of  two  hundred 
perfons,  aflembled.  Their  proceed- 
ings appear  to  have  been  of  the 
fame  nature  as  thofe  they  had  be- 
fore adopted,  with  only* this  differ- 
ence, that  in  the  propofed  applica- 
tion to,  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  it 
was  agreed  to  confine  themfelves  to 
the  moft  general  terms,  and  to  leave  - 
the  mode  of  redrefs  as    free   and 


open  as  poffible  to  the  confideratioa 
of  parliament.  After  feveral  ad- 
journments,  they  held  their  final 

meeting  on  the  20  th     A ..  „., 

of  April;  and  Qn  the  A*nl  *oth' 
i2thofMay,  the  bill     «.  .. 

which  Mr.  Flood  had  Ma7  I2th* 
again  brought  in,  inpurfuanceof their 
common  object,  was  again  rejected. 

During  the  courie  of  the  pro- 
ceedings relative  to  parliamentary 
and  conftitutional  reformation,  in- 
terefts  of  a  more  preffing  and  im- 
portant nature  frequently  divided 
the  attention  of  the  people,  and 
were  purfued  with  a  more  intem- 
perate degree  of  zeal  and  violence. 
It  fhould  feem  as  if  the  manufac- 
turers of  Ireland  had  conceived  an 
opinion,  that  the  reftitution  of  com- 
mercial freedom  would  operate  like 
a  charm,  and  diffufe  in  an  inftant 
that  general  profperity  over  the  na- 
tion, which  could  only  be  the  effect 
of  a  long  courfe  of  frugal,  atten- 
tive, and  perfevering  induftry.  The 
fallacy  of  thefe  fanguine  expecta- 
tions was  foon  apparent;  and  the 
evil,  if  not  partly  caufed,  was  greatly 
aggravated  by  the  idlenefs  of  the 
loweft  clafs  of  people,  and  that  ne- 
glect of  their  proper  occupations  of 
the  better  fort,  which  was  the  con- 
fequence  of  the  general  difpofition 
to  political  fpeculations. 
-  Towards  the 'end  of  the  year 
1783,  the  diftreffes  of  the  manu- 
facturers of  Dublin  had  arifen  to 
fuch  a  height,  as  for  a  fhort  time 
to  fuperfede  all  laws,  and  to  reduce 
the  city  to  a  ftate  of  anarchy  and 
confuiionj  as  a  temporary  remedy 
to  this  mifchief,.  fubferiptions  were 
fet  on  foot  for  their  relief,  which 
were  very  liberally  fupported,  and 
in  the  mean  time  a  committee  was 
appointed  by  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
mon^ to  take  into  consideration  the' 

ftate 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


[» 


ftate  of  the  manufactures  of  the 
kingdom.  Mr.  Gardener,  who  took 
the  lead  in  that  bufinefs,  palled 
over  into  England,  In  order  to  con- 
fult  with  the  king's  minifters  on  the 
alarming  exigence  of  affairs  5  but, 
as  ihould  appear  from  the  event, 
without .  being  able  to  agree  with 
them  on  the  adoption  of  any  fpecific 
meafures. 

On  the  31ft  of  March.  1784,  the 
houfe  took  into  confideration  the 
report  of  the  committee  $  on  which 
occasion  Ijtfr.  Gardener  brought  for- 
ward a  plan,  for  which  the  people 

t  J&ad  for  fome  time  been  extremely 
clamorous,  namely,  that  of  prote&- 
kng  duties—of  protecting  their  own 
manufactures,  and  enforcing  the 
confumption  of  them  at  home,  by 
paying  heavy  duties  on  fimiiar  ma- 
nufactures imported  from  other 
countries. 

After  Hating  the  nature  and  ex- 
tent of  the  diftreffes  under  which 
the  manufacturers  laboured,  Mr. 
Gardener  adverted  to  the  feveral 
modes  which  had  been  propofed  of 
affording  them  relief.  The  firit 
was  to  force  the  home  confumption 
£y  nOn-iraportation  agreements. — 
This  was  a  meafure  which,  he  fa  id, 
was  hot  very  likely  to  receive  the 
Sanction  of  the  legislature,  nor  did 
he  think  it  advifeable  in  itfelf  j  the 
expedient  had  been  fully  tried,  as 
far  as  voluntary  compacts  could 
carry  it,  and  had  been  attended 
*  with  the  moft  pernicious  inftead  of 
beneficial  effects ;  not  to  mention  the 

.  outrageous  exceffes  into  which  the 
people  had  been  led  in  the  enforc- 
ing thefe  agreements,  it  ftill  left  it 
in  the  power  of  the  inferefted  and 
avaricious  to  draw  additional  pro- 
fits from  the  diftreffes  of  the  coun- 
try. The  home  manufactures  were 
not  only  vended  at  the  moft  extra- 


vagant price,  but  all  incitement  to 
emulation  being  removed,  they  had 
declined  in  their  quality  to  iho 
loweft  extreme. — The  fecond  was, 
to  encourage  by  bounties  the  ex- 
port trade.  But  this,  he  thought* 
was  beginning  at  the  wrong  end. 
Foreign  trade  could  only  be,  fecured , 
by  the  excellence  of  the  manufac- 
tures, and  that,  he  contended,  could 
only  be  obtained  in  the  gradual 
progrefs  of  a  home  confumption. 
There  tiien  remained  no  other  mea- 
fure than  that  he  now  propofed,  by 
which  a  preference  only  would  be 
given  to  the  native  manufacture, 
a  preference  which,  he  believed,  in 
all  other  commercial  countries,  was 
uniformly  fecured*  .  He  therefore 
concluded  with  moving*  u  That  a 
"  duty  of  two  millings  and  fix- 
€t  pence  per  yard  be  laid  00  all 
'-'  drapery  imported  into  that  king- 
"  dom."  At  the  fame  time  he  de-^ 
clared  his  intention  of  moving  for 
proportionate  duties  on  paper,  ma- 
nufactured iron,  and  a  variety  of 
other  articles. 

In  anfwer  to  thefe  arguments  it 
*was  urged,  that  the  protecting  dutyi 
if  made  effectual,  would  neceflariy 
produce  all  the  confequenoes  of  non- 
importation.— But  what  was  chiefly 
infilled  on  was,  that  it  could  not  bt 
expected  Great  Britain  would  notre- 
taliate,  and  that  they  might  thereby 
run  the  riik  of  lofing  the  linen  trade, 
the  value  of  which  was  a  million 
and  a  half,  for  ,the  uncertain  prof- 
pect  of  encrealing  the  woollen,which. 
did  not  exceed  50,0001.  The  quet- 
tion  being  at  length  put  on  Mr.^ 
Gardener's  motion,  it  was  rejected 
by  a  majority  of  1 10  to  ,36. 

The  rejection  of  Mr.  Gardener's 
propofitions  caufed  a  violent  fermen- 
tation amongft  the  people.  On  the 
Monday  following    an  outrageous 

•  mob 


Digrtized  by  VjOOQ  I 


ia        A  N  K:U  AL    REGISTER,  1786. 


mob  broke  into  the  houfe  of  com- 
mons at  the  time  of  its  fitting,  re- 
proached the  members  with  having 
told  themlelves  to  Great  Britain, 
and  called  on  them  at  leaft  to  diftri- 
bute  amongft  the  ltarving  manufac- 
turers fome  ihare  of  the  hire  of  their 
#  iniquity.  The  guards  being  fent 
for,  put  an  end  to  the  riot  without 
any  bloodfhed,  and  two 'of  the  ring- 
leaders were  apprehended  and  com- 
mitted to  Newgate. 

As  there  was  great  reafon1  to  be- 
lieve that  the  people  were  greatly  in- 
cite d  to  thefe  violentexceifes  by  the 
fedltious   and    inflammatory   libels 
'  which  were  dailycirculated  in  the 
public    papers,    profecutions    were 
commenced  aga&ft  feveral   of  the 
printers;  and  on  the  7th  oV  April 
a  bill  was  brought  in  by  Mr.  For- 
'/  iteir,  foriecuringthe  liberty  of  the 
'Vprefs,  by  preventing  the  publica- 
tion  of' libels."     By   this  bill  it 
Wis  enacted,  "  That  the  real  prin- 
"  ter  and  proprietor  of  every  news- 
u  paper  mould  make  an  affidavit  of 
"  his  name  and  place  of  residence, 
u  and    that  the   fame    ihould   be 
U  lodged  in  the  ftamp-office,  to  be 
u  produced  as  fuificient  evidence  in 
"  cafes  of  profecution  for  libels  : — 
"  That  they  fhould  further   enter 
"  each  into  a  recognizance  of  500I. 
u  to  anfwer  all  civil  fuits  that  mould 
"  be  inftituted  againft  them  in  fuch 
"  characters:  —  That  they    lhould 
"  take  no  money  for  putting  in  or 
",  having  in  any  ilanderous  articles, 
u  under  a  fevere  penalty  :  and  laft- 
",  ly,  that  the  hawker  of  any  Un- 
"  damped   inflammatory  or  libel- 
"  lous  paper  mould  be  compelled 
"  to  prove  from  whom  he  received 

*  "  it,  and  iliould  be  iubjedted  to  im- 

•  <f  prifonment  7/>/o  faSio  by  warrant 
'.«•  of  any  juftice  of  tho  peace." 

This  bill  was  ftrenuouily  oppofed 


in  both  houfes  of  parliament,  and 
feveral  petitions  were  prefente^ 
againft  it.  At  length  a  fort  of  com- 
promife  took  place.  The  mod  ob- 
noxious claufes,  thofe  relative  to  the 
recognizance,  and  the  imprifonment 
of  hawkers,  were  withdrawn,  and 
the  bill,  thus  modified,  pafled  with 
a  pretty  general  concurrence* 

Notwithftanding  the  vigorous  con- 
duct of  the  Irifh  government,  the 
City  of  Dublin  continued,  during  the 
whole  courfe  of  the  fummer  1785, 
to  beafcene  of  tumult  andefiforder. 
No   fooner   wai   parliament    rifen* 
J:ban  the  expedient  of  non^importa- 
tion  agreements  was  again  refortetT 
to  with  greater  zeal  than  ever.'— 
Thefe  engagements    fpread   them- 
felves  Into  every  Quarter  of  the  king- 
dom.— They  received   the  faa&ion 
of  feveral  grand  juries,  and  the  mer- 
chants of  the   trading  ports  found* 
themfelves  compelled  to  fubferibe  to 
them.     The  enforcing  of  thefe  pro- 
hibitory compacts  naturally  devolv- 
ed upon  the  loweft  clafs  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  they  proceeded  in  the  exe- 
cution of  this  truft  according  to  the 
moft  approved  modes  of  popular  dif- 
cipline.—To    keep    thefe    excefTes 
within   fome  bounds,  the  military 
were  polled  in  fuch  parts  of  the  city 
as  were  the  moft  tubjecl:  to  tumult, 
centinels  were  placed  to  prevent  or 
to  give  notice  of  thefirft  appearance 
,  of  riot,  and  the  garrifon  was  kept  in 
conftant  readinefs  for  action. 

This  untemporifing  difpofition  in 
government,  drew  on  the  lord  lieu- 
tenant, whole  manners  were.in  other 
refpe&s  peculiarly  adapted  to  ac- 
quire the  favour  of  that  nation,  an 
unufual  (hare  of  popular  odium,  the 
effects  of  which  he  had  frequently 
the  mortification  of  experiencing.  — 
In  once  int'tance  the  public  theatre 
was  chofen  to  be  the  fcene  of  mani- 

fefting 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE.  [13 

fefting  this  ill-humour.  He  was  re-  Irifh  par  lament,  in  January  178$; 
ceived  on  his  arrival  in  the  houfe  by  the  Britifh  cabinet,  in  concert  with 
the  performance  of  a  piece  of  mufic  commiflioners  appointed  on  the  part 
called  the  Volunteer  s  March,  A  ge-  of  Ireland,  had  formed  a  plan  for 
neral  uproar  enfued ;  the  entertain-  regulating  and  finally  adj lifting  the 
ments  of  the  evening  were  (topped  5  commercial  intercourle  between  th« 
and  it  was  faid  that  he  narrowly  ef-  two  kingdoms, 
caped  undergoing  one  of  thofe  ope-  On  the  7  th  of  February,.  Mr. 
rations  which  are  ufually  inflicted  Orde,  the  fecretary  to  the  lord  lieu- 
by  the  mob  on  perfons  who  have  the  tenant,  announced  this  fyftem  to  the 
misfortune  to  fall  under  their  dif-  houfe  of  commons,  and  oh  the  nth, 
pleafure.  a  fet  of  refolutions*,  which  he  had  be- 
Previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  fore  laid  on  their  table,  were  moved 

and 

*  Refolutions  faffed  by  the  Irlfi  houfe  of  commons* 

Refolded  \*  That  jt  is  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  that  it  is  highly  important 
to  the  intereft  of  the  Britifh  empire,  that  the  trade  between  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land be  extended  as  much  as  poffible,  and  for  that  purpofe  that  the  intercourfe  and 
commerce  be  finally  fettled  and  regulated  on  permanent  and  equitable  principles,  for 
the  mutual  benefit  of  both  countries.  ' 

Refolded  II.  That  towards  carrying;  into  full  effect  fo  defirable  a  fettlemejit,  it 
is  fit  and  proper  that  all  articles,  not  the  growth  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
Jhould  be  imported  into  each  kingdom  from  the  other,  under  the  fame  regulations, 
and  at  the  fame  duties,  if  fubject  to  duties,  to  which  they  are  liable  when  imported 
directly  from  the  place  of  their  growth,  product,  or  manufacture ;  and  that  all  du- 
ties originally  paid  on  importation,  to  ekher  country  refpectively,  (hall  be  drawn 
back  on  exportation  to  the  other. 

Refolded  III.  That  for  the  fame  purpofe,  it  is  proper  that  no  prohibition 
mould  exift  in  either  country  againft  the  importation,  ufe,  cr  fale  of  any  article, 
the  growth,  product,  or  manufacture  of  the  other;  and  that  the  duty  on  the  im- 
portation of  eveiy  fuch  article,  if  fubject  to  duty  in  either  country,  fhould  be  pre- 
cifely  the  fame  in  one  country  as  in  the  other,  except  where  an  addition  may  be  ne- 
ceffary  in  either  country,  in  confequence  of  an  internal  duty  on  any  fuch  article  of 
its  own  confumption.  • 

Refolded TV.  That  in  all  cafes  where, the  duties  on  articles  of  the  growth,  pro- 
duct, or  manufacture  of  either  country  are  different  on  the  importation  into  the 
Other,  it  would  be  expedient  that  they  fliould  be  reduced,  in  the  kingdom  where 
they  are  the  higheft,  to  the  amount  payable  in  the  other,  and  that  all  fuch  articles 
fhould  be  exportable  from  the  kingdom  into  which  they  fhall  be  imported,  as 
free  from  duty  as  the  funilar  commodities  or  home  manufactures  of  the  fame  king* 
dom.  * 

Refolded  V.  That  for  the  fame  purpofe,  it  is  alfo  proper  that  in  all  cafes  where 
either  kingdom  fhall  charge  articles  of  its  own  confumption  with  an  internal  duty 
on  the  manufacture,  or  a  duty  on  the  material,  the  fame  manufacture,  when  im- 
ported from  the  other,  may  be  charged  with  a  further  duty  on  importation,  to  the 
lame  amount  as  the  internal  duty  on  the  manufacture,  or  to  an  amount  adequate  to 
countervail  the  duty  on  the  material,  and  fhall  be  entitled  to  fuch  drawbacks  or 
bounties  on  exportation,  as  may  leave  the  fame  fubject  to  no  heavier  burthen  than 
the  home-made  manufacture;  fuch  further  duty  to  continue  fo- long  only  as  th^ 
internal  conlumption  fhall  be  charged  with  the  duty  or  duties,  to  balance  which  it 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


>4l         ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 

and  agreed  to  by  the  houfe  without  a  fpeech  of  confiderable  length  vrith 

much  difcuffion,  and  without  any  moving  the  following  general  refo- 

juaterial  alterations.    The  concur-  lntion  :  "  That  it  was  highly  impor* 

rence  of  the  houfe  of  peers  being  "  tantto  the  general  interefts  of  the 

icon  after  obtained,  thefe  refolutions  "  empire,  that  the  commercial  in- 

W<rc   immediately    tranfmitted  to  "  tercourfe  between  Great  Britain 

England,  as  the  propofed  bafis,  on  u  and  Ireland  fhould  be  finally  ad- 

the  part  of  that  country,  for  an  equi-  "  jufted,  and  that  Ireland  fhould  be 

table  and  final  adjuftment.  "  admitted    to  a  permanent    and 

Almoft  immediately  after  theirar-  "  irrevocable  participation  of  the 

'  livaJ^thebufinefs  was  opened  before  "  commercial  advantages   of  this 

a  committee  of  the  houfe  of  com-  t€  country,    when   her   parliament 

monfc  by  Mr.  Pitt,  who  concluded  "  fhould  permanently  and  irrevoca- 

fball  be  impofed,  or  until  the  manufacture  'coming  from  the  other  kingdom  (hall 
fee  fuhjected  there  to  an  equal  burthen,  not  drawn  back  or  compenfated  on  exporta- 
tion. 

Refolded 'VI.  That  in  order  to  give  permanency  to  the  fettlements  now  intended 
to  be  eftablifhed,  it  is  neceffary  that  no  prohibition,  or  new  or  additional  duties* 
fhould  be  hereaiter  impofed  hi  either  kingdom,  on  the  importation  of  any  article  of 
the  growth,  product,  or  manufacture  of  the  other,  except  fuch  additional  duties  as 
may'be  requiike  to  balance  duties  on  internal  consumption,  purfuant  to  the  fore* 
going  refoiution. 

Refolded  VII.  That  for  the  fame  purpofe,  it  is  neceffary  further  that  no  prohi- 
bitions, or  new  additional  duties,  mould  be  hereafter  impofed  on  either  kingdom, 
en  the  exportation  of  any  article  of  native  growth,  product,  or  manufacture,  from 
thence  to  the  other,  except  fuch  as  either  kingdom  may  deem  expedient  from  time 
to  time,  upon  corn,  meal,  malt,  flour,  and  bifcuit  5  and  alfo,  except  where  there 
now  exifts  any  prohibition,  which  is  not  reciprocal,  or  any  duty,  which  is  not  equal, 
in  both  kingdoms  ;  in  every  which  cafe  the  prohibition  may  be  made  reciprocal, 
or  the  duties  railed  fo  as  to  make  them  equal, 

Rejohved  VIII.  That  for  the  fame  purpoie,  it  is  neceffary  that  no  bounties  what- 
fbever  mould  be  paid  or  payable  in  either  kingdom,  on  the  exportation  of  any 
article  to  the  other,  except  fuch  as  relate  to  corn,  meal,  malt,  flour,  and  bifcuits, 
and  iiich  as  are  in  the  nature  of  drawbacks  or  compenfations  for  duties  paid  $  and 
that  no  bounties  mould  be  granted  in  this  kingdom,  on  the  exportation  of  any  ar- 
ticle imported  from  the  Britifh  plantations,  or  any  manufacture  made  of  fuch  ar- 
ticle, unlefs  in  cafes  where  a  fitnilar  bounty  is  payable  in  Britain  on  exportation 
from  thence,  or  where  fuch  bounty  is  merely  in  the  nature  of  a  drawback,  or 
compenfation  of  or'  for  duties  paid  over  and  above  any  duties  paid  thereon  i* 
Britain. 

Refolded  IX.  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  general  benefit  of  the  Britifh  empire, 
that  the  importation  of  articles  from  foreign  ftates  fhould  be  regulated  from  time 
to  time,  in  each  kingdom,  on  fuch  terms  as  may  afford  an  effectual  preference  to 
the  importation  of  fimilar  articles  of  the  growth,  produce,  or  manufacture  of  the 
other. 

Refolded  X.  That  for  the  better  protection  of  trade,  whatever  fum  the  grofs 
hereditary  revenue  of  this  kingdom  (after  deducting  all  drawbacks,  re-payments, 
or  bounties  granted  in  the  nature  of  drawbacks)  mall  produce  annually,  over  and 
above  the  fum  of  £.  fhould  be  appropriated  towards  the  fupport  of  the 

naval  for  a  of  the  empire,  xnjucb  manner  as  the  parliament  •/  tkh  kingdom  mall 
direct.  , 


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HISTORY  OF  EUROPE. 


*  bly  fecure  an  aid  out  of  the  fur- 
u  plus  of  the  hereditary  revenue  of 
u  that  kingdom,  towards  defraying 
"  the  expence  of  protecting  the  ge- 
u  neral  commerce  of  the  empire  in 
u  time  of  peace." 

Mr.  Pitt,  after  taking  a  review  of 
what  had  already  been  granted  to 
Ireland  by  the  Britifh  parliament, 
obferved,  That  the  conceffions  now 
propofed  to  be  made  to  that  king- 
dom, in  order  to  put  the  two  coun- 
tries on  a  .fair  and  equal  footing,  he 
fhould  reduce  to  two  heads : 

Firft,  7  he  importation  of  the  pro~ 
dace  of  our  colonies  in  the  Weft  Indies 
and  America  through  Ireland  into  Great 
Britain. 

Second,  A  mutual  exchange  between 
the  two  countries  of  their  refpefiive  pro- 
ductions and  manufactures  t  upon  equal 
terms. 

With  regard  to  the  firft,  he  allow- 
ed it  had  the  appearance  of  militat- 
ing again  ft  the  navigation  laws,  for 
which  England  had  ever  had  the 
greateft  partiality.  But  as  fhe  had 
already  allowed  Ireland  to  trade  im- 
mediately and  directly  with  the  co- 
lonies, he  could  not  fee  how  the  im- 
porting of  the  produce  of  thofe  co- 
lonies circuitoufly  through  Ireland 
into  Great  Britain  could  injure  the 
colonial  trade  of  this  country  /which 
was  a  direct  one,  and  therefore  to  be 
made  at  a  lefs  expence  and  rifque, 
than  that  which  was  circuitous. 

In  return  for  thefe  conceflions  on 
the  part  of  Great  Britain,  he  pro- 
pofed that  Ireland  fhould  agree  to 
the' payment  of  a  certain  ftipulated 
furo,  yearly,  out*  of  thefurplus  of  her 
hereditary  revenue,  towards  defray* 
ing  the  general  expences  of  the  em* 
pire. 


[15 

feuch  was  the  general  outline  of 
the  propofed  fyftem  on  its  firft  aj*- 
pearancq.  In  the  outfet,  both  thofe 
wi  th  in  and  thofe  without  doorsfeem-  ' 
ed  to  comprehend  but  little,  and  to 
be  ftill  lefs  cdncerned  about  an  ob- 
ject of  fuch  extent  and  importance. 
A  fortnight  elapfed  before  the  fub- 
ject  again  made  its  appearance  | 
during  which  interim  a  report, 
prepared  by  a  committee  of  the 
board  of  trade  and  plantations,  was 
,  laid  by  the  minifter  upon  the  table 
of  the  houfe  of  commons,  to  afiiit  its 
deliberations.  This  report  was  ftat- 
ed  to  be  founded  upon  the,  declara- 
tions and  opinions  of  fome  of  the 
principal  manufacturers  and  mer- 
chants in  the  kingdom,  who  had 
been  examined  by  the  above-men- 
tioned committee ;  and  its  particu- 
lar object  was, to  prove  the  expedi- 
ency of  that  part  of  the  fy  ftem  which 
related  to  reducing  the  duties  pay- 
able upon  the  importation  of  Irifh  * 
produce  and  manufactures  jntoGreat 
Britain,  to  what  the  fame  fort  of  ar- 
ticles, were  charged  with  in  this 
country*.  x  :    * 

In  the  mean  time  the  merchants 
and  manufacturers'  who  had  been 
examined  before  the  committee, 
joined  by  great  numbers  of  others 
from  every  part  of  the  nation,  met 
together  for1  the  purpofe  of  taking 
tlje  Irifh  proportions  into  their  con- 
federation. —  During  the  courfe  of 
their  proceedings  it  appeared,  that 
the  opinions  of  the  former  were  in 
direct  contradiction  to  the  inferen- 
ces which  had  been  drawn  from  their 
examination  in  the  report  laid  be- 
fore parliament.  Whether  this  was 
•occalioned  by  any  change  which, 
..upon  a  fuller  confideration/-had  tar 


Sec  refolutions  3  and  4,  page  13  ante. 


ken 


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*6]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


ken  place  in  the" minds  of  the  mer- 
chants and  manufacturers  them- 
selves, or  whether  the  committee  of 
the  board  of  trade  and  plantations 
had  drained  and  perverted' their  de- 
clarations, it  is  not  eafy  to  deter- 
mine. However,  the  confequence 
was,  that  it  threw  a  considerable  de- 
gree of  discredit  upon  the  report  it- 
felfi  and  Teemed  to  point  out  the  ne- 
ceffity  there  was  for  the  houfe  of 
commons  to  examine  the  different 
,  commercial  and  manufacturing  bo- 
dies concerned,  at  their  own  bar. 
This  mode  of  proceeding  gave  the 
firft  check  to  the  fyftem  in  its  pro- 
grefs  through  the  houfe,  whilft  with- 
out doors  it  became  more  unpopu- 
lar, in  proportion  as  it  became  more 
thoroughly  investigated. 

March  and    '    DurinS  the  months 
March  and  q{  March   and  A  ^ 

April  1,05.  and  untn  the  mlddle 
c£  May,  the  houfe  was  occupied  in 


receiving  the  petitions,  and  hearing 
the  evidence  of  manufacturers  and 
merchants  of  ever}-  dcfcription. 

This  laborious  and  minute  mocte 
of  investigation  being -gone  through, 
the  proportions  were  again  brought 
n/in„  ,,«-k    forward  by  Mr.  Pitt,  on 

'  **8 :  '  the  I2lh.of  M*y>  but- 
'  5'  with  a  variety  of  amend- 
ments, variations,  and  additions.— 
To  the  original  fet^  of  propofitions, 
ten  new  ones  were  added,  Some  of 
them  only  Supplemental  to,  and  ex- 
planatory of  the  former ,*but  feveral 
containing  much  new  and  important 
matter  5  we  Shall  therefore  lay  them, 
as  they  now  Stood,  at  large  before 
our  readers,  in  the  note  below  *. 

Tke  chief  obje&s  of.  the  additi- 
onal propositions  were  to  provide, 
1  St,  That  whatever  navigation  laws 
the  British  parliament  Should  here- 
after find  it  neceflary  to  eriaft  for 
the  prefervation  of  her  marine,  the 

fame 


*  I.  That  it  is  highly  important  to  the  interefts  of  both  countries,  that  the  com- 
merce between  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  mould  be  finally  regulated  on  permanent' 
and  equitable  principles,  for  the  mutual  benefit  of  both  countries. 

II.  That  a  full  participation  of  commercial  advantages  Should  be  permanently 
fecured  to  Ireland,  whenever  a  provifion,  equally  permanent  and  fecure,  fhall  be 
made  by  the  parliament  of  that  kingdom  towards  defraying,  in  proportion  to  Its 
growing  profperity,  the  nectfiary  expences  in  time  of  peace,  of  protecting  the  trade 
and  general  interefts  of  the  empire. 

III.  That  towards  carrying  into  full  effecl:  fo  defirable  a  fettlemcnt,  it  is  fit  and 
proper  that  all  articles,  not  the  growth  or  manufacture  of  Great  Britain  or  Ire- 
land, "*  except  thofe  of  the  growth;  produce,  or  manufacture,  of  any  of  the  coun- 
"  tries  beyond  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  to  the  Streightsof  Magellan,"  Should  be 
imported  into  each  kingdom  from  the  other  reciprocally K  under  the  fame  regula- 
tions, and  at  the  fame  duties  (if  fubjeft  to  duties)  to  which  they  "  would  be,% 
liable  when  imported  directly  from  the  "  country  or  place  from  whence  the  fame 
"  may  have  been  imported  into  Great  Britain  or  Ireland  refpe&ively,  as  the  cafe 
M  may  be  j"  and  that  all  duties  originally  paid  on  importation  into  either  country 
refpec~tively,  except  on  arrack  and  foreign  brandy,  and  on  rum,  and  all  forts  of 
Strong  waters,  not  imported  from  the  Britiih  colonies  hi  the  Weft  Indies,  ilhall  be 
fully  drawn  back  on  exportation  to  the  other.  "  But>  neverthelefs,  that  the  duties 
"  (hall  continue  to  be  protected  and  guarded,  as  at  prefent,  by  withholding  the 
«'  drawback,  until  a  certificate  from  the  proper  officers  of  the  revenue,  in  the  ktng- 
"  denf  to  which  the  export  may  be  made,  fhall  be  retumtd  and  compared  with  the 
"  entry  outwards.** 

IV.  That, 


Digitized 'by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY  OF  EUROPE,         [17 

faipe  fhould  b$  parTed  by,the  legifla-  other  We&  India  niferchan4izes  thaii 
tiirc  of  Ireland,  idly,  Againft  tb$  fuch  aa  were  the  produce  of  our  own 
importing  into  Ireland,  and  from  colonies;— and  3dl)r,  That  Ireland 
thence  into  Great  Britain,  of  any    fliould  debar  itfe&frdm  trading  to 

anjr 

.  IV.  That  it  ji  lughly  .important  to  the  genera)  interefts  of  the  Britifli  empire, 
that  the  laws  for  regulating  trade  and  navigation  mould  be  the  fame  in  Great  Bri- 
tain and  Ireland  $  and,  therefore,  that  it, is  eiTential,  towards  carry in*  into  effect 
the  prefent  fettlement,  thaf  ail  laws  which  hfrve  been  made,  or  mall  be  made, 
in  Great  Britain,  for  fecuring  cxclufive.  privileges  to  the  (hips  and  mariners  of 
Ureat  Britain^  Ireland,  and  the  Britifh  colonies  and  plantations,  and  for  regulaU 
$ng  and  reftraming  the  trade  of  the  Britifh  colonies  and  plantations,  "  fuch  laws 
**  im  poling  the  fame  reftraints,  and  conferring  the  fame  benefits  on  the  fubjecls  of 
f<r  both  kingdoms,  mould''  be  in  force  in  Ireland,  ««  by  laws  to  be  patted  by  the 
J'  parliament  of  that  kingdom  for  the  fame  time,  and'*  in  ihe  fame  manner  as  iii 
Great  Britain.      "....'..  .  4 

V.  That  it  is  farther  eflential  to  this  fettlenient,  that  all  goods  and  commodities 
of  the  growth,  produce,  or  manufacture  of  Britifh  or  foreign  colonies  in  Ame- 
rica, or  the  Weft  Indies  $  and  the  Britifli  or  foreign  fettlemerits  on  the  coaft  of 
Africa,  imported  into  Ireland,  mould,  on  importation,  he  fubje£t  to  the  fame 
duties  "and  regulations"  as  the  like  goods  are,  or  from  time  to  time  (hall  be 
fubjc&  to,  upon  importation  into  Great  tfritainj  '•  or  if  prohibited  from  being 
•!  imported  into  Great  Britain,  mall  in  like  manner  Be  prohibited  from  being  im» 
*'  ported  into  Ireland.**    .  ,.,#  •         i  . 

.  VI.  That  in  order  to  prevent  illicit  practices,  injurious  to  the  revenue  and  com-. 
hierce  of  both  kingdoms,,  it  is  expedient  that  all  goods,  whether  of  the  growth; 
produce',  or  manufacture  of  Gresft  Britain  or  Ireland,  or  of  any  foreign  country, 
Which  (hall  hereafter  be  imported  irito  Great  Britain  from  Ireland*  or  into  Ireland 
from  Great  Britain,  fhould  be  put,  by  laws  to  be  parted  in  the  parliament  of  the 
two  kingdoms,  under  the  fame  regulations  w*hh  refpeft  to  bonds,  cockets,  aid 
tother  inftruments,  to  which  the  like  goods  are  now  fubje&  in  J>afimg  from  on* 
.  |ibit:  of  Great  Britain  to  another. 

VII.  That  for  tAe  like  purppfe,  it  is  alfo  expedient  that  when  any  goods,  the 
growth;  produce,  or  manufacture  of  the  Britifh  Wefl  India  Iflands,  "  or  ta\f 
y  other  of  the  Britim  colonies  or  plantations/*  ma  IT  be  (hipped  from  Ireland  for 
Great  Britain,  they  fhould  be  accompanied  with  fuch  original  certificates  of  the  . 
revenue  officers  of  the  faid  colonies  as  (hall  be  required  by  the  law  on  importation 
into  Great  Britain ;  and  that  when  the  whole  quantity  included  in  one  certificate 
thall  not  be  flapped  at  any  one  time,  the  original  certificate,  properly  indorfed  as, 
to  quantity,  mould  he  (eht  with  the  firft  parcel  j  and  to  identify  the  remainder,  if 
1  at  any  future  period,  new  certificates  mould  be  granted  tiy  the  principal 
*  1  Irelarid,  extracted  from  a  regifter  of  the  original  documents, 


officers i  of  the  ports  in  1  ,    .  „  , 

fpecifying  the  quaiititles  before  (Hipped  from*  thence,  by  what  reikis,  ahd  to  what 
ports.  .  j 

VIII.  Thit  it  is  eflential  for  fcartying  iritb  effect  the  prefent  £ttlement,  that  all 
goods  exported  from  tf-eland  to  the  Britifh  colonies  in  the  Weft  Indies,  or  id 
America,  "  or  to  ,tb*  britifli  fettlements  on-  the  coaft  of  Africa,"  mould  from 
time  to  time  be  made  liable  to  tilth  duties  arid  drawbacks,  and  put  under  fuch  re- 
guiations  ai  niay  be  rieceflary,  in  order  that  the  fame  may  not  be  exported  with  lefs 
Incumbrance  o(dutks^  or  impofition  than  the  like  goods  (hall  be  burdened  with  when 
exported  from  Great  Britain. 

"  IX.  That  it  is  eJTcmial  to  the  general  commercial  intercfts  of  the  empire, 
tToL.XXVHL  I*]  '**&* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


Iny'of  ^!0NUAL     RE&l6*SR,    I7»6. 

CapeofG^dCHTn?rn,u%?d^  **    charter  of  thc  Engli(h  Erfft  Ind& 
of  Magellan  fo  lonV    t?citrcifh*«    Company. 

thought  necriTarv  f  J**  !t  .  0uld  .bc       In  the  courfc  of  the  debates  upon 
^  to  Contmue  the    the  propofitions  as  they  flood  with- 

thelfe^ 
**  that  f>  long  as  the       v 

««  commerce  to  the  coimf-  T"nt  °f  this  kingf!om  ftair  think  it  advifeable  that  the 
«  byanexclufivecomt«nlel  y°nf  thc  CaPc  of  GoodH°pe  fhall  he  carried  on  fokly : 
«  goods  of  theerowth  y'  j  nS  Ilherty to  import  into  thc  port  of  London  only,  no 
*+  of  Good  Hope  (hmiMPL  •  CC'  °f  ma,u,fa£hlre  of  *ny  Countries  beyond' the  Cane 
«<  from  any  fettlement  V.  Jt  l3*rtaWe  into  Inland  from  any  foreign  country,  or 
«  that  no  goods  of  riL  he7'aft  Indies  belonging  to  any  fuch  foreign  country;  and 
-.  u„  -n_.     .  «e  growth.  nmrl.,«.   -,  ™«„,.r,xv.,^  ofthe  faid  countries  fhou  Id 

Great  Britain  j  and  it  (hall 


"  of  the  coiiritne,  K  j  5  Is  or  tne  growth>  produce,  or  manufactu 
«  from  Great  S„y,°n?  i  faPe  of  Gocd  HoPe  to  the  s'™ghts  °f 
«  retained  on  then  Y  '  lrdand»  Wltl*  thc  fame  dutic»  retained  thereon  as  are  now 
«  kept  of  the  dn-L  .g-eXP0rled  to  that  ^"g^0"1  >  but  that  an  account  mail  be 
«  Ireland:  and  Vw\l  ed'  and  the  nett  dl*wback  on  the  faid  goods  imported  to' 
«  of  his  maieftvvf  \a  "P01)!.*  fhtreof  mal1  be  remitted  hY  the  receiver-general 
«*  Ireland  to  b*  ,,£  T*18  '?  reat  Britain  t0  the  ProPer  officer  of  the  revenue  in 
«  the  difpofal  of \hl  '?•  accollnt  °f  bis  majefty's  revenue  there,  fubjea  to. 
«  merceto  the  f •/  Pa,Iiame"t  of  that  kingdom;  and  that  whenever  the  com- 
««  in  the  eoc*l« Vf  ?i  coumries  ma"  ceafe  to  be  carried  on  by  an  exclufive  company 
"  Streiahu  of  M,  n  pr0d,UCtf  of  countric*  beyon<*  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  to  the 
"  tries  from lw  ig  t"9  tht  g0ods  fhoi,,d  *  imPortable  into  Ireland  from  coun, 
"  that  no  vriSl?  .S™3?  **  imP°rtable  to  Great  Britain,  and  no  other;  and  ' 
«  from  the  cl  T^  bf  deared  out  from  Irelaild  for  «*  Pa*  of  the  countries 
"  befreshted£i r    p0?^  Hope  to  the  Streights  Of  Magellan,  but  inch  as  (hall 

"  the  nort  If V    I  ?  thc  faid  eXCl"five  CDmPany>  and  ™aI1  ha™  <*«  from 

"  faid  Zn*V  u  J  3nd  that  the  miPs  SoinS  from  Gieat  Britain  to  any  of  the 
«  touchl^ I/"*  y.?nud  the  CaPe  of  Good  HoI*  ftOTld  not  b*  reftrained  from 
«  o«kU  nf  fi    any ■of1the.P°rt»  ^  Ireland,  and  taking  on   board  there  any  of  the 

gooos  or  the  growth,  produce,  or  manufaaure  of  that  kingdom." 
,,,,'?  no  prohibition  mould  exift,  in  either  country,  againft  the  importation,4 
«r*n?<irK  7  artlcle»  tbe  growth,   produce,  or  manufaaure  o*f  the  other: 

™ZPJlli  hasfeither  kingdom  may  judge  expedient,  from  time  to  time,  upon 
HS  'w!  and  bi,cllits5  "and  except  fuch  qualified  prohibitions, 
«c  r  iPm  comam*d  in  a«y  a&  of  the  Britirti  or  Irifh  parliament,  as  do  not  ab- 
«  n.  f  a7  P1*6^"' the  importation  of  goods  or  manufaaures,  or  materials- of  ma- 
^  nuiactures,  but  only  regulate  the  weight,  the  fize,  the  packages,  or  other  par- 
«  fv"  ^  circllm/tanLces?  or  prefcribe  the  built  or  country,  and  dimenfions  of  the 
«<  A  !n'P0Iting  tne  lameJ  and  alfo,  except  on  ammunition^  arms,  gunpowder, 
nnHk  °  y  l!tenfl,s  of  war,  importable  only  by  virtue  of  his  majefty's  licence;" 
aw  that  the  duty  on  the  importation  of  every  fuch  article  (if  fubjea  to  duty  in 
eitner  country)  mould  be  precifely  the  fame  in  the  one  country  as  in  the  other, 
except  where  an  addition  may  be  neceiTary  in  either  country,  in  confluence  of  au 
internal  duty  on  any  fuch  article  of  its  own  consumption,  "  or  in  confequehce  of 
««  int^™J  bounties  in  the  country  where  fuch  article  is  grown,  produced,  or  ma- 
u  J^faaured,  a»d  except  fuch  duties  as  either  kingdom  may  judge  expedient, 
nom  time  to  time,  upon  corn,  meal,  malt,  flour,  and  bifcuits.r 

c  Jhat  in  a11  CaIes  wn^re  the  d"ties  on  articles  of  tl>e  growth,  produce,  or 
roanuiaaure  of  either  country,  arc  different  on  the  impottation  into  the  other,  it, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE.  [19 

thdfe  amendments  and  additions, .  the  fyftem  altogether)  was  thtfeurik* 
that  which  met  with  the  moft  vigo-  in  which  Great  Britain,  it  was  a& 
rousoppoihion  (independent  of  fuch  ferted,  affumed  both  a  prefent  and 
general  reafoning  as  went  againft    future  power  to  bind  Ireland  by  fuc^h 

is  expedient  that  they  fliould  be  reduced,  in  the  kingdom  where  they  are  the  htgheft* 
to  "  an  amount  not  exceeding"  the  amount  payable  in  the  other;  "  lb  that 
^  **  t\\e  fame  (hall  not  be  lei's  than  ten  and  a  halt  per  cent*  where  any  article  waa 
"  charged  with  a  duty,  on  importation  into  Ireland,  of  ten  and  aialf  per  cent« 
".  or  upwards,  previous  to  the  17th  day  of  May,  1782  j"  and  that  all  fuch  arti* 
cles  mould  be  exportable,  from  the  kingdom  into  which  they  (hall  be  imported* 
as  free  from  duty  as  the  fimilar  commodities  or  home  manufactures  of  the  lame 
kingdom.  ..  ■  ■» 

XII.  That  it  is  alfo  proper,  that  in  all  cafes  where  the  articles  of  the  confump* 
tion  of  either  kingdom  mall  be  charged  with  an  internal  duty  on  the  manufacture, 
the  faid  manufacture,  when  imported  from  the  other,  may  be  charged  with  a  far- 
ther duty  on  importation,  adequate  to  countervail  the  internal  duty  on  the  manu- 
facture <c  as  far  as  relates  to  the  duties  now  charged  thereon ;"  iuch  farther  duty 
to  continue  (6  long  only  as  the  internal  confumption  (hall  be  charged  with  the 
duty,  or  duties  to  balance  which  it  mail  be  impofed ;  and  that  where  there  is  a  duty 
on  the  importation  of  the  raw  material  of  aiiy  manufacture  in  one  kingdom, 
greater  than  the  like  duty  on  raw  material  in  tlie  other,  fuch  manufacture  may, 
on  its-  importation  "  into  the  other  kingdom,"  be  charged  with  iuch  a  cdunter* 
vailing  duty  as  may  be  fufHcient  to  fubject  the  fame,  tp.  imported,  to  *«  burdens 
««  adequate  to  thofe  which"  the  manufacture  compofed  of  the  Jike  raw  material 
is  fubject  to,  in  confequence  of  duties  on  .the  importation*  of  fuch  material  in  the 
kingdom  into  which  fuch  manufacture  is  fo  imported  y  and  the  faid  manufacture, 
fo  imported,  mail  be  entitled  to  fuch  drawbacks  or  bounties  on  exportation,  as 
may  leave  the  fame  fubject  to-  no  heavier  burden  than  the  home-made  manufac- 
ture.       —  ,  • 

XIII.  That,  in  order  to  give  permanency  to  the  fettlement  now  intended  to  be 
eftabliftied,  it  is  necefTary  that  no  new  or  additional  duties  mould  be  hereafter  im- 
pofed, in  either  kingdom,  on  the  importation  of  any  article  of  the  growth,  pro- 
duce, or  manufacture  of  the  other  j  except  fuch  additional  duties-  as  may  be  re* 
quifite  to  balance  the  duties  on  internal  confumption,  purfuant  to  the  foregoing 
resolution,  t€  or  in  confequence  of  bounties  remaining  on  fuch  articles  when  ex* 
"  ported  from  the  other  kingdom." 

XIV.  That  for  the  fame  purpofe,  it  is  neceflary,  farther,  that  no  prohibition,  or 
new  or  additional  duties,  mail  be  hereafter  impofed  in  either  kingdom,  on  the  ex* 
portation  of  any  article  of  native  growth,  produce,  or  manufacture,  from  "  the 
"  one  kingdom*'  to  the  other,  except  iuch  as  either  kingdom  may  deem  expedient, 
from  time  to  time,  upon  corn,  meal-,  malt,  flour,  and  bifcuits. 

XV.  That  for  the  fame  purpofe,  it  is  necefTary  that  no  bounties  whatfoevcr 
mould  be  paid  or  payable  in  either  kingdom,  on  the  exportation  of  any  article  to 
the  other,  except  fuch  as  relate  tQ  corn,  meal,  malt,  flour,  and  bifcuits,  '«'  aifd  ex* 
«'  cept  alfo  the  bounties  at  prefent  given  by  Great*  Britain  on**  beer,  and  ipirit* 
diftilled  from  corn;  and  fuch  as  are  in  the  nature  of  drawbacks;  or' compenfation s 
for  duties  paid  j  and  that  no  bounty  fhould  be  €t  payable"  on  the  exportation  of  , 
any  article  to  any  Britifh  colonies  or  plantations,  €(  or  to  the  Britifh  fettleftienta  on 
tl  the  coaft  of  Africa"  or  on  the  exportation  of  any  article  imported  from  the 
Britifh  plantations,  "  or  from  the  Britifh  fettlemetfts  on  the  coaft  of  Africa,  or 
ts  Britifh  fettlements  in  the  Ealt  Indies ;"  or  any  manufacture  made  of  fuch  artt* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


rfo]         ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 

aft*  is  (he  <ho\fld  pafs  relative  to  the  own  ftatutes— That  it  was  a  refomp 
trade  and  commerce  of  both  king-  tioh  of  the  right  of  legislating  for 
Horns  This  was  dated  to  be  di-  Ireland,  which  this  country  had  re- 
reaiv  in  the  teeth  of  what  had  been  nounced— That  it  was  bartering  the 
folenmlv  ftipulated  betwixt  the  two  liberties  of  Ireland  for  the  advan* 
kingdoms,  namely,  that  Ireland  was  tages  held  out  to  that  kingdom  by 
in  Ui  tore  oply  to  be  bound  by  her  the  fyllem  now  propofed,  and  there- 
tie  unlefs  in  cafes  where  a  fimllar  bounty  is  payable  in  Great  Britain,  on  expor- 
tation from  thence,  or  where  inch  bounty  is  merely  in  the  nature  of  a  drawback  or 
comnenfation  of  or  for  duties  paid,  over  and  above  any  duties  paid  thereon  in  Bri- 
tain 1  and  where  "  any  internal  bounty  (hall  be  given  in  either  kingdom,  on  any 
««  foods  manufactured  therein,  and  (hall  remain  on  fuch  goods  when  exported,  a 
««  countervailing  duty  adequate  thereto  may  be  laid  upon  the  importation  of  the 
e*  fnid  roods  into  the  other  kingdom.** 

XVI  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  general  benefit  of  the  Britifh  empire,  that  the 
•moortation  of  articles  from  foreign  "  countries'*  fhould  be  regulated  from  time  to 
t  me  in  each  kingdom,  on  fuch  terms  as  may  "  effectually  favour**  the  importation 
of  limilar  articles  of  the  growth,  produa,  or  manufacture  of  the  other}  "  except 
««  in  the  cafe  of  materials  of  manufactures,  which  are,  or  hereafter  may  be  al- 
••  lowed  to  be  imported  from  foreign  countries,  duty-free  j  and  that  in  all  cafes 
*•  where  any  articles  are  or  may  be  fubject  to  higher  duties  on  importation  into 
••  this  kingdom,  from  the  countries  belonging  to  any  of  the  dates  of  North  Ame- 
»*  rira  thaji  die  lilpe  goods  are  or  maybe  fubject  to  when  imported,  as  the  growth, 
•«  moduce,  or  manufacture  of  the  Britifh  colonies  and  plantations,  or  as  the  pro- 
u  duct  of 'the  fimeries  carried  on  by  Britifh  fubjefts,  fuch  articles  ^all  b«  fubject 
•«  to  the  fame  duties  on  importation  into  Ireland,  from  the  countries  belonging  to 
««  any  of  the  ftates^f  North  America,  as  the  fame  are  or  may  be  fubject  to  on  im- 
•«  wortation  from  the  (aid  countries  into  this  kingdom.** 

,\  XVII.  That  it  is  expedient  that  meafures  mould  be  taken  to  prevent  difputes 
m  touching  the  cxercife  of  the  right  of  the  inhabitants  of  each  kingdom  to  fifh  on  the 
c  <  coaft  of  any  part  of  the  Britifh  dominions.*' 

XVIII*  Tiiat  it  is  expedient  that  '•  fuch  privileges  of  printing  and  vending 
c<  books  as  are  or  may  be  legally  pofTefftd  within  Great  Britain,  under  tlie  grant  of 
«  the  crown  or  otherwife,  and'  the  co;y*rights  of  the  authors  and  bookJellers  of 
Great  Britain,  fhould  continue  to  be  protected  in  the  manner  they  arc  at  prefent, 
.  (|1C  jawS  of  Great  Britain  ;  and  that  it  is  jufl  that  meafures  fhould  be  taken  by 
the  parliament  of  Ireland  forgiving  the  like  protection  to  the  copy-rights  of  the 
authors  and  bookfellers  of  that  kingdom. 

Xi  X.  "  >Tbat  it  is  expedient  that  regulations  fhould  be  adopted  with  refpect  to 
««  patents  to  be  hereafter  granted  for  the  encouragement  of  new  inventions,  fo  that 
«•  the  rights,  privileges,  and  reftriclions  thereon  granted  and  contained,  mall  be  of 
««  equal  duratipn  and  force  throughout  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.*' 

XX.  That  the  appropriation  of  whatever  fum  tlie  grofs  hereditary  revenue  of 
v  the  kingdom  of  Ireland  (tlie  due  collection  thereof  being  fee u red  by  permanent 
provifions)  (hall  produce,  after  deducting  all  drawbacks,  re-paymenfs,  or  bounties 
{■ranted  in  the  nature  of  drawbacks,  over  and  above  the  fum  of  fix  hundred  and 
gftyvfix  thoufand  pounds  in  each  year,  towards  the  fupport  of  the  naval  force  of 
the  empire,  to  be  applied  in  fuch  manner  as  the  parliament  of  Ireland  (hall  direct, 
!,«  an  act  to  be  palled  for  that  purpofe,  will  be  a  fatisfactory  provifion,  propor- 
tjootd  to  thejjrowing  profperity  of  that  kingdom,  towards  defraying,  in  time  of 
y^ce,  the  ncctflary  expences  of  protecting  the  trade  and  general  intcrsfls  of  the 
ipire. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


It  i 


by  purchasing  IriSh  Slavery  at  the 
expence  of  EngliSh  comtaerce. 

With  refpefi  to  the  lait  propoii- 
tion,  which  ftipula  ted,  thrt  whenever 
there  mould  be  a  furplus  of  the 
revenue  of  Ireland,  over  and  above 
the  fum  of  656,0001.  fuch  furplus 
fhould  be  applied  to  the  fupport  of 
the  British  navy,  it  was  urged,  that 
if  this  was  held  forth  as -a  compen^ 
fation  for  advantages  voluntarily  re- 
.  figned  by  Great  Britain,  nothing 
could  be  more  fallacious,  the  prefent 
net  revenue  of  that  kingdom  being 
Kttle  more  than  333,0001.  and  there- 
fore little  more  than  half  the  ftipu- 
lated  fum,  overand  above  which  the 
furplus  only  was  to  be  applied  in 
aid  of  the  public  revenue  of  this 
country. 

The  arguments  which  were  of- 
fered generally,  and  againii  the 
whole  of  the  propofed  fyfteni,  went 
chiefly  upon  the  fuppofed  injftry 
which  the  manufaclurft  and  commerce 
of  Great  Britain  would  fuliain  from 
it :  the  former,  from  the  compara- 
tive frnall  price  of  labour  in  Ire- 
land, which  alone,  it  was  contend- 
ed, would  foon  enable  that  king- 
dom to  underfell  us  both  at  home 
and  abroad  ;  the  latter,  from  the 
facility  with  which  it  was  well 
known  the  revenue  laws  in  Ireland 
were  evaded. 

The  impoHibility  of  preventing 
the  clandeiline  importation  of  a  va- 
riety of  the  molt  important  articles, 
was  ftrongly  infilled  on ;  and  it  was 
added,  that  the  competition  which 
would  arife  betwixt  the  two  king- 
doms, which  fhould  tell  cheapest, 
would  of  courfe  encreaie  the  evil. 


Finally,  it  was  argued,  that  fuch 
was  the  nature  of  the  proportions, 
that  in  whatever  proportion  one 
country  might  benefit  from  them/ 
in  the  very  fame  the  other  would  be- 
come a  lofer ;  and  that  as  to  Ire* 
land,  whether  the  advantages  gained 
on  her  part  were  great  or  Small,  they 
were  to  be  purchafed  at  the  price  ox 
her  liberty. 

In  favour  of  the  fyftem  it  was 
argued,  that  it  was  a  meafure  of  ab- 
folute  necelfity,  in  order  to  put  an 
end  to  the  discontents  which  pre- 
vailed to  To  alarming  a  degree  in  the 
filter  kingdom. — That  if  the  prefent 
propositions  were  not  patted  into  a 
law,  all  that  had  already  been  done' 
in  favour  of  Ireland  would  prove 
nugatory,  as  it  was  clearly  inade- 
quate to  the  expectations  of  that 
country. 

That  with*refpe&  to  the  fourth 
propofition,  it  was  a  condition  which 
the  fafety  of  our  own  navigation 
laws  made  it  neceflary'to  annex  to 
the  boon  granted  >o  Ireland.— That 
it  was  unfair  to  infer  from  hence 
that  tjie  Britiih  legillature  had  any 
views  of  trenching  on  the  inde* 
pendencc  of  Ireland,  Jince  it  left 
to  that  kingdom  the  option  of  tak* 
iag  or  refuting  the  advantages  held 
out  to  her,  fubjeci  to  fuch  a  con-* 
dition.  That  the  condition  itfelf 
was  fuch  as  had  frequently  been 
adopted  in  the  negotiations  of  inde>  . 
pendent  States— as  in  the  late  treaty 
betwixt  this  kingdom  and  France, 
when  the  latter  bound  herfelf  to  pub* 
lifh  certain  edicts,  as  loon  as  other 
edi&s  Stipulated  on  our  part  were 
publifhed  by  this  country  tv 

With 


•  In  anfwer  to  this  argument,  Mr.  Fox  replied,  that  in  the  c*fe-  flated,  one  na- 
tion bound  itfelf  to  do  fometliing  defottxl  and  ipecific,  when  the  other  adopted  fome 
other  defined  and  fpeciuc  mealure.    To  mike  tfcc  cafes  ftmilar,  an  instance  Should 
r  *        1*1  J  be 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


fla]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


With  refpe£t  to  the  difadvantages 
which  it  had  been  fuppofed  our  ma- 
nufacturers would  have  to  encounter 
from  \he  comparative  fmall  price  of 
labour  in  Inland,  rt  wasfaidfuch  a 
fiippofition  arole  from  a  mifconcep- 
tion  of  fa£r.s-~That  the  wages  of 
artizans  and  manufa6r.urers,although 
riot  of  common  labourers,  were 
higher  there  than  in  this  country, 
and  therefore  there  was  little  like- 
lihood of  their  being  able  to  under- 
sell us  on  that  ground. —  Nor  could 
our  commerce  be  in  aoy  danger 
from  the  reafons  which  had  been  al- 
1  edged,  fince  the  provifions  and  re- 
flri&ions  contained  in  the  propor- 
tions were  fufficient  as  well  to  pre- 
vent any  clandeftirie  importation  of 
foreign  goods  into  Ireland,  as  to  in- 
jure the  duties  payable  on  all  fuch 
as  might  be  legally  imported. 

The  proportions,  after  having 
been  agitated  upwards  of  three 
months,  and  after  having  received 
a  variety  of  amendments  and  alte- 
rations, finally  patted  the  houfe  of 
commons  by  a  large  majority,  and 

Mavsoth  on  the  3°th  °f  May 
May  30m.    were  carriedup  to  the 

houfe  of  lords.  ,  They  here  again 
encountered  a  confiderable  degree 
of  oppofition,  and  received  feveral 
amendments,  although  not  of  a  ma- 
terial nature. 

The  proportions  having  thus  part- 
ed both  houfes,  a  bill  founded  on 
them  was  brought  into  the  houfe  of 
commons  by  Mr.  Pitt,  which  was 
read  the  firlt  time  before  the  end  of 

T  .  Q..  the  feffion,  and  was  fol- 
July  28th.    ]owed  by  an  addrels  to 

his  majefty,  voted  by  both  houfes, 
wherein  they  acquainted  him  with 


what  they  had  done,  and  that  it  re- 
mained for  die  parliament  of  Ire- 
land to  judge  and  to  decide  there- 
upon. 

That  kingdom  had  attended  the 
progrefs  of  the  proportions  through 
the  Britifli  parliament  with  much 
anxiety  and  impatience.  On  their 
arrival  they  met  with  the  mofl  dif- 
couraging  reception  ;  ,they  were  pe- 
titioned againft  by  feveral  of  the 
public  bodies,  and  many  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Irifh  houfe  of  commons 
ftrongly  marked  their  difapproba- 
tion  of  the  additions  and  alterations 
which  the  original  i'y Item  had  un- 
dergone. 

On  the  1 2th  of  Au-   A  , 

guft,tliefecretarytothe  AUS'  I2tft' 
lord  lieutenant  moved  the  houfe  for 
leave  to  bring  in  a  bill  correfpon- 
dent  to  that  moved  by  the  Englifli 
minifter. — The  debates  on  this  oc- 
canon,  and  more  efpecially  on  the 
fide  of  oppofition,  were  long  and 
animated.  Whatever  had  the  leaft 
appearance  of  infringing  on  the  le- 
gislative independency  of  Ireland, 
was  marked  and  ftigmatized  in 
terms  of  theutmoft  indignation  and 
contempt.  The  perpetual  difpofi- 
tion  of  her  hereditary  revenue  by 
the  laft  proportion — the  furrender 
of  her  commercial  legiflation  by  the 
fourth — the  reftraint  impofed  on  her 
from  trading  beyond  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  and  the  Streights  of  Ma- 
gellan by  the  ninth — were  put  in 
every  point  of  view  in  which  rea- 
foning  and  eloquence  could  render 
them  impreflive  and  convincing. 
On  this  jide  of  the  queftion,  Mr. 
Grattan  and  Mr.  Flood  were  the 
moil   confpicuous  fpeakers.      The 


be  produced,  which  Mr.  Fox  affirmed  could  not  be  found  in  the  hiftory  of  mankind* 
where  one  independent  tiate  bound  itielf  folcmnly  to  do  any  thing  undefined,  unfpe- 
cific,  and  uncertain,  at  the  arbitrary  demand  oi  another. 

firft 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


I>3 


£rft  of  tjiefe  gentlemen,  after  Hating 
the  prefent  fituation  of  Ireland, 
^wthrefpect  to  the  advantages  fhe 
bad  already,  acquired,  compared  it 
with  the  condition  it  would  be  left 
in  by  the  fyflem  now  propofed. 
"  See,"-  faid  he,  "  what  you  ob- 
tained* without  compenfation—a  co- 
Joey  trade,  a  free  trade,  the  inde- 
pendency of  your  judges,  the  go- 
vernment of  your  army,  the  exten- 
sion- of  the  conftitutional  powers 
of  your  council,  the  reit oration  of 
the  judicature  of  your  lords,  and 
the  independency  of  your  i  legjfla- 
*ure ! 

s<  See  now  what  you  obtain  by 
compenfation— a  covenant  not  to 
trade  beyond  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope 
and  the  Streights  of  Magellan — a 
covenant  not  to  take  foreign  plan- 
tation produce,  but  as  the  parliament 
of  Great  Britain  fhall  permit-'-a 
covenant  not  to  take  Britifli  planta- 
tion produce,  but  as  Great  Britain 
fliall  prescribe— a  covenant  not  to 
take  certain  produce  of  the  United 
States  N of  North  America,  but  as 
Great  Britain  mall  permit^  a  co- 
venant to  make  fuch  ads  of  navi- 
gation as  Great  Britain  fhafl  pre- 
scribe— a  covenant  never  to  protect 
your  own  manufactures,  never  to 
guard  the  pr'imum  of  thofe  manur 
lactures !" 

In  favour  of  the  bill  it  was  urged 
by  Mr."  Fitzgibbon*,'  Mr.  Hutch- 
infon  f,  and  Mr.  Forfler§,  that  the 
fourth  proportion,  which  hadexcited 
fo  much  jealoufy  and  alarm,  cojjjld 
not  on  any  fair  conftruclion  be  faidifo 
take  from  Ireland  her  right  of  com- 
niercial  legiflation,  any  more  than 
the  acts  palled  in  1779  and  17S2 
had  done  before ;  wherein  Ireland 


had  flipulated  to  trade  with  'the 
Britifli  colonies  and  fettlements.  in 
fuch  manner  as  Great  Britain  her- 
felf  traded,  to  impofe  the  like  du- 
ties, aljd  to  adopt  the  fame  restric- 
tions aqd  regulations.  That  in  the 
bill  before  them,  it  was  propofed  to 
trade  with  Great  Britain  on  the 
fame  principle;  the  liberty  of  ei* 
ther  complying  with  the  conditions, 
or  renouncing  the  agreement  in  to  to, 
whenever  the  conditions  {hould  be- 
come obnoxious  and  diffatisfa,ctory, 
would  be  left  by  the  prefent  bill  full 
as  much  in  the  power  of  the  Irifh 
parliament,  as  it  was  by  either  of 
the  foregoing  acts. — The  difference 
only  was,  that  by  the  former  acts 
Ireland  had  fubfcribed  to  the  com- 
mercial laws  which  had  been  adopt-  ' 
ed  by  Great  Britain  for  290  yeaf ft 
back  3  .by  the  prefent,  to  fuch  as  that 
country  mould  bind  itfelf  to  in  fu- 
ture; but  that  it  would  be  ftilljn 
the  power  of  the  Irifh  parliament  to 
renounce  thefe  laws,  and  the  whole 
agreement  together,  whepever  fhe 
thought  proper.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  commercial  advantages  offered 
to  Ireland  by  the  bill  were  Hated  to 
be  very  important;  the  linen  trade 
was  thereby  fecured  to  her  for  ever 
—the  colony  trade  through  Ireland 
to  Great  Britain  was  given  her— 
the  Britith  markets  were  thrown, 
open  to  Jrilh  manufactures— and 
again,  as  thefe  manufactures  were 
allowed  to  be  re-exported  .  from 
Great  Britain,  with  a  drawback  of 
all  duties,  the  Iriih  would,  in  effect, 
export  on  the  foundation  of  Britith 
capitaj,  at  the  lame  time  that  they 
were  left  to  employ  their  own  ca- 
pital in  the  extenfion  of  their  .home 
manufactures. 


*  The  Attorney  General.        +  Provoft  of  Trinity  college,  Dublin,  r 
k  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer* 

■fi}  4  The 


Digitized  by  VjOO( 


H]        ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786. 


The  houfe  at  length  divided  upon 
the  queftibn;  when  there  appeared 
for  leave  to  bring  }n  the  bill,  127, 
againftit,  108. 

So  fmall  a  majority  in  favour  of 
fo  important  a  meafure,  was  looked 
upon  as  a  defeat;  and  according- 
ly, although  Mr.  Orde  afterwards 
moved  to  nave  the  bill  read  a  firft 
time,  and  to  be  printed,  yet  he  de- 
clared he  ihould  not  proceed  any 
further  in  the  bufinefs  during  the 
prefent  feffion,  aor  at  alii  unlefs  the 
kingdom  in  generalfhould  grow  t6 
a  better  liking  of  a  meafure,  whick 
he  was  confident,  upon  a  further 
and  more  temperate  re-conn"  dera- 
tipn  of  its  principles,  would  obtain 
their  approbation. 

Thus  terminated  the  intended 
commercial  arrangement  -  betwixt 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  after 
having  exercifed  the  attention  of 
both  kingdoms  for  upwards  of  feven 
months. 

We  fhall  take  this  opportunity, 
before  we  difmifs  our  review  of  Irifh 
affairs,, to  mention  the  intended  fet- 
tlement  of  the  Genevefe  emigrants 
in  Ireland. 

The  difputes  and  difTenfions  which 
had  fo  long  fub'Med  betwixt  the 
ar'tflocratic  and  democratic  powers 
in  the  republic  of  Geneva  being 
finally  terminated  in  favour  of  the 
former,  through  the  interference 
of  the  kings  of  France  and  Sar- 
dinia, and  the  cantons  of  Zuric 
and  Berne,  a  number  of  the  citi- 
zens of  the  popular  party  refblved 
to  quit  a  country,  in  the  govern- 
ment of  which  their  weight  and  au- 
thority was  totally  at  an  end.  J     ' 

On  this  occafion  they  turned 
their  eyes  upon  Ireland,  and  com- 
mlffioners  were  accordingly  fent  by 
them  to  Dublin,  to  canfult  and 
treat  with  government  there,  rela- 


tive to  their  reception  into  tha^ 
kingdom.  The  commiffionersi  0$ 
their  arrival,  received  the  greateft 
perfonal  attention  from  the  people: 
in  general,  but  more  especially 
from  the  different  corps  of  volun- 
teers in  the  province -of  LeinHer, 
into  feyeral  of  which,  as  a  mark  of 
refpecl:  paid  to  the  cau<e  they'  came 
tofolicit,  they  were  chofen  as  men- 
bers.  "'  / 

Their  requeft,  w}th  refpec\  to  the. 
admifiion  of  their  countrymen  into. 
Ireland,  was  complied  with,  and  a, 
particular  tra&  of  land  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Waterford  was  afterwards  fet 
apart  for  the  new  fettlers. 

iNotwithftandihg  thefe  prepara- 
tions, the  whole  fcheme  in  the  end 
proved  abortive.  The  terms  infift- 
ed  upon  by  the  Genevefe,  previous 
to" their  becoming  fubjeebs  of  a  new 
ftate  were,  ift.  That  they  ihould 
be  reprefented  in  parliament,  adly. 
That  they  mould  be  formed  into  a 
diftinft  corporation.  And,  ^dly,' 
That  they  ihould  be  governed  bV 
their  own  la\vs.  The  firft,  of  thefe 
conditions  might  have  been  a  mat- 
ter of  opinion,  and  fubje&  to  dif- 
cuflion  5  but  the  tw'p  latt  were  held 
to  be  incompatible  with  the  laws 
and  the  conftitution  of  Ireland,  anc( 
as  fuch  were  totally  reje&ed; 

This  dtfagreement  between  the 
parties,  on  leading  points,  flopped  all 
further  procedure  in  the  bufinefs.' 
Some  or  the  Genevefe,  however, 
tranfported  themfelves  irito  Ireland, 
but  they  foon  found  by  experience, 
that  nothing  was  gained  by  chang- 
ing their  iituation,  and  mofl  of 
them,  after  a  ihort  ftay,  quitted  the 
kingdom. 

Ihe  reciprocal  advantages  which 

might  have  accrued  to  Ireland  and 

the  Qen'evefe  emigrants  from   the 

propofed   fettlement,   even  had  it; 

• '  v        ' takers 


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HISTORY    OF    EUROPE.  [i| 

taken  place  to  the  fulleft  extent,  agriculture  $    next,  that  they  were 

jcould  never,  it  is  prefurned,  have  to  be  fettled  in  a  part  of  Ireland 

equalled,  or  been  in  any  degree  pro-  where  their  fupport  muft  ftave  arifen 

portionable  to  the  langutne  expec-  from  their  daily  labours  on  the  foil, 

tatlons  forae  men  had  been  led  to  and  from  their  having  but  few  wants 

form  on  this  fubjed.     It  fhould  be  of  their  own  to  gratify,  more  than 

coniidered, '  firrt»  that  the  Genevefe  from  their  ingenuity  in  forming  and 

are  for  the  rooft  part  mechanics,  conftruding  a  variety  of  ornamental 

and  that  therefore  they  rauft  have  articles,  which  the  luxury  and  richetf 

been  but  ill  fuited,  from  their  for-  of  populous  and  trading  {owns  c£q 

jner  habjts  of  lite,  to  the  toils  of  only  create  a  market  for. 


P  U  A  P.    II. 

fttrofpefifoe  view  of  continental  matters,  which,  through  the  multiplicity  and  impor- 
tance of  other  foreign  or  domejHc  affairs,'  were,  ofneceffty,  pajed  over  in  our  late 
Volumes*  France^  Death  of  the  Count  det  Maurepas,  and  fome  account  of  that 
celebrated  mini  flex*  Convention  with  Sweden,  by  which  the  French  are  admitted 
to  the  rights  of  denhunfbif,  of  eftablijbing  wareboufes  and  faclories,  and  of  carry- 
ing on  a  free  trade  in  botienburgb ;  in  return  for  which,  France  cedes  the  Wefl 
India  IJland  of  §t.  Bartholomew  to  Sweden.  '  Obfervations  on  that  ceJJ/on.  Spirit 
of  civil  liberty,  of  enquiry,  of  reform  and  improvement,  with  a  difpofition  to  the 
cultivation  ofufeful  arts,  cbaracleriflicf  of  the  prefent  times.  Caufes.— Great  im- 
provements in  Spain  with  re/peel  to  ar\s,  manufactures,  and  agriculture ;  meafuret 
purfuedfor  $e  domination  ofufeful  knowledge,  for  improving  the  morals,  and 
enlightening  the  minds  of  the  people,     inquifition  di farmed  of  its  dangerous  powers ; 

„  numerous  patriotic  focie ties  formed,  and  public  fchools  inflituted,  under  the  patronage 
oftbefirft  nobility ;  canals  and  roads  forming  ;  fubferiptions  for  conveying  water 
to  large  diJfrieJs  dej$late  through  its  want,  king  fuccefsfully  refumes  the  projecl  of 
peopling  and  cultivating  the  Sierra  Moreno. ;  ab/dijbes  bull  feafts  ;  reflricls  the 
number  ofhorfes  and  mules  to  be  ufed  in  the  carriages  of  the  nobility ;  procures  an. 
accurate  furvey  and  charts  of  the  coafis  of  the  kingdom,  aA  well  as  of  the  Straits  of 
Jj/Lageitat^.  4titntiont  to  uayal force  and  to  commerce,  hew  Baft  India  company 
formed.  Improvements  in  the  adminiflration  of  colonial  government.  Intermar- 
riages with  the  rqjfal  line  of  Portugal  lay  the  foundation  for  an  alliance  between  the 
fatter  and  France.  Patriarchal  age,  eminent  qualities,  and  death  of  the  celebrated 
Cardinal  de  SoUs*  Arcbbifbop  of  SevilU.  Important  reforms  in  the  police  of  Portu- 
gal. Queen  fortns  the  excellent  r/tfofution  of  never  granting  a  pardon  in  any  cafe 
*f  ajajbiation  or  a/liberate  murder ;  wh.ch  has  already  produced  the  happieft  effecls. 
Excellent  regulation  of  taking  up  the  idle  anddtfjolute  throughout  the  k'mgdom^and 
•f  applying  them,  at  the  expence,  or^undjtr  the  care  of  government,  to  proper  labour. 
Improvements  in  agriculture  attempted',   climate  and  foil  unfavourable  to  corn* 

Political  obfervations  on  the  intermarriages,  with  Spain,  and  on  tie  new  alliances 

t         •■•'    .j      .,...■-."».♦  ...       *  ^j 


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26]        ANNUAL    REGiSTtR,    1786. 

vuitb  tbe  boufe  of  Bourbon.  Italy.  Kobleafl  of  Pious  tbe  FItb,  in  bis  gemerme 
endeavours  to  drain  tbe  Pontine  mar/be*.  Naples.  D'ljfofitton  of  tbe  king  to  naval 
affairs,  and  to  tbe  forming  of  a  marine  force.  Grand  Duke  of  Tufcany.  Re* 
gulation  in  Florence  for  tbe  diffofal  of  tbe  dead  in  a  common  cemetery  caufes 
great  dif content. 


THE  fruitfulnefs  of  tbe  queen 
of  France,  which  had  for  fe? 
verai  years  been  a  matter  of  much 
doubt  and  great  anxiety  ta  Che  Jung 
and  the  people,  though  at  length 
eftabliihed  by  the  birth  of  a  princefs 
in  1778,  yet  the  failure  of  a  fon 
ftill  continued  to  excite  impatience 
*and  apprehenflon,  until  all  uneafi- 
nefs  up,  n  the  fubjedt  was  at  length 
determined  by  the  birth  of  a  dau- 
phin on  the  2  2d  of  O&ober  1781, 
to  the  inexpreflible  joy  of  a  nation, 
who,  through  a  long  feries  of  ages, 
have  been  more  peculiarly  attached 
to  their  monarchs  than  perhaps  any 
ether  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  It 
was  a  new  and  unexpected  fpe£taqle 
to  mankind  upon  this  occanon,  and 
one  among  the  many  grievous  mor- 
v  tifications  which  Great  Britain  was 
about  that  period  doomed  to  en- 
dure, that  the  birth  of  a  dauphin 
of  France  mould  have  occasioned 
{he  greatefl  public  rejoicings  that 
had  ever' been  known  In  the  Eng- 
lish American  colonies. 

The  queen,  in  the  year  1783, 
produced  another  pledge  of  fecurity 
to  the  reigning  line  in  France,  by 
the  birth  of  a  fecond  fon,  in  whofe 
favour  the  old  Norman  and  Englim 
title  of  duke  of  Normandy  was,  for 
the  firft  time,  revived  in  a  French 
prince. 

The  celebrated  count  de  Mau- 
repas  died  at  the  caftle  of  Ver- 
fallles  in  the  month  of  November 
1 78 1,  and!  in  the  81  ft  year  of  his. 
age ;  holding,  at  that  very  ad- 
vanced period  of  life,  in  a  feafon  of 
great  national  exertion,   and  of  a 


very  perilous  and  hard-fought  fo- 
reign war*  which  extended  its  ac- 
tion to  every  quarter  of  the  .world, 
the  great  and  arduous  office  of  prime 
minifter  of  France.  This  great  ma* 
was  not  more  admired  for  his  abi- 
lities as  a  minifter,  and  talents  as 
a  ftatefman,  than  he  was  revered 
and  beloved  for  his  humanity,  bene- 
volence, and  other  excellent  quali- 
ties of  the  heart. 

When,  under  the  aufpices  of 
cardinal  Fleury,  and  in  his  own 
happier  days,  his  great  and  nume- 
rous offices  feemed  to  render  him  at 
leaft  the  third,  if  not  the  fecond  in 
adminiftraiion,  he  was  one  of  the 
few  miniftcrs  who  introduced  fci- 
ence  and  philofophy  into  the  con- 
dud  of  public  atfairs ;  but  was  at 
the  fame  time  fo  regulated  in  their 
indulgence,  as  entirely  to  reject  their 
1  ufeleis  or  frivolous  parts,  however 
fplendid  or  pleafing ;  as  if  he  dif- 
dained  to  apply  the  public  money 
to  any  other  purpofes  than  thofe  fo- 
lid  ones  of  public  utility.  Though 
considerably  cramped  in  many  of 
his  public  defigns  and  exertions  un- 
der the  pacific  and  oeconomical  fyf- 
tem  of  the  cardinal,  yet  he  not 
only  in  a  great  meafure  recovered 
the  French  marine  from  that  prof- 
trate  ftate  to  which  it  had  long 
feemed  irretrievably  condemned, 
but  he  laid  the  foundations  for  all 
that  grcatnefs  to  which  it  has  iince 
arrived,  or  which  it  is  ftill  capable 
of  attaining.  To  him  France  is. 
particularly  indebted  for  that  fupe- 
riority,  which  (he  is  faid  (and  it  is 
to  be  feared  too  evidently)  'to  pof- 

fefs 


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HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


07 


fefs  in  fhip-building ;  efp.ecially  in 
the  conftrueYion  of  fhips  of  war ; 
for  he  it  was  who  firft  relcued  na- 
val architecture  from  mere  mecha- 
nical hands^  from  the  habitual  and 
unexamined  prejudices  of  vulgar  er- 
ror ;  and  placing  it  in  the  rank 
which  it  deferved  to. hold,  it  foon 
rofe,  under  his  influence  and  protec- 
tion to  be  confidered  as  a  diftincl: 
and  profound  fcience  5  and  was  ac- 
cordingly ftudied  and  reduced  to 
practice  upon  thofe  principles  by 
men  of  the  firft  parts  and  learning; 
Such  eminent  and  permanent  na- 
tional fervices,  which  in  time  dif- 
fufe  themfelves  into  common  bene- 
fits to  mankind,  are  frequently  little 
thought  of  at  the  moment,  and 
the  ingenious  author  or  inventor  is 
foon  forgotten ;  while  he  who  ap- 
plies his  genius  or  invention,  with 
va  vain  -glorious  fplendour,  to  the  de- 
ft ruction  of  bis  fellow-creatures,  al- 
though not  even  the  partial  benefits 
of  his  fuccefs  may  furvive  the  year 
in  which  it  takes  place,  fhall  have 
his  name  handed  down  with  ap- 
plaufe  and  admiration  to  futurity. 
Is  there  then  a  perverfenefs  inhe- 
rent in  mankind  which  difpofes 
them,  as  it  were,  to  worfhip  the 
evil  principle,  to  defpife  their  real 
benefactors,  and  to  adore  thofe  who, 
by  becoming  the  confpicuous  in- 
ftruments  of  tranfitory  refentments, 
do  in  fad  make  war  upon  the  per- 
manent interefts  of  the  race  itfelf? 
May  it  not  then  be  the  office  of 
hiftory,  going  hand  in  hand  with 
philofophy,  to  draw  away  the  eyes 
of  mankind  from  the  glaring  ob- 
jects which  dazzle  and  confound 
them,  and  to  teach  them  to  reft  on 
more  fober  and  beneficial  lights ; 
to  calculate  and  correct  the  error  of 
popular  opinion/ and,  by  rating  ac- 
tions according    to   their  intrinsic 


value,  as  it  were,  to  graduate  anew 
the  fcale  of  admiration  ? 

Although  cardinal  Fleury  pof- 
felTed  at  the  time  the  ofteniible 
praife,  it  was  to  Maurepas  only 
,that  fcience  is  indebted  for  that 
grand  defign  and  arduous  under- 
taking >f  alcertaining  the  real  figure 
of  the  earth,  by  fending  the  French 
academicians  and  aftronomers  .to 
meafure  degrees  of  the  meridian 
under  the  equator,  and  in  the 
northern  polar  circle.  The  unex- 
pected difficulties,  which  they  ex- 
perienced, and  the  extraordinary 
hardihips  and  difficulties  they  en- 
countered, are  too  well  known  to 
be  repeated. 

When  the  cabals  of  the  court 
had,  in  the  year  1748,  banifhed 
Maurepas  far  from  its  vortex  (an 
evil  of  all  others  the  moft  intole- 
rable to  a  Frenchman)  he  exhibited 
an  inftance,  almolt  lingular  in  that 
country,  of  bearing  his  fall  from  a 
fituation  of  greatnefs,  in  which  he 
had  been  nurtured  from  his  earlieft 
youth,  with  the  dignity  of  a  man, 
and  the  temper  of  a  philolbpher. 
He  adorned  his  long  exile,  as  he  had 
done  his  pofleffion  of  power,  by  con- 
tinued acts  of  beneficence,  and  the 
practice  of  every  private  virtue. 

When  at  length,  in  the  74th  year 
of  his  age,  the  long-forgotten  ftatef- 
man.  was  moft  honourably  recalled 
to  court,  in  order  to  become  the 
mentor  and  guide  of  his  young  fo- 
vereign  in  the  yet  untrodden  pat  lis 
of  government,  neither  this  fuddeu 
and  unexpected  exaltation,  nor  his 
long  abfence  from  the  world,  pro- 
duced any  change  iri  the  temper  and 
character  of  Maurepas.  In  the 
changes  which  heceiTarily  took  place 
at  court,  and  in  the  adminiltration,  , 
none  of 'the  difmifled  mini  Hers  were 
(according  to    the  eltabliihed  eit» 

quettt) 


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$3]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


queue)  fent  into  exile,  nor  did  they 
fuffer  any  other  degradation  or  in- 
convenience, than  what  proceeded 
merely  from  the  lofs  of  their  places ; 
no  mean  jealoufy  appeared,  no  a& 
of  Uverity  or  refentment  took  place, 
no  ancient  animofity  was  revived, 
nor  prefent  hatred  gratified,  to  fully 
the  luftre  of  bis  triumph  on  return- 
ing to  power.     A  fimilar  magnani- 
mity feemed  to  be  the  principle  of 
the  enfuing  adminiftration.  He  hac} 
jthe  courage  to  burft  at  once  through 
thofe  narrow  political  fetters,  which, 
originating    partly    in  pride,    aud 
partly  in  bigotry,  were  now  fo  ri- 
veted by  time,  as  to  be  confidered 
and  received  as  fundamental  max- 
ims of  government.    The  pride  of 
fhe  nobility  confined  the  great  offi- 
ces of  ftate  to  their  own  families  j 
and  the  profeflion  of  the  law,  whole 
credit  in  France  is  great,  and  per- 
haps exceffive,  had  in  a  manner  ap- 
propriate 1  to  itfelf  the  financial  der 
partment;  while  both  leaned  hard 
upon  the  commercial  intereft,  na- 
tional and  religious  prejudices  co^ 
operated  in  the  excluuon  of  foreign? 
ers,  and  of  all  thofe  of  a  different 
perfuafion  in  religious  matters,  hqwT 
ever  eminent  their  abilities,  from 
rendering  any  fervice  to  the  ftate. 
Maurepas  induced  his  young  fove- 
reign,  in  a  fingle  in  fiance,  to  fet  at 
jiaught  thefe  maxims,  and  to  violate 
all  thefe  prejudices,  by  calling  in  to 
be  his  affiftant,  as  dire&or-generaj 
of  the  finances,  M.  Necker,  a  mer- 
chant, a  foreigner,  and  a  prpteftant. 
—Such  was  Maurepas ! 

In  the  year  1784,  a  new  conven- 
tion was  entered  into  between  France 
and  Sweden,  tending  to  nVeigkten 
fiill  more  clofely  the  bands  of  union 
which  have  fo  long  fubfifted  between 
the  two  nations,  and  which  have 
been  maintained  with  fo  much  ad- 


vantage, and  at  fo  fmall  an  expence, 
by  the  former.  In. virtue  of  this 
new  convention,  the  French  are  ad- 
mitted to  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  natives  in  the  city  and  port  of 
Gottenburgh,  (which,  from  the  good- 
nefs  of  the  harbour,  its  fituation 
without  the  Sound,  and  other  ad- 
vantages, may  be  juftly  confidered 
as  the  emporium  for  the  foreign 
trade  of  Sweden)  being  permitted 
to  build  and  eftablifh  warehouses  for 
the  ftoring  of  all  manner  of  goods 
imported  either  from  France  or 
America,  in  the  bottoms  of  either 
nation,  without  their  being  iubje& 
to  any  duties  or  Impofitions  what- 
ever} with  the  farther  liberty  to  the 
merchants  or  proprietors  to  export  - 
all  Inch  goods  at  pleafure,  either  in 
French  or  Swedilh  bottoms,  and 
upon  the  fame  free  terms.  In  return 
for  the  advantages  expected  from 
thefe  favourable  ftipulatiorjs,  France 
has  ceded  to  Sweden,  in  perpetuity, 
the  full  propriety  an4  foverejgnty  of 
the  ifland  of  St,  Barthplqmew  in 
the  Weft  Indies. — The  king  of  Swe- 
den, in  order  to  convert  this  ifland 
to  the  beft  account  of  which  it  is 
capable,  has  fince  declared  it  a  free 
port. 

Nothing  left  than  the  prefent  en,- 
thufiafm  in  favour  of  commerce, 
which  is  fo  ftrqng  in  every  part  of 
Europe,  could  render  fo  trifling  and 
fo  remote  a  pofleflion  in  any  degree 
acceptable.  The  ifland  in  queftjon. 
is  eiHm&ted  onjy  at  about  five  leagues 
in  circumference  5  the  quantity  of 
its  cultivable  foil  bears  a  very  fmall 
proportion  even  to  that  extent ;  in 
water  it  is  fo  deficient,  as  to  have  , 
none  but  what  falls  from  the  cloudy 
and  is  preferved  through  the  year 
in  citterns  5  and  though  it  has  a 
good  harbour,  the  adjoining  coafts 
are  fo  dangerous,  and  the  approaches 


s 


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HISTORY, OF    EUROPE. 


[*9 


ta  it  fo  difficult,  as  to 'forbid  its  ever 
becoming  of  commercial  importance. 
With  fuch  defects,  the  intrinsic  va- 
lue of  the  ifland  of  St.  Bartholomew 
cannot  be  very  highly  rated. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  feems  to  be 
an  odd  fort  of  policy,  for  any  of  the 
three  powers  who  are  poffefled  of  the 
principal  Well  India  iilands  to  draw 
in  new  Hates  to  interfere  in  that 
commerce  of  which  they  are  fo  ex- 
tremely jealous  5  and  it  feems  Still 
tnore  unaccountable  to  make  dona- 
tions of  fmall  unproductive  iilands 
or  rocks,  which  are  debarred'  by 
nature  from  anfwering  any  better 
purpofe  under  a  distant  government, 
deititute  of  any  neighbouring  pof- 

.  feffion,  than  that  of  becoming  a 
nurfery  of  fmugglers,  as  they  would 
in  earlier  days  of  pirates. 

It  is  undoubtedly  become  confo- 
nant  with  the  views  of  France,  upon 
other  accounts  than  thofe  of  trade, 
or  even  the  fupply  of  naval  Stores, 
td  hold  Sweden  at  all  times  by  the 
hand .  The  common  interefts  i n  the 
affairs  of  Germany,  which  had  form- 
ed the  original  hands  of  union  be- 
tween the  two  nations,  have  long 
Since  been  .done  away  by  a  new  flate 
of  affairs,  and  new  arrangements  of 
power  and  alliance  j  but  the  jea- 
loufy  and  apprehenfion  which  both, 
though  with  different  degrees  of 
force,  entertain  of  the  overgrown 
and  Still  rapidly  increasing  power  of 
Ruffia,  neceflarily  throws  them  into 
each  others  arms.    Under  this  im- 

'preffion,  France  thinks  it  behoves 
her  to  maintain  an  'interest  in  the 
north  with  a  power,  which  in  cafe  of 
neceffity  might  flill  be  rendered  ca- 
pable of  great  exertions,  and  which, 
from  the  immediate  neceffity  and 
4anger  of  its  own  Situation,  muft 
ever  prove  a  watchful  centinel  with 
refpect  to  the  movements  and  deiigns 


of  the  power  in  qneftion.  But  ad- 
mitting to  its  utmoft  extent  the  pro- 
priety of  this  line  of  political  con- 
duct, it  will  not  appear  entirely  to 
justify  the  ceflion  of  this  ifland  j, 
France  knew  by  experience  the 
means  of  gratifying  Sweden,  with, 
little  difficulty,  in  another  „  man* 
ner. 

Whatever  the  leading  faults  or 
vices  of  the  prefent  times  may  ber 
it  is  their  .great  and  peculiar  cha- 
racteristic, and  it  may  be  hoped  wilt 
become  their  future  glory,  that  a 
ftrong  fpirit  of  civil  liberty,  and.ofT 
enquiry  into  the  functions,  obliga- 
tions, and  duties  of  government,  are 
breaking  forth  in  various  places, 
where  they  were  before  fuppofed 
fcarcely,to  hold  even  the  feeds  of 
existence.  Another  no  lefs  laudable 
characterise  is,  that  fpirit  of  re- 
form and  improvement,  under  the 
feveral  heads  of  legislation,  of  the 
administration  of  juftice,  the  miti- 
gation of  penal  laws,  the  affording 
fome  greater  attention,  to  the  eafe 
and  fecurity  of  the  lower  orders  of 
the  people,  with  tljte  cultivation  of 
thofe  arts  moSt  generally  uleful  to 
mankind,  and  particularly  the  pub-* 
lie  encouragement  given  to  agrU 
culture  .as  an  art,  which  is  ben 
coming  prevalent  in  every  part  of 
Europe. 

Th'is  important  revolution;  in  the 
difpofitions  of  fo  great  a  part  of 
mankind,  may  in  a  great  measure  be 
attributed  to  the  peculiar  kind  of 
philofophy  cultivated  in  the  prefent 
age,  by  men,  without  doubt,  consi- 
derable, and  who  have  given  the  , 
taSte,  and,  as  we  may  fay,  directed 
the  faihion  in   literature;    though 
their  views  have  certainly  not  been 
favourable  to  the  highelt  and  molt' 
permanent  interests  of  our  nature. 
As  the  principles  they  had  adopted, 

or 


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3o]        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 

or  the  path  they  chofe  to  fame  and 
eminence,  made  it  neceflary  for 
them  to  attack  what  have  been  ge- 
nerally conndered^as  the  great  fanc- 
tions  of  morality  and  duty,  they 
were  obliged  to  counteract  the  im- 
putation which  their  tenets  might 
be  liable  to,  by  not  only  profefiing 
but  inculcating  the  mod  general  and 
enlarged  philanthropy,  and  by  let- 
ting loofe  all  the.,  powers  of  fatire 
and  invective  upon  all  infringements 
of  natural  rights,  but  more  parti- 
cularly upon  thofe  which  ieemed  or 
were  fuppofed  to  derive  their  origin 
from  religious  eftabliihments.  Thus 
wit  has  been  often  enlifted  on  the 
lide  of  juftice,  and  led  to  a  more 
minute  and  accurate  inveftigation 
into  the  principles  and  boundaries 
•  of  authority. 

If  in  many  refpects  the  force  of 
received  opinions  has  in  the  prefent 
times  been  too  much  impaired,  and 
perhaps  too  wide  and  indifcriminate 
a  fcope  given  to  fpeculation  on  the 
domains  of  antiquity  and  practice, 
it  is,  however,  a  jutt  caufe  of  tri- 
umph, that  prejudice  and  bigotry 
were  the  earlieft  victims.  Happy 
will  it  be,  if  the  blows  which  were 
aimed  at  the  foundations  and  but- 
treffes,  fhall  only  fhake  off  the  ufe- 
lefs  incumbrances  of  the  edifice. 
And  this  we  are  to  hope  will  be  the 
cafe.  We  may  confidently  aflert, 
that  the  utmoft  freedom  of  enquiry 
and  difcullion,  however  fubject  to 
partial  inconvenience  and  abufes, 
mud  in  the  end  contribute  to  the 
behefit  of  fociety;  for  whatever 
linifter  ambition  may  warp  the  de- 
figns  of  thofe  who  endeavour  by 
their  writings  to  direct  the  opinion 
of  the  vtorld,  as  they  addrefs  man- 
kind through  the  channel  of  their 
reafon,  and  work  with  the  powers  of 
the  understanding,  they  are  obliged 


to  apply  therhfelves  to  the  cultiva- 
tion and  improvement  of  the  fub- 
ject,  and  of  the  inftruments  of  their 
labours.  So  that  at  laft  the  parti- 
cular views  of  individuals,  philo- 
fophers  and  fects,  being  various 
and  fluctuating,  will  be  found  to  be 
comparatively  but  little  advanced  ; 
while  fometimes  one,  and  fome- 
times  another,  of  thofe  general  pr'm- 
ciples  on  which  the  happinefs  of 
mankind  depend  (for  thefe  are  uni- 
form and  permanent)  will  receive 
ftrength  and  vigour  from  the  alter- 
nate prevalence  of  disciplines  and; 
opinions. 

Even  in  thofe  countries  where 
defpotifm,  bigotry,  and  evil  govern- 
ment, had  moft  benumbed  the  fa- 
culties, and  depreffed  or  perverted 
the  genius  of  the  people,  they  feem 
now  to  roufe,  and  to  be  making  off 
the  lethargy  in  which  they  had  fo 
Jong  lain.  Of  thefe,  none  hive  de- 
clined more,  whether  in  a  moral  or 
political  view,  from  the  rank  which 
they  once  held  among  the  nations  of 
the  world,  than  the  neighbouring 
kingdoms  of  Spain  and  Portugal 
have  done  within  the  two  laft  cen- 
turies j  which,  derived  as  they  are 
from  the  fame  origin,  feemed  to 
have  funk  under  the  fame  common 
malady. 

Indeed  a  new  day  feems  to  be 
opening  in  Spain  ;  and  it  is  to  be 
hoped  (for  it  is  allowed  to  hope  and 
with  it,  as  none  but  ungenerous 
minds. could  look  with  pleafure  at 
degraded  humanity,  even  in  a  rival 
or  enemy,  and  every  thing  that 
really  tends  to  honour  and  elevate 
the  ipecies,  muft  fooner  or  later  re- 
dound to  the  benefit  of  all  nations) 
that  the  brilliant  genius  Of  that  peo- 
ple, which  has  been  fo  long  muffled 
and  reflrained,  will  foon  have  pro- 
per room  for  its  exertion,  and  op- 
'  portunity 


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HISTORY   OF   EUROPE. 


fot 


pdrttinity  for  its  dffplay.  The  In- 
quifition,  Which  had  lb  long  been  the : 
terto*  and  curfe  of  the  nation,  though 
not  yet  entirely  abolilhed,  is,  how- 
ever, reduced  to  a  fituation  like  that 
of  an  oldfubdued  Hon,  whofeafpecV 
may  (lill  infpire  terror,  but  whofe 
fangs  being  drawn,  and  claws  pared, 
is  no  longer  capable  of  mifchief. 
The  powers  of  that  tribunal  are  now 
confined  to  thofe  glaring- and  pub* 
lie  a<5ts  of  impiety /propharien  els,  or 
immorality,  -  winch  are»  puniihable 
in  all  well  regulated  ftates  j  and  in 
the  execution  of  this  fftiall  remain- 
ing part  of  their  authority,  all  their 
proceedings  are  to  be  publicly  con- 
dueled;  and  their  evidence  to  be 
openly  taken  ;  publicity  of  proceed- 
ings being  "the  mod  efficacious  cor- 
rective of  vicious,  aud  prefervative 
of  wholefome  inftitutions.  This  re- 
form,-even  if  carried  no  farther, 
muft  fodn  put  an  end  to  the  odious 
and  infamous  race  of  familiars  and 
fecret  informers. 

It  is  peculiarly  fortunate  to  Spain, 
that  the  court,  the  nobility,  and 
higher  claries  of  the  nation,  mould 
all  befeized  at  the  fame  time  with 
the  fame  common  fpirit  of  promot- 
ing a  general  reform  through  the 
country,  of  erafing  ancient-  preju- 
dices, and  of  ufing  all  means  to  en- 
lighten the  minds  of  the  people. 
Learning,  and  an  enquiry  into  the 
Jiiftory  and  antiquities  of  the  coun- 
try, arc  liberally  encouraged,  and 
fumptuous  editions  of  the  moft  va- 
luable claffics  publifhed,  under  the 
aufpices  of  the  court ;  patriotic  fo- 
cieties,  under  the  lan&ion  of  the  rlrft 
nobility,  are  forming  in  every  part 
•  of  the  kingdom,  for^the  eftabliih- 
ment  of  arts,  fciences,  and  manufac- 
tures j  for  improvements  in  the  cul- 
tivation: of  the  earth,  and  in  every 
part  of  rural  ceconomy ;  for  opening 


the  minds,  and  mending  the  morals 
of  the  people.  For  this  purpofe  nu- 
merous public  fchools  have  already 
been  inftituted,  and  are  daily  in- 
creasing, while  the  fludies  of  youth 
are  to  be  directed  to  ufeful  and  ne- 
ceffary  objects.  '  Nor  ft  Encourage- 
ment wanting  to  the  fine' arts,  al-* 
though  the  ul^ful,  with  great  pro-, 
priety  in  the  prefent  ilate1  of  things, 
meet  with  a  more  fnarkSd  attention. 
The  fame  patriotic  fpirit,  which 
feemed  to  require  nothing  more  than 
to  be  awakened  in  order  to  its  due' 
exertion,  is  already  extending  itfelf 
to  public  works  and  defigns  of  the 
greateft  permanency  and  national 
utility.  Plans  have  been  formed, 
fubferiptions  filled,  and  the  works 
are  actually  in  execution,  for  the 
conveyance  of  water  to  large  diftri&s 
which  had  hitherto  been  defolate 
through  its  want,  and  for  opening 
the  way  to  commerce  and  induftry. 
by  eftablifhing  good  roads  and  na- 
vigable canals,  for  facilitating'  the 
intercourfe  between  the  different 
provinces  of  that  extenfive  country  $ 
the  want  of  which*  could  not  have 
been  any  where  more  felt. 

We  have  heretofore  feen  the  mea- 
fures  adopted  by  Spain  for  peopling 
and  cultivating  the  wide  and  defo- 
late waites  of  the  mountainous  rer 
gion  of  the  Sierra  Morena,  byltock- 
ing  them  with  German  colonies ; 
which  was  done  at  a  great  expence, 
to  the  amount  of  about  6000.  A 
court  intrigue,  by  which  the  duke 
d'Aranda,  the  patriotic  and  bene- 
volent father  of  this  projeel,  was 
thrown  out  of  the  adminifhation, 
was  among  the  principle  caufes,  if 
not  the  fole  one,  of  its  failure.  About 
nine-tenths  of  the  colonifts  either* 
periihed  in  the'  place,  or,  in  their 
attempts  toreturn  home,  encounter/ 
ed  fuch  Hardships,  that  many  were* 

reduced  . 


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ja]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


reduced  to  the  neceflity  of  becoming 
•  beggars  or  vagabonds,  or,  what  may 
be  confidered  as  a  calamity  little  lefs 
considerable,  being  obliged^o  inlift 
in  foreign  fervice  in  the  .countries 
through  which  they  patted.        . 

The  king  has,  however,  revived! 
the  fcheme  with  groat  vigour,  and 
Do  lefs  apparent  effect;  fo  that  there 
feems  now  to  be  a  fair  profpect,  .of 
its  fucceeding  to  advantage.    Be- 
fides  taking  the  remains  bf  the  ola 
fettlers,  amounting  now  to  about 
600,  under  his  immediate  protect 
tion,  and  giving  hew  animation  and 
vigour  to  their  induftry,    he   his 
made  an  importation  of  joo  Roman* 
catholic  Swift  families.     Whether 
it  proceeds  from  improvements,  de- 
rived from  experience,  in  the  regula- 
.tiott,  whether  from  habits  of  greater 
induftry, in  the  Swifs,  whether  the 
climate  is  better  fuited  to  their  con- 
ititutions  than    to   the   natives   of 
northern    Germany,  ^  or  •  whether 
from*  the  operation  of  all  thefe,  and 
perhaps   other  caufes,    this  colony 
proceeds  much  more  profperoufly 
than  the  former.    This  fuccefs  has 
fo  much  encouraged  the  king,  that 
he  is  making  farther   and   greater 
importations,  and  upon  a  fiill  more 
improved  plan,  of  Germans,  French, 
and  Swifs,  to  whom  great  advan- 
tages are  held  out  5  their  farms  be- 
ing granted  in  perpetuity  upon  fbme 
very  ea fy  terms,  proper  'ttock  pro- 
vided for  them  at  prefent,  and  a 
competent  quantity  of  land  tilled 
and  ibvvn  at  his  expence  for  each  fa- 
mily the  fiift  year.     The  expence 
has  been  found  very  gr&it,  and  has 
exceeded  what  even  could  have  been 
imagined  j  but  it  is  an  expence  truly 
royal,  and  worthy  of  a  king. 

Among  other   domeiiic    regula-^ 

'  tions,  the  king  has  abclifhed,  or  at" 

leaft  greatly  circumicribed  and  re- 


firi&ed,  the.  celebration  of  tjte  , 
feafts,  which  had  for  fo  many  cen- 
turies been  the,  peculiar  and,  favour* 
ite  diversion  of.  Spain  $  a  diverfteji 
which  .foreigners  had  generally. con-, 
tidered  or  reprefented  as  a,  proof  pf 
the  prefent  barbarifni,  and  an  indi- 
cation of  the  natural  cruelty  of  .the 
people :,  portions  which  ihpuld.be 
well  weighed  before  they  ,ace  in  any 
degree  admitted  j  apd  which,  jf  at  - 
all  juft,  are  fubjed  to  much  limita~. 
tion. ,  Tne  Engliui  tiave.  been  no 
If  Is  reproached  for  their  bull-baiu 
ing,  boxing  matches,  quarter- ftafr 
and  cudgel  playirfg,  with  their  ge- 
neral difpontion  to  athletic  exer- 
cifes,  and  eagerriefs  to  behold  fierce 
combats,  whether  between  their  own 
fpegies  or  other  animals. 

Perhaps  it  is  not  always  confi- 
dered, in  pa  fling  thefe  cenfures,  that 
man  is  born  to  a  ftate  of  contention 
and  warfare  j  that  he  is  doprned  to 
flrutfgle  with  difficulties,  and  is  at  < 
all  tnnes  liable  to  be  cornpelled  to 
oppofe  and  to  furmouht  dangers,  or 
to  per  iih  in  the  encounter  j  and  tha.t 
thefe  are  circumftances  from  which, 
no  condition  of  fortune,  Or  ftate  of 
fociety,  can  at  all  times  fecure  him; 
It  behoves  him  therefore  hot  to  in- 
dulge in  the  idea  that  he  is  always 
to  flumber  upon  beds  of  rofes  ;  but 
to  flrengthen  his  rriihd,  and  harden* 
his  body,  for  the  reception  of  thofe 
hard  confli6ts,from,which  no  humility 
of  character,  nor  innocency  of  life; 
may  poihbly  afford  him  an  exemp- 
tion. As  man  has  profited,  in  many 
inttances  of  art  and  do'meftlc  «c«rio- 
my,  from  the  example  of  inferior 
animals,  he  need  not  think  it  be* 
neath  him  to  improve  in  the  virtues 
of  courage  and  fortitude  from  the* 
example  of  the  more  generous  and 
noble  kinds,  as  that  exhibited  by 
the  heroic  part  of  his  own  fpecies1 

can' 


by  Google 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


fcnn  rarely  come  within  his  imme- 
diate knowledge  :  other  wife,  by  the 
indulgence  of  too  refined  a  deli- 
cacy, and  the  affectation  of  a  fep- 
ti mental  difpofition,  which  is  nei- 
ther fiu'ted  to  our  nature  or  condi- 
tion, men  may  again  fink  into  the 
deplorable  fituation  of  the  Syba- 
rites, and  neither  be  able  to  endure 
the  fight  of  blood,  nor  to  hear  of 
danger,  until  they  found  themfelves 
overwhelmed  in  both.  The  rough 
taafculine  exercifes,  and  hard  per- 
gonal conflicts  of  the  common  peo- 
ple) are  preparatives  to  war ;  they 
inure  men  to  refinance,  to  place  a 
confidence  in  their  own  powers  and 
addrefs  in  action,  to,  endure  toils, 
blows,  and  danger,  and  to  feel  all 
the  pride  and  triumph  of  victory. 
Need  it  be  remembered,  that  the 
conflicts  of  fierce  animals  were  fpec- 
tacles  admired  by  the  mod  cele- 
brated, as  well' as  the  raoft  elegant 
nations  of  antiquity  ?  and  we  may 
add,  that  it  is  a  gratification,  no 
ways  artificial  and  improper  for  a 
reafonable  being,  to  behold  any 
creature  exerting  the  generous  ener- 
gies of  his  nature. 

The  king  of  Spain  has,  however, 
prohibited  the  celebration  of  bull 
feaiis,  excepting  only  in  thofe  cafes 
where  the  profits  arifing  from  them 
have  been  already  afligned  to  fome 
charitable,  benevolent,  or  patriotic 
purpofe,  and  that  no  other  fund  has 
yet  been  appropriated  to  fupply  the 
deficiency.  He  has  likewife  prohi- 
bited, under  heavy  penalties,  the 
ufe  of  more  than  two  horfes  or  mules 
in  gentlemen's  carriages,  within  the 
limits  of  any  of  the  towns  of  the 
kingdom.  This  iujun&ion  was  at- 
tended with. a  circular  letter  to  the 
foreign  minifters,  enclofing  a  copy 
of  the..  edi&,  and  acquainting  them 
refpedively,   that  his  catholic  ma- 

Vol.  XXVIII. 


[33 

jefty  hoped  they  would  fetan  exam- 
ple of  compliance  to  the  public,  by 
their  own  conformity  to  this  new 
regulation.  The  motive  afligned  in 
the  preamble  to  the  edi&  for  thefe 
prohibitions  is;  that  the  former 
practice  occasioned  a  great  deftruc- 
tion  of  cattle,  and  the  latter  a  great 
wafte  of  their  time  and  labour, when 
they  might  be  fo  much  more  advan-  ' 
tageoufly  employed  for  the  pur  poles 
of  agriculture.  The  afligned  mo- 
tive does  not  feem  at  all  to  hold 
with  refped  to  the  fuppreflion  of  the 
bull  feafts,  as  the  animals  ufed  in 
thefe  fpe&acles  were  achial  wild: 
bulls,  taken  with  great  difficulty,, 
and  in  an  absolute  ftate  of  nature, 
in  the  remoteft  forenV;  and  thefe 
are  too  fierce  and  untuneable  to  ad- 
mit almoft  the  pofiibility  of  their  be- 
ing broken  down  to  country  fervice. 

Theliberal  difpofition  toimprove- 
ment,  at  prefent  prevalent  in  the 
court  of  Madrid,  is  not,  however, 
confined  to  rural  or  domeftic  mat- 
ters -9  it  feemi  to  reach  to  every 
thing,  and  to  every  part  of  their 
extenfive  dominions.  The  king,  re- 
flecting upon  the  number  of  ihips 
and  lives,  both  foreign  and  domef- 
tic,  which  were  every  year  loft  upon 
the  coafts  of  the  kingdom,  through 
the  want  of  an  accurate  knowledge 
of  them,  and  the  imperfedion  o£ 
the  old  charts,  Wjhich  inftead  of  be- 
ing the  guides  to  fafety,  frequently 
led  the  unwary  navigator  into  error 
and  ruin,  generoufly  and  humanely 
determined  to  remedy  this  evil.*  For 
the  execution  of  this  important  pur- 
pofe, Don  Vincent  Tofinode,  a  man 
of  fcience,  and  whoprcliJes  in  the 
marine  academies,  has  ever  fince  the 
conclusion  of  the  peace  with  Eng- 
land; accompanied  by  able  ailift- 
ants,  been  adiduoufly  and  fuccelT* 
fully  employed   in   forveyine  an4 

\C\  definca** 


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3*3        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  178$. 


delineating  the  coafts  of  the  king- 
dom. This  is  laid  to  have  been 
done  with  unexampled  care  and  ac- 
curacy, taking  in  the  whole  coaft 
from  Cape  Saint  Vincent  to  the 
Streights  of  Gibraltar,  and  from 
thence  to  the  Cape  de  Creux,  on  the 
coaft  of  Catalonia,  and  including 
the  oppofite  Barbary  fhores.  There 
has  not  yet  been  time  to  publilh  the 
charts,  but  it  is  expected  that  they 
will  be  found  a  great  nautical  im- 
provement, and  prove  a  treafure  to 
mariners. 

In  the  fame  fpirit,  the  king  de- 
termined that  the  various  accounts 
of  the  Streights  of  Magellan,  which 
have  been  given  by  the  navigators 
of  different  nations,  fhould  be  ex- 
amined and  corrected.  For  this 
purpofe  a  fri  gate  was  di  fpatched  from 
Cadiz,  under  the  Conduct  of  Don 
Antonio  Cordova  of  Lafo,  who  was 
fb  fortunate  as  in  a  ffew  months  fully 
to  execute  his  commitfion.  This 
officer  brought  home  an  accurate 
Chart  of  the  ftreights,  in  which  all 
the  capes,  bays,  promontories,  and 
other  remarkable  objects  on  the  op- 
j>otite coafts,  are  diltiuctJy  laid  down, 
with  their  longitudes,  latitudes,  and 
reipective  distances,  afcertained  by 
aftronomicalobfervation.  With  all 
the  delays  incident  to  this  material 
fervice,  and  to  the  unequalled  tur^ 
bulence  of  that  boifterous  climate, 
they  arrived  in  little  more  than  five 
weeks  from  their  entering  the 
ftreights  at  Port  St.  Jofeph,  the 
fcioft  fouthem  of  the  continent. 
From  thence  Don  Antonio  went  in 
his  barge  to  explore  the  chanuel  of 
St.  Barbe,  which  lies  three  leagues 
from  that  port,  on  the  coaft  of  the 
Terra  del  Fuego,  where  he  found 
the  pafTage  which  had  been  long 
conjectured,  but  never  before  afcer- 
iaine4  that  leads    into   the  South 


Seas.  After  examining  the  werter* 
parts  of  the  ftreight  to  the  Capes 
Lunes  and  Providence,  which  they 
found  to  be  eleven  leagues  diftant 
from  thofe  called  the  Fillars  and 
Victoria,  he  returned  to*  Port  St. 
Jofeph.  From  thence  the  frigate 
returned  home  through  the  ftreights, 
having  loft  but  two  men  in  the 
courfe  of  three  months  which  they 
fpent  in  that  region  of  eternal  win- 
ter, tempefts,  and  defolation,  which 
had  fo  long  been  the  terror  of  mari- 
ners. Itisprobable  that  this  fhip  was 
indebted  for  her  unufual  healthinefs. 
to  the  admirable  and  fuccefsfulmea- 
fures  adopted  and  publifhed  by  cap- 
tain Cook  for  the  prefervation  of  his 
feamen. 

.  The  exertions  of  Spain  for  the 
improvement  and  increafe  of  ber 
naval  power,  have  not  only  been 
unremittingly  continued,  but  car- 
ried on  with  freil)  vigour,  and  in  a 
more  extenfive  degree,  fince  the 
conclufion  of  the  war.  This  fyftera 
will  probably  continue,  fo  long  as 
the  French  influence  predominates 
at  the  court  of  Madrid,  and  the  fa- 
mily compact  retains  its  full  vigour. 
This,  however,  ought  not  tocauieany 
great  alarm  to  thofe  who  duly  weigh 
the  temporary  effect  and  fhort  d\%- 
ration  of  any  influence,  and  the  fra- 
gil  na'.ure  of  family  and  all  other 
political  compacts.  Money  ma v  en- 
able princes  to  build  or  purchafe 
great  fleets,  but  that  alone  will  be 
found  very  unequal  to  the  render- 
ing them  effective,  or  really  formi- 
dable. Bold  and  able  feamen,  with 
gallant  and  experienced  officers,  am 
treafures  not  to  be  purchafed.  Moll 
of  the  ftates  of  Europe  pofTefs  a 
considerable  number  of  large  and  * 
well-looking  fhips  of  war,  and  thefe 
exhibit  a  formidable  appearance  of 
artillery:  yet,  what  figure  have  they 

ever 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY' OF  EUROPE. 


[35 


CTfer  *wcte,  or  would  they  note  make> 
in  a&ion  ? 

This  being,  however,  tne  sera  of 
reform  and  improvement  in  Spain, 
fte  is  paying  an  unufual  degree  of 
attention  to  her  foreign  commerce 
and  to  her  colonies,  (mtu$h  Aifer  and 
more  permanent  fources  of  naval 
fkength)  as  well  as  to  the  other 
parts  of  her  political  cccooomy. 
Among  the  inftances  «f  this  atten- 
tion, an  Eaft  India  company,  under 
the  name  of  the  Royal  Philippine, 
was  eftabliShed  in  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1785.  The  capital-  of  this 
company  was  fixed  at  30  miilions 
of  livres,  being  fometbing  about 
£ .  1,300,000  Sterling;  of  which  the 
tAd  Caraccas  company,  now  united 
with  the  new,  furnithed  nine  mil- 
lions, the  king  five,  the  bank  of 
Madrid,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Philippine  idands,  three  each ;  the 
remaining  ten  millions  were  allotted 
into  flares  of  a  thoufand  livres  each, 
and  fubferibed  for  by  the  public  at 
large.  The  company  is  charged 
with  the  equipment  of  the  merchant 
ihips  deftined  for  Spanish  America, 
which  they  are  to  Supply  with  Eu- 
ropean merchandize,  and  to  receive 
the  produces  of  thofe  countries  in 
return.  A  difcretionary  number  of 
fhips  are  to  proceed  yearly  from 
Acapulco  to  the  Philippines,  with 
coined  filver,  corn,  fruits,  and  fuch 
other  produces  or  commodities  of 
Europe  or  America  as  were  found 
to  fuit  the  market;  and  with  theSe 
they  were  to  purchafe  the  goods  of 
India  and  China,  for  the  fupply  both 
of  the  mother  country  and  her  co- 
lonies. The  company  are  to  have  a 
council  of  administration  at  Aca- 
puko,  another  at  Manilla,  and  a 
iupreme  one  at  Madrid,  which  is  to 
receive  the  correfpondence  and  to 
controul  the  conduct  of  the  other 


two.  The  king  has  like  wife  opened 
the  ports  of  the  Philippine  iHands 
to  all  nations. 

This  laft  meafure  feems  to  give 
fbme  countenance  to  a  report  which 
has  been  currently  fpread,  that  the 
Spanish  administration  have  for  forae 
tkne  pad  had  it  in  ferious  contem- 
plation to  break  through  that  nar- 
row lyflem  of  policy,  which  has 
been  fo  long  and  So  unremittingly 
purfued,  of  reStri&ing  the  commerce 
of  Spaniih  America  entirely  to  the 
mother  country  j  and  that  now  a- 
dopting  more  liberal  ideas,  and  tak- 
ing a  more  clear  andfcientifioal  view 
of  the  nature  both  of  trade  and  of 
colonies,  they  were  actually  digest- 
ing plans  for  opening  a  trade  with 
foreign  nations  on  the  weStern  coaft 
of  South  America,  by  the  confti- 
tuting  pf  three  free  ports  in  the  lat- 
ter ;  and  that  this  delign  had  been 
fo  far  advanced,  that  the  ports  of 
Bald  i via  in  Chili,  of  Bon aven  turn 
in  New  Granada,  and  of  Cinalea  in 
New  Mexico,  were  thofe  proposed 
for  the  purpofe,  and  would  probably 
be  fixed  upon.  The  time  which  has 
elapfed  Since  the  circulation  of  this 
report,  does  not  ferve  entirely  to 
overthrow  its  credibility,  nor  even 
afford  any  abfolute  demonstration 
that  the  project  is  now  aband6ned, 
if  its  former  existence  be  admitted  5 
as  a  meafure  of  fo  much  novelty  and 
importance,  involved  in  fuch  a  mul- 
titude of  complicated  confequences, 
of  collateral  connections  and  cir- 
cumstances, could  not  but  require 
much  nicety  of  enquiry,  as  well  as 
much  previous  and  mature  conside- 
ration. 

Though  the  Spaniards  have  at  all 
times  endeavoured  to  cover,  with  a 
veil  of  impenetrable  obfeurity  and 
Secrecy,  the  ftate,  circumstances, 
and  transactions  of  their  colonies  in 

[C]  %  Southern 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


36]'      ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 

Southern  America*  endeavouring, 
as  much  as  it  was  in  human  power, 
to  feclude  them  from  all  intercourse 
and  correfpondence  With  the  reft  of 
mankind,  yet  neither  the  penalties 
of  laws,  the  mduftry  and  vigilance 
of  power,  nor  the  imraenfity  of  feas 
and  defarts,  can  at  all  times  prevent 
**'  the  fecrets  of  the  prifon  houfe" 
from  efcap'mg.  Moft  of  the  public 
prints  throughout  Europe  have  for 
fome  years  abounded  with  accounts 
of  dangerous  rebellions',  and  even 
expected  revolutions,  in  Peru,  Chili, 
and  other  parts  of  South  America. 
It  has  even  been  pretended,  that  a 
defcendant  of  the  Incas  was  at  the 
head  of  a  *  numerous  Indian  army, 
and  making  fuccefsful  efforts  to  re- 
cover the  throne,  and  to  re-eftablifh 
the  empire  of  his  anceftors. 

Although  the  extravagance  of 
thefe  accounts  was  Sufficient  to  de- 
stroy their  credibility,  even  in  thofe 
things  that  were  poffibly  true,  yet 
it  may  be  gathered  upon  the  whole, 
from  the  concurrence  of  circumftan- 
ces  which  did  not  admit  of  doubt, 
that  the  Spanifh  dominion  in  South 
America  has  for  ,fome  years  been 
confiderably  difturbed  by  commo- 
tions of  fome  fort  or  other.  It 
would  feem,  however,  in  Specula- 
tion (the  dim  lights  afforded  us  not 
admitting  of  any  clear  visw)  that 
thcSe  disturbances  could  not  have 
proceeded  entirely,  if  at  all,  from 
the  Indians:  for,  excepting  the 
brave  and  unconquered  nations  of 
Chili  (who  are  not,  however,  capa- 
ble of  carrying  on  a  diftant  or  re- 
gular war)  we  hold  the  Indians  to 
be  involved  in  too  great  a  multitude 
of  moral,  phyfical,  and  political  in- 
capacities, to  admit  of  their  acting 
with  that  vigour  and  union,  which 
t^uld  alone  afford  the  moft.  diftant 
profpedt  of  recovering  their  liber- 


ties 5  and  that  they  are  too  muchr 
debilitated,  and  have  been  too  loftg  . 
broken  down  to  the  yoke,  to  be  ca- 
pable of  becoming  even  the  princi- 
pals in  any  considerable  commo- 
tion. 

It  is  well  known,  that  the  old 
Spanifh'  Settlers  and  natives  of  that 
vaft  continent,  have  from  time  im- 
memorial been  exceedingly  difcon- 
tented  with  many  circumftances  ip 
the  government  and  internal  admi- 
niftration  of  thofe  countries.  That,, 
in  particular,  the  couftant  difpofal 
of  all  places  of  truft  and  emolument , 
to  Europeans,  has  long  been  regard- 
ed by  them  with  the  greateft  jea- 
loufy  and  refentment,  and  consider- 
ed as  a  badge  of  the  moft  intolerable 
flavery.  That  the  infupportable  ar- 
rogance of  thefe  new  comers,  the 
haughty  difdain  they  dtSplay,  and 
the  contemptuous  inference  with, 
which,  upon  every  occahon,  thejp 
treat  the  natives,  would  alone  be  Suf- . 
ftcient  to  render  them  odious  in  the 
extreme:  but  when  with  thefe  are 
reckoned  their  numberlefs  olber  Ul 
qualities  and  vices  ;  the  avarice  and 
opprelfion  with  which  they  rapidly 
collect. immenfc  fortunes j  and  their, 
haft j  conveyance  of  them  out  of  the 
country,  as  if  its  plunder  had  been, 
the  only  object  of  their  million;  it 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  fuch 
a  fyftem  of  oppreflion,  rapacity,  ajnd 
irritation,  inould  beget  a  mortal 
aver  lion  to  the  native  Spaniards* 
and  no  fmall  diflike  to  the  govern- 
ment by  which  fuch  enormities  were 
admitted. 

Thefe  general  canfes,  concurring 
perhaps  with  other  local  and  parti- 
cular ones,  have  undoubtedly  laid 
the  foundations  of  fome  confiderable 
diforders  and  commotions  in  Spanifh 
America,  although  the  means  of 
information  are  too  iraperfed  to  ad- 
mit 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF'EURO'P'E.' 


[37 


^jtiit  any  exact  knowledge  of  their 
nature  and  extent.  The  refinance 
of  the  Britifh  colonies,  and  the  ex- 
traordinary revolution  which  it  oc- 
casioned, were  events,  which  no 
powers  of  government  could  prevent 

*  from  coming  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  Spanifh  colonifts ;  and  nobody 
will  hold  any  doubt  of  the  effects 
which  fo  fuccefsful  and  recent  an 
example,  and  coming  fo  directly  to 
the  point  with  refpect  to  them  (elves, 
was  liable  to  produce  among  a  dif- 

^  contented  people.  It  is,  however, 
to  be  obferved,  especially  as  the 
fact  is  not  generally  known,  that 
ibme  years  before  this  example  was 
let,  the  difcon tents  in  thofe  coun- 
tries  ran    fo   high,    that  the  mod 

'  tempting  offers  were  made   to  the 

*  court  of  London  for  procuring  her 
fupport  and  protection.  The  inte- 
grity, juftice,  and  good  neighbour- 
hood which  n*ie  difplayed  in  reject- 
ing that  propofal,  has  fince  been 
ihamefillly*  returned  by  Spain  :  al- 
though fome  cynic  at  the  ,court  of« 
Madrid  might  'poflibly  deny  the 
motive,  and  imtead-of  afcribing  it 
to  honour  or  juftice,  .-bold  out,  that 
England  was  fo  much  occupied  in 
the  fcheme  of  changing  the  govern - 

"  «nent  of  her  own  colonies,  that  the 
jhad  not  leifure  to  engage  in  other 
projects,  and  >of  all  things  was  leaft 
♦difpofed  to  encourage  ideas  of  refin- 
ance in  thofe  of  any  nation. 

Thefe  difcontents  or  diftui*bances 

*  have,  however,  produced  no  fmall 
apparent  effect  upon  the  Spanilh 
government  with  refpect  to  the  ad- 
miniftration  of  theif  colonies  ;  and 
it  is  faid  that  the  meafures  purfued 
-upon  this  occafion  have  been  no  lefs 
judicious  than  vigorous.  While 
large  reinforcements  of  the  bell 
and  rooft.  veteran  troops    of  Spain 

„ '  kaye  been  feiit  out  under  chofen 


commanders  to thaf  continent,  while 
old  fortifications  have  been  repaired 
and  armed,  and  new  ones  con ftruct- 
ed,  the  greateft  care  i*  faid  to  have 
'"been  taken, riot  only  in  the  appoint- 
ment of  men  of  the  iirft  ability  to 
the  refpective  governments,  but  that 
they  Should  likewife  be  men  of  .a 
lenient  and  conciliating  difpofttion, 
as  well  as  of  the  moft  difinterefted 
character.  This  new  fyftem  of  colo- 
nial government  muft  undoubtedly 
produce  the  happieft  effects,  if  con- 
tinued j  but,  notwkhftanding  its  ex- 
cellency in  pther  refpects,  is  faid 
to  be  fo  expen five, 'particularly  by 
the  augmentation  of  the  forces  upon 
that  ^ftablifhment,  as  to  trench 
deeply  upon  the  royal  revenues  a- 
trifing  from  themj  a  cireumftance 
too  likely  to  abridge  its  duration. 

We  have  heretofore  had  occafion 
to  take  notice  of  the  connexion  and 
friendship  which  was  growing  up 
between  Spain  and  the  Porte.  M. 
►de  Boligny  was  accordingly  fent 
niinifter  from  the  court  of  Madrid 
to  Constantinople,  towards  the  clofe 
©f  the  year  1784,  where  he  was 
received  and  treated  with  peculiar 
marks  of  diftinction.  Among  other 
grand  or  curious  prefents  which  he 
delivered  from  the  catholic  king  afc 
his  firft  audience,  was  a  field  tent 
of  fingujar  greatnefs  and  magnifi- 
cence, which  derived  iuftre  from  its 
former  ferviee,  as  well  as  veneration 
from  its  antiquity.  It  had  been 
conftructed  for  and  ufed  by  Ferdi- 
nand the  Catholic,  in  the  pride  of 
conquefl  and  victory,  at  the  camp 
of  Occanna ;  it  was  lined  with  crim- 
fon  velvet,  richly  trimmed  with 
-gold  taffels  and  lace,  and  containing 
fuch  numerous*  and  fpacious  apart- 
ments as  had  been  Efficient  to  en- 
tertain a  large  court:  the  whole  for-, 
rounded   with  a  fpacious   gallery. 

"Mi  V 


..f 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


38]       ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

It  teemed  lingular  enough,  that  this 
old  memorial  of  the  extermination 
of  infidels  fhould  be  now  a  prefent 
from  Spam  to,  an  infidel  power. 

The  double  marriages  which  took 
place  in  the  EaAer  feafon  of  1785, 
between  the  royal  families  of  Spain 
and  Portugal,  not  only  ferved  to 
keal  the  jeaioufies  and  differences 
which* had  fo  long  prevailed  be- 
tween thefe  courts,  and  to  unite  the 
two  kingdoms  in  the  clofeft  bonds  of 
amity,  but  laid  the  foundation  for 
that  treaty  of  alliance,  which,  un- 
der the  mediation  of  Spain,  has 
fince  taken  place  between  France 
and  Portugal  5  and  which  conftitutes 
a  complete  union  between  the  latter 
and  the  Bourbon  family.  Thefe 
marriages  were  between  the  infant 
Don  Gabriel  of  Spain,  and  the 
infanta  Donna  Mariana  Victoria, 
princefs  of  Portugal,  on  the  one 
fide,  and  the  infant  Don  Juan  of 
Portugal,  with  the  infanta  Donna 
Charlotta,  eldeft  daughter  of  the 
prince  of  Afturias,  on  the  other. 
The  infantas  met  at  Villa  Viciofa, 
where  they  were  mutually  received 
and  delivered  5  being  probably  the 
iaft  as  well  as  the  iirfl  opportunity 
of  their  meeting. 

The  patriarchal  age,  upwards  of 
one  hundred  and  ten  years,  to  which 
the  celebrated  archbifhop  of  Seville, 
the  cardinal  de  Solis,  arrived,  and 
in  the  full  poffefTion  of  all  his  facul-  . 
ties,  quicknefs  of  hearing  only  ex- 
cepted, would  in  ibme  degree  hare 
rendered  his  diffolution  an  object  of 
hiftorical  attention,  even  ifhisadr 
mirable  qualities,  the  goodnefs  of 
his  heart,  and  the  excellency  of  his 
life,  had  not  otherwife  entitled  himx 
to  that  diftin&ion.  Though  he  had 
fpent  that  long  life  in  the  continual 
*  exercife  of  every  moral  and  chriftian 
virtue,  yet  an  unbounded  charity, 


and  an  univerfal  bcoeyoleuc*  to 
mankind,  were  the  ftrongly  marked 
lines  of  his  character.  He  feemed 
to  be  the  natural  as  well  as  <thc 
fpiritual  father  of  the  numerous  flock 
committed  to  his  charge ;  and  their 
grateful  veneration  and  affe&ion  for; 
him  feenied  to  render  them  worthy 
of  the  care  which  be  bellowed.  In 
anfwer  to  the  enquiries  of  his  parti- 
cular friends  as  to  the  means  whict* 
he  had  ufed  for  prefer  viug  health, 
and  prolonging  lite  to  fo  extraordi- 
nary a  period,  he  obferved,  that  by 
being  old  when  he  was  young,  he 
found  himfelf  now  young  when  he 
was  old;  that  he  had  led  a  fober 
and  fmdious,  but  not  a  la»x  or  fe- 
dentary  life  \t  that  his  diet  was  deli- 
cate,  though  fpariog ;  that  his  li- 
quors were  the  beft  wines  of  Xerea 
an,d  La  Mancha,  of  which  he  never, 
exceteded  a  pint  at  any  one  meal,  ex- 
cepting in  cold  weather,  when  he  al- 
lowed himfelf  a  third  more;  that  he 
rode  or  walked  abroad  every  day, 
except  in  rainy:  weather,  when  he^ 
took  exercife,  for  a  couple  of  Uours, 
within  doors.  So  far,  fa^d  he,  I 
took  care  for  the  body  j  "  and  as. 
"  to  the  mind,  I  endeavoured  to 
"  preferve  it  in  due  temper  by  a  fcru- 
'.'  pulous  obedience  to  tl>e  divine 
"  commands,  and  keeping  (as  the 
"  apofile  directs)  a  confeience  void 
"  of  offence  towards  God  and  man. 
"  By  thefe  eafy  and  innocent  means, 
"  I  have  arrived  at;  the  age  of  a 
"  patriarch,  with  lefii  injury  to  my 
**  health  and  coniiitution  than  many 
"  experience  at  forty.  .  I  am  now, 
"  like  the  ripe  corn,  reacly  for  the 
"  fickle  of  death,  and,  by  the  mercy 
u  of  my  Redeemer,  have  ttrong 
"  hopes  of  being  tmnftated  into 
"  his  granary."  "  Glorious  old 
"  agel"  exclaimed  tl>e  king  of 
Spain  :  u  Would  to  Heaven  he  had 
*\  appointed 


igitizedby  W»C    )5lC 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


CW 


it 


appokjfced    a  fucceffor;    for  the 

people  of  Seville  have  been  fo 
"  long  ufed  to  excellence,  that  they 
€<  will  never  be  fatisfied  with  the 
€e  befl  prelate  I  can  fend  them/' 

This  excellent  prelate  and  man 
was  of  an  ancient  and  noble .  houfe 
In  the  province  of  Andalufia  ;  and 
was  the  lad  furviving  ion  of  Don 
Antonio  de  Solis,  hiftoriographer 
to  Philip  the  IVth,  and  author  of 
that  eloquent  and  long  -  admired 
work,  the  Hi  dory  of  the  Conquell 
of  Mexico.. 

The  reform  in  Portugal  has  not 
^ret,  in  importance  or  magnitude, 
approached  in  any  degree  of  pro- 
portion to  that  in  Spain.  Any  at- 
tempt, however,  at  reform  or  im- 
provement, in  a  country  which  has 


Europe  were  fo  great  a  number  of 
idle  vagabonds  fuffered  to  loiier  a- 
bout  the  flreets,  and  to  infeft  the 
towns,  as  in  Portugal;  and  thele 
wretches  having  no  apparent  means 
of  obtaining  a  livelihood,  except- 
ing the  calual  and  infufficient  re- 
fources  of  charity,  were  of  necef- 
fity  the  pefls  of  fociety,  and  fpent 
their  lives  in  watching  opportuni- 
ties for  the  commiflion  of  every  fpe- 
cies  of  villainy.  In  few  civilized 
countries,  likewife,  had  the  abomi- 
nable crime  of  affaflination  been  re- 
fined fo  much  into  a  fyiiem,  and 
carried  to  fo  glaring  and  daring  a 
pitch  of  enormity ;  and  this  not  fo 
much  from  any  defect  in  the  laws, 
as  from  the  impunity  which  the 
great  and  their  dependents  derived., 
been  fo  long  finking  under  a  weak,    through  the,  eafe,  if  not  certainty, 


indolent,  capricious,  and  fometimes 
cruel  fyftem  of  government,  and 
amongft  a  people  inimerfed  in  per- 
nicious, deitructive,  and  inveterate 
habits,  ibould  notbeeftimatcd  mere- 
ly by  its  prefent  benefits,  but  con- 
sidered likewife  with  a  view  to 'its 
farther  operation,  and  hailed  as  the 
omen  of  greater  and  happier  effects; 
the  fir  ft  ftep  being  generally  the 
greateft  difficulty  in  fuch  cafes. 

The  government  of  that  country 
feems,  fo  far  as  we  can  judge,  to 
faave  been  very  laudably  admini- 
.  fiered  fince  the  acceilion  of  the  pre- 
ient  queen  5  and  while  it  has  main- 
tained refpect  abroad,  has  had  the 
good  fortune  to  attain  the  efleem 
ijnd  affection  of  the  people  at  home. 
The  meafure  of  improvement  which 
we  have  particularly  to  take  notice 
of,  relates  to  the  police,  to  the  due 
adminiflration  of  criminal  juftice, 
and  to  a  ftrict  infliction  of  the  law 
in  all  cafes  of  an  atrocious  nature, 
particularly  with  refpect  to  great 
"ers,    In  no  other  country  in 


with  which  pardons  were  procured 
by  rank  and  influence.  This  could 
not  but  flacken  the  nerves  of  juitice 
with  refpect  to  the  other  clailes  of 
the  people;  as  it  would  have  ap- 
peared too  barefaced  and  fjbameleft 
a  mockery  of  it,  to  purfue  fmall 
delinquents  to  the  utmoit  (extremity, 
for  thofe  crimes  which  were-paffed 
over  without  account  in  their  fupe- 
riors. 

The  queen  feized  the  opportu- 
nity afforded  by  an  .affaflination, 
which  was  attended  with  circum- 
flances  of  the  molt  atrocious  na- 
ture, and  where  interejl  and  power 
feemed  to  have  the  moil  certain 
profpect  of  procuring  their  ufual 
impunity,  wot  only  refolutely  tQ 
refill  and  positively  to  reject  all  fo- 
licitations  for  a  pardon,  but  at  the 
fame  time  to  make  a  public  decla- 
ration, that  ihe  never  would,  in  any 
iuilance,  whatever  tlje  rank  or  qua- 
lity ofme  offender  might  be,  grant 
a  pardon  to  any  perfon  guilty  of  a 
premeditated  imirder.    Never  did 

\C\  4  any 


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4c]         ANNUAL    R  E  G  I  S  T  E  R,   1786. 


any  a&  of  wifdom  or  juflice  pro- 
duce a  more  fbeedy  or  more  happy 
effeft.  AfTafnnation  'is  now  no 
longer  heard  of  5  and  it  may  well 
be  hoped  that  the  very  paffions  which 
gave  birth  to  it  will  in  a  great  mea- 
fure  wear  away,  iince  they  are  cut 
off  from  their  ultimate  gratifica- 
tion. 

This  opening  to  reform  and  good 
government  was  fucceeded  by  the 
excellent  meafure  of  taking  up  and 
providing  for  the  idle  and  vicious, 
who  had  no  vifible  means  of  living, 
wherever  they  were  found  in  every 
part  of  the  kingdom.  Thefe  va- 
gabonds were  either  remitted  to 
-  their  refpe&ive  countries,  under 
fuch  regulations  and  means  of  co- 
ercion, as  would  compel  them  to 
,    become  ufeful  by  a  clofe  application 

'  to  the  labours  of  husbandry,  or  were 

^  taken  immediately  into  the  hands 
of.  government,  and  being  .provided 
with  due  proviuons  and  neceffaries 
as  its  charge,  were  applied  under 
its  infpe&ion  to  fuch  work.**  as  were 
fuited  to  their  refpeclive  ability. 

Some  connderable  attempts  have 
likewife  been  made  for  the  improve- 

*  merit  of  agriculture,  and  the  in- 
troduction of  a  better  f)  ftera  of  cul- 

'  tivation  among  the  farmers  in  Por- 
tugal. Ifce  rmmenfe  fums  of  mo- 
ney fen  t  every  year  into  Spain  for 
corn,  and  the  eonftant  drain  upon 
the  fpccie  of  the  country  by  other 
nations  for  the  fame  article,  urongly 
urged  the  neceflity  of  endeavouring 
at  leaft  to  lefifen  the  evil,  by  in- 
creafing  the  home  production  of 
grain.  It  is,  however,  *  generally 
vain  to  war  againft  the  decrees  of 
nature.  Portugal*  lite  other  coun- 
tries, has  it  peculiar  products/ but 
neither  tire  foil  or  climate  feem  ca- 
pable of  admitting  any  great  and 
cffential  improvements  in  agricul- 


ture. The  former  is  generally  to& 
thin  and  light  for  the  production  of 
grain  in  any  degree  that  would  re- 
pay the  labour  and  expente  of  the 
hufbandman,  while  the  great  heats 
and  long  droughts  would  frequently 
check  the  progrefs  of  vegetation  in 
the  bud,  were  the  foil  even  deeper 
and  better.  Some  neglected  vallies 
have  indeed  been  difcovered,  which 
had  hitherto  efcaped  culture,  and 
which  being  coated  with  a  thicker 
if  not  better  mould,  and  accord- 
ingly refitting  the  heat  more/  and 
retaining  their  moifture  longer  than 
common,  have  anfwered  kindly  to 
the  plough,  and  produced  fuch  crops 
as  were  fufficient  to  excite  hope  and 
admiration  in  a  country  generally 
fterile  of  grain.  But  it  is  too  much 
to  be  apprehended,  that  the  quan- 
tity of  fucn  valuable  foil  to  be  dis- 
covered in  the  kingdom,  will  not 
be  fufficient  to  produce  any  very 
material  change  in  the  general  pro- 
duct :  the  addition  of  a  few  hun- 
dred acres  of  new  fertile  ground  is 
a  fmall  matter 'indeed  with  refpe6t 
to  the  fupply  of  a  nation.  Thefe 
attempts,  however,  at  improvements 
in  agriculture,  gave  occafion  to  a 
report,  which  was  generally  fpread 
and  credited,  that  it  had  been  ei- 
ther in  contemplation  or  act  to 
make  a  great  reduction  of  the  vine- 
yards in  Portugal,  and  to  convert 
the  foil  into  arable  land.  This 
meafure  might  perhaps  Rave  been 
defirable  if  it  had  been  practicable; 
but  the  misfortune  is,  that  the  land:  - 
covered  with  vines  in  that  rocky 
and  mountainous  country,  is,  feldom 
fit  for  the  growing  of  corn,  and 
would  not  probably  have  turned  out 
fo  profitably  under  any  other  mode 
Of  culture  as  it  does  under  the  pre- 
fect, which  feems  to  be  that  fuited 
to  its  nature.  Indeed,  if  the  un- 
wearied 


Digitized  b) 


y  Google 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


T4I 


'wearied  induftry,  which  once  made 
the,  mountains  of  (Jrenada  fmile  in 
unexampled  verdure,  and  beauty 
under  the  cultivation  of  the  unfor- 
tunate Moors,  cbnld  be  transferred 
to  Portugal,  fome  hopes  might  be 

.entertained,  notwithstanding  the 
inferiority  of  the   country  in   foil 

,  and  climate,  of  being  thereby  able 

.  to  fupply  the  defedts  of  nature.  As 
things  really  are,  ilie  mufl  continue 
to  exchange  her- native  product^  for 
thofe  which  ihe  wants  from  other 
nations ;  and  if  thefe  are  not  equi- 
valent to  a  full  fupply,  fortune  has 
abundantly  fupplied  her  with  other 
means,  by  thofe  inexhauftibie  fources 
of  gold  and  diamonds  with  which 
Jhe  has  fo  liberally  endowed  her  in 
the  new  world. 

The  late  intimacy  and  friendfhip 
grown  up  with  Spain,  and  the  new 
alliances  concluded  with  that  king- 
dom and  France,  are  likely  for 
fome  time  to  infure  eafe  and  fecu- 
rity  to  the  government  of  Portugal. 
The  political  wifdom  of  drawing 
the  ties  ftilf  ftraiter  with  the  former, 
by  the  double  marriages  which  have 

,  taken  place,  may,  however,  be  well 
called  in  queftion  \  for  it  may  be 
laid  xlown  as  a  political  axiom  of 
the  greareft  weight  and  importance, 
that  nothing  can  be  more  danger- 
bus  t6  the  fafety  and  independence 
of  a  weaker  ftate,  than  the  enter- 
ing into  any  ties  of  affinity  with  a 
near  neighbour,  who  i^  niuch  its 
fuperior  in  power.  The  weaker 
ftate,  for  the  prefent  funfhine  of  a 

:tranfitory  fummer,  frequently  en- 
tails upon  itfelfxall  the  rigours  of  a 
long,  fevere,  and  perhaps  eternal 
winter.  Portugal  has  already,  by 
undergoing  a  degree  of  ruin  from 
which  ihe  can  never  entirely  reco- 
ver, moll  deplorably  experienced 
the  truth  of  thi*  pofition.    Spain 


herfelf  can  atteft  its  truth.  Neither 
oaths  nor  treaties  could  fave  her 
from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
houfe  of  Bourbon  ;  from  being  for 
a  long  courfe  of  years  fubje&ed  to 
all  the  calamities  of '  foreign  and 
civil  wars  raging,  in  her  very  bow- 
els ;  and  from  her  being  at  length 
facrirlced  to  intereffa  inimical  to 
her  own,  and  rendered  the"  Handing 
dupe  of  foreign  councils.  How 
dearty  has  Courland  paid  for  the 
honour  of  a  May-day  wedding  with 
a  daughter  or  Peter  the  Great? 
But  every  part  of  hiftory  abound* 
with  fuch  iriftances,  and  therqare  few 
countries  that  cannot  mew  prefent 
examples  of  them.  If  the  ftrbriger 
ftate  has  any  old  claims  (as  in  the 
prefent  cafe)  which  only  lie  dormant 
through  the  want  of  a  proper  op- 
portunity for  enforcing  them,  'then 
the  new  connection  of  affinity  is  the 
more  imprudent,,  and  becomes  the 
more  dangerous  ia  its  confequences. 
Every  minority,  every  weak  admi- 
nistration, every  change  of  fuccef- 
iion,  every  public  lofs,  and  everr 
difcontent  of  the  people,  will  afford' 
a  colour  or  pretence  for  the  fatal 
interference  of  the  greater  power. 
But  the  misfortune  is,  that  fove- 
reigns,  acting  merely  like  private 
perfons  in  the  drfpofal  of  their  chil- 
dren, look  no  farther  than  to  their 
immediate  family  interells  arid  fa- 
tisfa&ion,'  while  they  entirely  over- 
look the  fecurity  and  prosperity  of 
the  people  whom  they  govern,  and 
to  whom  they  owe  every  thing.  In 
no  country  could  an  error  of  this 
nature  be  more  dangerous  than  in 
Portugal ;  as  the  animofity  between  - 
that  people  and  the  Spaniards  is  fo 
extreme  and  incurable,  that  no  u-  ' 
niorx  of  government  can  take  place 
between  them,  in  which  the  de- 
.  pendent  nation  muft  not  be  reduced 

to 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


4*1 


ANNUAL  REGISTER,   17166. 


to  extreme  raifery,  and  to" the  moft 
abje&  Hate  of  degradation. 

It  feems  that  the  prepofterous 
marriages  between  uncles  and  nie- 
ces, nephews  and  aunts,  which  fo 
peculiarly  diftinguifhed  the  royal 
line  of  Portugal,  and  which  cuftpm 
had  rendered  too  familiar,  began  ajt 
length  to  threaten  the  extinction  of 
the  houfe  of  Braganza,  through  die 
failure  of  iffue  tp  which  thefe  marri- 
ages were  fo  naturally  liable  -,  and 
this  alarming  confideration,  along 
with  the  defire  of  cancelling  all  pail 
jealoufies,  and  cementyig  friendship 
and  good  neighbourhood  with  Spain, 
were  the  motives  which  led  to  the 
meafure  in  queflion.  for  the  mar- 
riage between  the  prince  of  Brazil 
and  his  aunt,  not  having  hitherto, 
proved  propitious,  and  the  profpecl 
of  iifae  from  it  being  now  probably 
hopelefs,  it  became  neceflary  that 
his  brother  Don  Juan  ihould  in  time 
procure  a  wife  that  feeined  capable 
of  fupplying  that  deleft. 

Italy  has  fuffqred  the  hard  fortune 
©f  late  years,  of  being  more  diftin- 
goifeed  by  volcanoes,  earthquakes, 
and  the  calamities  incidentto  thofe 
awful  and  deftru&ive  phenomena 
of  nature,  than  by  thofe  great  ac- 
tions, or  tbofe  fplendid  exertions  of 
talents  and  fcience,  which  have  in 
fuch  early  ages,  and  at  fuch  remote 
periods,  either  exhibited  her  as  the 
feourge  and  terror,' or  as  the  inftruc- 
trefs,  civilizer,  and  admiration  of 
mankind.  She  is  not,  however, 
even  at  the  prefent  day,  deftitute  of 
fcience,  philofophy,  or  of  learned 
men,  who,  dedicating  their  time 
and  labours  to  the  moft  ufeful  ftu- 
dies  and  beneficial  purfuits,  afford 
honourable  testimonies  that  her  an- 
cient genius  is  by  no  means  extin- 
guifhed ;  and  that  whatever,  in  the 
viciffitudss  of  faftiion,  diipofitionA 


and  things,  fhe  may  have  loll  in  the 
practical  arts,  has  been  amply  fup- 
plied  in  other  refpe&s  not  lefs  uie- 
ful. 

It  was  little  to  be  expected  that 
the  prefent  degradation  of  the  papa- 
cy, and  that  unexampled  lofs  of  pow- 
er and  refource  which  the  court  of 
Rome  has  within  lefs  than  au  age  fuf- 
tained,  fhould  have  been  dignified 
by  a  public  labour  of  fuch  magnitude 
aud  utility,  as  would  have  done  ho- 
nour to  ancient  Rome  in  the  days  of 
her  pride  and  glory.  The  prefent 
pontiff,  Pius  the  Vlth,  has,  how- 
ever, determined  to  render  his  name 
and  age  memorable,  by  gallantly 
undertaking,  and  bravely  perfever- 
ing  in  the  Herculean  talk  of  drain- 
ing the  Pontine  marines;  an  un- 
dertaking the  more  meritorious, 
and  indeed  glorious,  as  feveral  of 
his  predecenors,  as  well  as  of  the 
weftern  emperors,  had  already  failed 
in  the  attempt ;  which  had  accord- 
ingly been  long  con fidered  as  hope- 
lets. 

The  pope  has  been  engaged  for 
fome  years,  with  unwearied  per fe** 
verance,  and  at  an  immenie  ex- 
pence,  in  the  profecution  of  this  de- 
fign  ;  and  the  fuccefs  with  which  it 
has  already  been  attended,  feems  to 
warrant  an  afTurance  that  it  will  not 
be  abandoned.  It  is,  however,  to 
be  wjfhed,  that  the  man  who  had 
courage  and  generofity,  fo  late  in 
life,  to  venture  upon  fo  great  an, 
undertaking,  and  nobly  to  apply 
his  wealth  to  the  preftaat  and  future 
benefit  of  mankind,  may  have  the 
pleafure  of  feeing  its  accompliih- 
ment,  and  of  reaping,  without  di- 
minution, that  glory  which  he  fo 
amply  merits.  The  Appian  Way, 
which  had  for  fo  many  ages  been 
loft,  and  buried  under  a  deep  morafs, 
£as  at  length  been  'recovered,  clear- 


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HISTORY  OF    EURO  Pg. 


£43 


.ed,  repaired,  and  will  foon  be  ren- 
dered palfable,  houfes  being  already 
built  for  the  convenience  of  travel- 
lers, and  fccility  of  commerce,  and 
a  time  fixed  for  the  poft  to  pafs 
that  way.  But  thefe  are  only  a 
£nall  part  of  the  benefits  to  be  de- 
rived nrora  this  admirable  improve- 
ment. Befldes  recovering  a  large 
tracl  of  fetHe  land  to  the  ufe  of  the 
.  public,  which  has  fo  long  been  only 
the  noifome  fource  of  (tench  and 
peftilential  exhalations,  and  greaUy 
adorning  and  beautifying  the  face  of 
the  country,  it  will  m  time  have 
the  happy  effect  of  contributing' 
greatly  to  purify  the  air,  and  of 
tending  to  prevent.thofe  dangerous 
and  fatal  diforder6,  which,  as  regu- 
larly as  the  feafbn,  every  furamer 
juifeft  for  many  miles  the  environs 
of  Rome.  It  will  like  wife  tend 
more  remotely  to  a  iimilar  draining 
and  improvement  of  the  Campania 
jn  general,  and  of  rendering  it  again 
tl*e  feat  of  population  and  culture, 
if  not  of  beauty,  which  it  was  in 
the  bands  of  the  ancient  Romans. 
Upon  the  whole  it  will,  if  com- 
pleted/ be  a  work  truly  royal,  and 
worthy  the  emulation  of  kings ! 

Some  differences  which  fiibfifted 
between  the  courts  of  Naples  and 
Madrid,  originating  entirely  in  pri- 
yate  and  family  matters  and  jea- 
loufies,  jand  feeming  now  to  be  en- 
tirely done  away,  do  not  require  any 
particular  notice.  The  young  king 
felt  and  di (played  the  right  he  had 
to  an  emancipation  from  direc- 
tion, and  to  think  and  a&  as  an  in- 
dependent fovereigri,  fooner  than 
was  probably  wifhed  or  expected  5 
njpr  does  he  perhaps  pay  all  that 
regard  to  foreign,  views  and  inte- 
rests, which  thofe  grown  old  in  fyf-, 
tern,  and  habituated  to  a  certain 
political  creed*  from  whicb  no  de- 


viation was  to  be  admitted,  might 
think  abfolutely  neeeilary.  t  That 
increafe  of  courage,  force,  and  de- 
predation, which  has  of  late  fo  emi- 
nently and  dangerouily  dimnguilh^ 
ed  the  piratical  ftates  of  Barbary, 
and  fo  greatly  audjuftly  alarmed  all 
the  chrulian  nations  bordering  on 
the  Mediterranean,  has  occaiioned 
the  king  of  Naples  to  pay  an  at-» 
ten  lion  to  the  forming  of  a  marine 
force,  which  had  not  been  before 
known  in  this  newly-revived  mo- 
narchy, although  fo  peculiarly  de- 
manded by  its  fituation. 

The  Neapolitans  can  now  boaft 
more  than  one  fliip  of  the  line,  of 
their  own  conttru&ion,  befides  feve- 
ral  good  frigates,  and  a  confidera- 
ble  force  in  gallies,  and  the  other 
veflels  peculiar  to  that  fea  ;  and  can 
farther  hoaft  of  having  behaved  with 
diftinguifhed  courage,  and  acquir- 
ing no  fmall  honour  in  the  lait  at- 
tacks made  by  Spain  upon  Algiers. 
The  king  feems  himfelf  to  have  a 
peculiar  difpofitiou  to  naval  affairs, 
which  may  be  gathered  not  only 
from  the  marked  diilin&ion  with 
which  he  hasconftantly  treated  thofe  t 
BritiOi  commanders  of  royal  fhipi  * 
or  fquadrons  that  have  arrived  in 
the  bay  of  Naples,  but  from  the  cu- 
rious attention  with  which  he  ex- 
amined the  conftru&ion  and  manner 
of  working  of  their  veffels,  and  the 
evident-pleafure  with  which  he  has 
regarded  their  various  evolutions. 

We  have  heretofore  had  occafion 
more  than  once  to  pay  due  praife  to 
the  grand  duke  of  Tufcany,  for  the 
many  excellent  regulations  which 
he  had  introduced  into  the  govern- 
ment of  that  dutchy,  with  refpe& 
to  the  adminittration  both  of  eccle- 
fiaftical  and  fecular  affairs;  and 
have  particularly  applauded  the,  re- 
forms vhich  he  bad  made  in  the 
difpenfe- 


Digitized  by  CjOOQIC 


44l        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


difpenfation  of  civil  and  criminal 
juftice,  and  the  mitigation  of  penal 
puniihments.  This  diipoiition  con- 
tinues with  unabating,  and,  perhaps,*1 
increafing  force  j  and  there  is  no  dif- 
polition  which  requires  a  more  can* 
tious  guard  or  conltant  check  upon 
it,  than  that  which  leads  to  reform, 
•for  it  eaflly  and  imperceptibly  grows 
into  a  pa  in  on  for'  innovation  ;  be- 
comes capricious  or  cruel,  as  cir- 
cumftance  or  oppofition,  the  in  fir* 
mity  of  nature,  or  obftinacy  of  age, 
may  chance  to  give  it  a  bias;  will 
-  at  length  Sacrifice  the  inherent 
rights,  or  deareft  ieelings  of  man- 
kind, to  the  petty  gratification  of 
rounding  a  f  fiem,  or  the  hope  of 
framing  fome  clockwork  eftablifh- 
ment  of  things,  which  their  nature 
forbids  to  exift  ;  and  thus  may  end 
in  the  moft  abfolute  and  deplorable 
tyranny  of  mind  and  body. 

The  failure  of  fo  many  of  his 
brother,  the  emperor's,  multifarious 
projects,  and  the  ill-will  and  ridi- 
cule of  which  a  much  greater  num- 
ber were  fo  abundantly  productive, 
and  particularly  the  oppofition  made 
by  that  part  of  his  fubje&s,  which 
had  been  the  1  on ge ft  inured  to  here- 
ditary defpotifm,  to  the  edict  for 
confuming  the  dead  bodies  of  their 
friends  in  lime,  and  which,  notwith- 
standing his  vaft  power,  and  a  per- 
feverance,  which  is  fuppofed  to  be 
clofely  allied  to  obftinacy,  he  found 
%it  necefTary  to  recal,  might  have 
afforded  Sufficient  warning  to  the 
grand  duke,  not  to  be  too  hafty  in 
violating  the  common  feelings,  and 
general  opinions,  or  even^prejudices 
ofmankincl. 

*  Yet,  without  regard  to  thefe  cbn- 
%  ^derations  or  examples,  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  ancient  and  beautiful 
city  of  Florence  are  compelled  eter- 
nally to  refign  the  dead  bodies  of 


their  deareft  friends,  within  afh6rt 
limited  term  after  their  deceafc, 
without  any  diftin&ion  of  age,  fex, 
beauty,  rank,  or  quality,  into  the 
rude  ?.n"d  vulgar  hands  of  that  loweffc 
clafs  of  mankind,  who  could  alone 
be  found  to  Submit  t»o  fo  odious  au 
employment.  All  the  circum (lan- 
ces relative  to-  this  difpofal  of  the 
dead,  are  odious  and  horrid  in  the 
extreme. '  A  machine,  upon  the  cori- 
ftruction' of  a  waggon,  and  large 
enough  to  contain  all  the  dead  ©f 
the  city,  calls  about  midnight  ; 
the  body  muft  be  delivered  ltark 
naked,  and  is  thrown  headlong  intd 
this  common  receptacle,  amidft  the 
carcafes  of  all  forts,  and  in  all  ftates 
of  diftemper,  which  it  already  holds  j 
fo  that  the  grave  is  not  necefTar-y  in 
this  inftance  to  level  al!  diftin6tion  : 
the  friends  and  relations  can  neither 
iee,  hear,  or  know  any  thing  far- 
ther of  the  loved  h^iband,  wife, 
child,  or  parent.  The  horrid  wag- 
gon is  driven  in  the  dark  to  a  walled 
cemetery,  at  a  few  miles  di fiance, 
where  the  bodies  are  thrown  promrf- 
cuoufly  into  one  common  grave :  the 
thief,  the  murderer,  and  thofe  whofe 
bodies  are  already  putrid  with  the 
moft  loathfome  di (tempers,  being 
thus  indiscriminately  blended  with 
learning,  virtue,  courage,  the  un- 
fpotted  matron  of  high  rank,  and 
the  mocleft  delicate  virgin,  wh6fe 
opening  beauties  feera  yet  Scarcely 
faded. 

Such  an  outrage  upon  all  the 
feelings  and  habits  of  humanity, 
upon  thofe  mournful  duties  and  at^. 
tentions  to  the  remains  of  the  de- 
ceased, which  time*  and  piety  had 
rendered  Sacred  in  almoft  air  ages1 
and  countries,  to  the  laws  of  deco- 
rum and  decency,  and  to  the  deli- 
cacy of  the  foiter  fex,  has  Seldom 
been  attempted.  The  dreadful  enor- 
mities 


^v 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF    EUR,OPE. 


[45 


unities  to  which  the  bodies  may  in 
Ibrne  cafes  be  fubje&ed,  under  the 
ruffianly  hands  to  which  they  are 
committed,  will  be.  felt  by  thofe 
"who  know  the  profligacy  of  man- 
Irind., 

It  needs  fcarcely  to  be  mentioned, 
that  this  regulation}  if  it  deferves 
$0  gentle  a  name,  has  excited  the 
utmoft  difguft  and  horror  in  the  in- 
habitants of  Florence  and  its  eu- 
Tirons  ;•  particularly  thole  of  the 
fuperior  orders.  It  is  faid  that  the 
nobility  have  abandoned  their  beau- 
tiful villas,  whether  in  fight  of  the 
cemetery,  or  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  road  through  which  the  hor- 
rible night-waggon  takes  its  ftated 
courle.  Pafquinades,  epigrams,  and 
bitter  private  complaints  and  re- 
flections, afford  the  only  vent  which 
the  people  have  yet  found  for  their 
indignation  and  grief.  In  this  date 
•f  vexation,  the  mcafure  in  queilion 


has  been  feverely  attributed  to  the 
arbitrary  levelling  difpofition  of  the 
hqule  of  Aultria,  who  wifhing.tp 
eftabliih  European  government  up- 
on what  is  commonly  but  errone,- 
oufly  fuppofed  the  Afiatic  model  and 
principle,,  would  wiih  to  deftroy  alj 
the  ufual  dilttnetions  among  men, 
and  to  reduce  them  to  the  fimplc 
condition  of  fovereigns  and  Haves. 
It  is  indeed  to  be  regretted,  that  the 
grand  duke,  who  in  other  refpe&s 
has  done  much  to  the  fatisfaclibn, 
and  for  the  good  of  his  fubjects,  and 
thereby  gained  their  affection"  in  a 
very  confiderable  degree,  mould 
thus  have  hazarded  his  well-earned 
popularity,  by  haltily  adopting  a 
project  fo  evidently  repugnant  to 
general  opinion,  and  which  carried  * 
with  it  the  appearance  of  invading  - 
the  common  rights,  and  wantonly'; 
fporting  with  the  tendered  feeling*  • 
of  mankind. 


CHAP.      III. 


Jtetrofpeclive  view  continued.  Venice.  War  with  Tunis.  Germany.  Difappoint* 
merit  in  the  Emperor  s  commercial  views.  Failure  of  the  Afiatic  company „  A  dent 
crown  and-  regalia  of  Hungary  removed  from  Prcfburg  to  Vienna.  Archduke 
Maximilian fucceeds  to  the  eleclorate  of  Cologn.  Admirable  improvements  in  the 
ecclefiaftical  eleclorates.  Pa/oral  letter  from  the  eleclor  of  Triers,  Death  of  the  ^ 
Landgrave  of  Heffe  CaffeU  Turkey.  Jfew  prophet.  $ome  account  of  the  Sheicb 
Manfour.  Porte  obliged  to  procure  a  peace  for  the  Emperor* s  fuhjecls  with  the 
Barbary  Jfates:  Perfian  fbyfician  xonfirucls  a  balloon  at  Conftantinople^  and 
afcends  fuccefsfully  into  the  air9  whb  two  others,  in  the  prefence  of  the  court  and" 
city.  Nobly  rewarded  by  the  Grand  Signior.  proffered  fervice*  of  a  celebrated 
aeronaut^  about  the  fame  time  rejecled  by  the  Empenr  and  the  king  of  Prujpar, 
All  attempts  of  the  fort  forbidden  in  the  Ruffian  empire.  ,  Denmark.  Prince  Royal,, 
difplaying  uncommon  .early  abilities ,  is  declared  major.  Unexpected  revolution 
in  the  mint/try,  and'wifdom  with  which  it  was  conducled.  New  council  or 
adminijiration  formed  under  the  aufpices  of  the  prince.  Queen  Dowager  prtfenud, 
njoitb  the  royal  cajlle  of  Frederickflurgb,  in  Holftein,  tj  which  jSe  retires.  Prince 
fupports  with  luftre  the  early  hopes  formed  of  bis  talents  and  virtues.  Becomes  the 
tncourager  of  literature,  a'nd-patron  of  learned  men.    Liberal and fuccefsful  attempt' 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


46]        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  t?86. 

to  recover  the  antiquities,  and  to  procure  materials  for  fJMlijthg  the  bijtoty  of  the 
northern  nations.  Suceeffion  of  irregular  feafons*  vmb  indent  jbocks  of  the  earth, 
extraordinary  commotions  in  the  heavens,  and  other  natural  tevilst  produce  great 
calamities  to  mankind  in  various  parrs  of  the  nsorld.  Pcftilence  de folates  tb* 
coafts  of  the  Levant  with  unexampled  malignity.  Failure  of  barvefis  m  Europe. 
,  Many  parts  of  Italy,  Hungary,  Germany,  and  France  defolated  through  tbm 
inundations  of  their  great  rivers.  Prince  Leopold  of  Brunfwick  unfortunately 
ferifbes  in  the  Oder.  Famine  and  diftreps  of  every  kind  prevail  in  the  not  them 
kingdoms.  Rujfta  refufes  the  fiipulated  fupply  of  grain  to  Sweden  from  Livonia  f 
«wbicb  increafes  the  calamity  of  that  country.  Complicated  diflrejes  of  Norway* 
Unexampled  deftruclion,  and.  calamity  of  Iceland. 


THE  republic  of , Venice  feems 
for  fome  time  paft  to  have 
been  rather  departing  from  that 
quiefcent  and  pacific  fyftem,  which 
has  been  fo  peculiarly  her  characte-. 
riftic  fince  the  beginning  of  the  pre- 
sent century.  Befides  her  late  quar- 
rel with  the  Dutch,  which,  confi- 
dering  tlie  extreme  obliittacy,  and  a 
fort  of  fifterly  captiouihefs  and  jea- 
loufy  which  appeared  in  both  the 
parties,  would  not  have  been  eafily 
qualified,  if  the  ill  humour  of  one 
bad  not  been  fuddenly  arreted  by 
immediate  and  imminent  danger, 
Hie  has  ever  fince  been  engaged  in 
an  expenfive  and  unprofitable  ma- 
ritime war  with  the  regency  of  Tu- 
nis. We  do  not  recollect  that  the 
occafions  for  this  war  were  greater, 
or  the  offences  given  of  a  deeper  dye, 
than  tbofe  which  ufually  occur  in 
tranfaclions  with  the  African  rfotes. 
The  Venetian  fleet  have,  however, 
repeatedly  infulted  the  coafts  of  that 
Jcingdom,  have  cannonaded  and 
bombarded,  with  lefs  or  greater 
efted,  feveral  of  the  Tunifian  ports 
or  maritime  fortrefles,  and  have 
particularly  fucceeded  in  deflroying 
the  defences  of  Sfax,  and  laying  the 
town  in  alhes. 

Although  from  that  commercial 
difpofition  which  fo  lingularly  dif- 
tingutlhes  the  ftate  ef  Tunis,  a  war 
%i  this  nature  is  infinitely  more  pre* 


judicial  to  it  than  it  would  to  any 
other  of  the  Barbary  powers,  yet 
the  obftinacy  of  the  dey  has  hither- 
to appeared  unconquerable.  He 
had  laid  it  down  at  the  beginning, 
as  a  principle  never  to  be  departed- 
from,  that  a  full  indemnification,  on 
the  fide  of  Venice,  for  all  the  ex- 
pen  ces  he  had  been  put  to  in  arming' . 
and  defence,  and  every  lofs  whicl* 
he  or  his  fubje&s  fuftained  in  the 
war,  fhould  be  iht  fine  qua  non,  the* 
leading  preliminary  to  a  peace  % 
and  without  which  no  terms  of  ac- 
commodation can  ever  be  received 
or  Hfiened  to.  To  this  refolution 
he  has  adhered  with  the  utmoft  in- 
flexibility ;  and  the  republic  is  ir*, 
the  itrange  fituation,  that  ever/ 
fuccefs  ihe  gains  only  ferves  to  ren- 
der the  conclufion  of  peace  the  more 
impracticable.  Their  admiral  Emo 
has,  however,  gained  conliderable 
credit  and  applaufe  by  his  conduct 
and  exertions,  and  their  marine 
fome  reputation  and  experience  in 
this  war.  Perhaps  the  old  lion  of 
St.  Mark  is  only  whetting  his  claws 
and  trying  his  itrength  in  fmall  ad- 
venture, in  ordej;  to  prepare  him- 
felf  for  fome  harder  and  greater 
encounter,  which  he  forefees  the 
probable  occafion  for  in  that  quar- 
ter of  Europe.  It  is  indeed  pro- 
bable, confidering  the  ceconomical 
difpofition  of  the  republic,  that  tiic 

war 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY  OF  EUROPE. 


[47 


War  with  Tunis  is  only  a  pretext  for 
keeping  up  a  considerable  naval  ar- 
maraent.     > 

While  the  commercial  ftate  of 
Venice  is  addreffing  itfelf  to  arms, 
the  emperor  has  already  experienced 
that  difappointment  in  his  com- 
mercial fchemes,  to  which  thofeare 
liable  who  attempt  to  over-rule  or 
counteract  the  defigns  of  nature,  in 
that  diiiribution  which  fhe  has 
thought  fit  to  make  of  advantage  or 
incommodity  to  the  various  fitua- 
tions  of  mankind.  This  disappoint- 
ment was  the  more  fenfibly  felt,  as 
it  affected  that  favourite  and  capti- 
vating part  of  bis  projects,  which 
was  to  render  the  remote  tails  or 
outfkirts  of  his  widely  extended 
continental  dominions,  the  fources 
of  a  great  and  productive  commerce 
with  the  eaftern  world.  The  Alia  tic 
company  of  Offend  and  Triefte, 
which  had  been  fo  much  the  favou- 
rite object  of  his  nurture,  care  and 
hope,  and  which  probably  afforded 
a  leading  motive  for  his  quarrel 
with  Holland,  and  attempt  of  open- 
ing the  Scheldt,  became  bankrupt 
for  the  heavy  fum  of  twenty  milli- 
ons of  French  livres,  early  in  the 
fuinmer  of  1785.  This  heavy  blow, 
which  fevereiy  affected  the  whole 
riling  commerce  of  the  'Autiriau 
Netherlands,  and  the  monied  men 
in  other  parts  of  his  dominions,  as  , 
well  as  foreigners,  was  faid  to  have 
been  accelerated  by  the  fpirit  of 
ibme  Dutch  merchants,  whofe  in- 
dignation being  excited  at  the  un- 
juil  claims  which  they  conceived 
that  prince  was  making  upon  their 
country,  procured,  as  a  meafure  of 
retaliation,  bills  for  a  great  amount 
to  be  drawn  upon  the  Aliatic  com- 
pany from  Paris  ;  and  thefe  being 
unexpectedly  preiented,  and,  in  the 
ufu«rl  mercantile  manner,  protefted 


for  non-payment,  this  excited  fo 
great  and  fudden  an  alarm  among 
the  other  creditors,  that  the  Count 
de/  Preli,  the  principal  or  oftenfible 
director,  was  obliged  to  abfcond, 
and  the  whole  commercial  fabric 
fell  at  once  to  the  ground.  It  was 
not,  however,  now  neceiTary.  to  ef- 
tablifh  the  axiom,  that  commerce, 
at  leaft  in  her  nonage,  muff  walk 
flowly  and  regularly,  with  peace  in 
one  hand,  and  with  juftice  in  the 
other,  if  fhe  expects  to  grow  or  t<* 
floiirifh  ;  and  that  unbridled  power, 
immenfe  ftanding  armies,  views  o£ 
conqueft,  and  rapacious  violations  pf 
good  faith  and  neighbourhood,  art? 
utterly  incompatible  with  her  pro- 
fperity,  whofe  arts  are  all  of  the 
conciliatory  kind. 

Nor  does  it  feem,  that  the  empe* 
ror  has  been  much  more  fortunate 
in  his  other  commercial  projects  thaflL 
in  his  Eaft  India  adventure.  Even 
the  new  trade  of  the  Danube  and 
Black  Sea,  from  which  fuch  wonders 
had  been  expected,  and  which  had 
been  fo  hardly  wreired  from  the 
Porte  in  the  hour  of  diffrefs  and 
danger,  is  faid  to  have  hitherto  af- 
forded little  more  than  difappoint- 
ment and  lofs ;  nor  is  the  com- 
merce of  the  Adriatic  represented  as 
being  much  more  productive.  In 
the  mean  time,  the  internal  com- 
merce of  his  dominions,  which  is 
naturally  very  great. and  productive, 
and  capable  of  prodigious  improve- 
ment, is  dilturbed  and  overlaid  by 
that  infinite  feries  of  edicts  and  re- 
gulations, which  frequently  mili- 
tating with  each  other,  as  well  as 
with  all  the  principles  of  trade,  art* 
deftructive  of  that  quiet,  liability, 
and  power  of  free  agency,  which 
are  eilential  to  its  exiltence ;  and 
which,  if  they  do  not  prove  ruinous 
to  thofe  already  concerned,  will  at 

leaft 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


4S]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,  178^ 


Icaft  deter  others  from  hazarding 
tl>eir  property  upon  fuch  quickfand 
foundations.  Among  thefe  are  to  be 
reckoned  thofe  heavy  duties,  amount- 
ing an  effect:  to  prohibitions,  which 
•were  laid  upon  various  Engjiih  ma- 
nufactures, particularly  thofe  of  iron 
and  fteel,  which,  from  their  extra- 
vagance, and  the  failure  of  confider- 
ing  or  understanding  their  certain 
©r  probable  confequences,  carried 
their  own  overthrow  along  with 
them,  and  have  accordingly  been 
fince  either  abolifhed  or  modified. 
This  has,  however,  been  conudered 
rather  as  a  political  meafure,  than  a 
tnere  aft  of  commercial  regulation, 
arid  attributed  to  the  refentment  ex- 
cited by  the  king  of  Great  Britain's 
acceinon,  as  ele&or  of  Hanover,  to 
the  Germanic  league,  which  was  an 
object  of  fo  much  jealoufy  and  vex- 
ation to  the  court  of  Vienna. 

Of  the  numerous  innovations 
which  are  faid  to  have  occafioned  fo 
much  difgult  and  dilfatisfaftion  a- 
mongtheHungarians,fewcouldfeem 
better  calculated  for  that  purpofe, 
efpecially  toa  proud,  fierce  and  fuper- 
ititiou*  people,. violently  attached  to 
their  old  manners  and  habits,  and 
(till  vain  of  a  liberty  and  glory  which 
have  been  long  defunct,  than  the 
meafure  adopted  by  the  emperor  in 
the  year  1784,  of  removing  their 
ancient  crown  and  regalia  from  Pref- 
burgh  to  Vienna.  The  crown  was 
fortified  with  all  thofe  fanclions, 
which  in  paft  ages  could  render  it 
the  fuppofed  palladium  of  a  country; 
It  had  been  a  pre  fen  t  fo  long  ago  as 
the  year  1000,  from  Pope  Sylveiter 
the  JId  to  St.  Stephen,  then  king 
of  Hungary )  fo  that  all  the  reve- 
rence of  fanctity,  was  added  to  that 
communicated  by  time.  The  crown 
was  of  pure  and  (olid  gold,  and,  to 
fiamp  the  greater  value  on  it,  it  was 


made  after  the  fafhion  of  that  wort* 
By  the  Greek  emperors ;  it  .was 
adorned  with  an  emerald  of  great, 
fize,  and  feveral  hundreds  of  rubies, 
fapphires  and  pearls  j  befides  being 
ornamented  with  images  of  the 
aportles  and  ^  patriarchs  in  marly, 
gold.  The  pope  added  to  the  crown 
a  donation  of  a  large  filver  cro fs, 
which  was  afterwards  in ferted  in  the 
arms  of  Hungary,  and  afforded  an 
-opportunity  to  its  kings  to  a  flume 
the  title  of  Apcftolic ;  a  title  latterly 
revived  and  aifutned  by  the  late 
Maria  Thercfa  j  x  who  was  crowned 
queen  of  Hungary  with  this  regalia 
at  Prefburgh,  in  the  days  of  her 
greater!:  tribulation*  Thefe,  with, 
the  fceptre  and  globe  of  the  king- 
dom, which  boatted,  befides  their 
antiquity,  being  made  of  pure  Ara- 
bian gold,  a  magnificent  two-edged 
fword,  and  a  curious  mantle  for  co- 
ronations, richly  wrought  Nin  gold 
with  figures,  images,  and  inferip- 
tions,  by  Gifele,  the  celebrated  con- 
fort  of  St.  Stephen,  were  all  carried 
away  to  Vienna. 

It  feemed  rather  -a  wanton  fporU 
ing  with  the  feelings  of  fuch  a  peo- 
ple, to  deprive  them  of  thefe  veftir 
ges  of  loft)  royalty,  and  harmlefs 
objects  of  national  pride.  If  it  was 
any  relief  or  gratification  to  a  peo- 
ple, bending  under  the  irkiome 
weight  of  a  foreign  yoke,  to  fee 
that  their  matters  were  once  in  their 
lives  under  a  neceffity  of  vifitirig 
them,  and  of  receiving  the  infignia 
of  royalty  and  government  at  their 
hands,  why  Ihould  they  not  be  in- 
dulged in  fo  innocent  a  gratification  ? 
Nor  is  the  necellity  of  fuch  obferr 
vances,  however  trivial  they  may 
appear,  entirely  unimportant  to  a 
people,  as  they  are  fymbols  of  their* 
conhe&iod  with  the  governing  pow- 
er, and  ferve  occasionally  to  remind 

it 


Digitized  by  LnOO( 


History  of  Europe. 


[49 


it  of  its  duties.  Feeble  ties  indeed ! 
but  what  ties  are  ftrong  to  controul 
the  extravagancies  of  power  ?  All 
we  can  do  is  to  fupply  with  number 
the  deficiency  of  ftrength,  and  to 
hope  that  thofe  leffer  ones  may  ope- 
rate on  the  imagination,  where  the 
greater  fanctions  fail  to  lay  hold 
upon  the  levity,  or  to  fubdue  the 
vicioufnefs  of  our  nature.  The  fpi-  - 
rits  of  the  Hungarians  have  been 
too  much  broken,  and  the  meafures 
of  late  years  purfued  to  make  them 
degenerate  from  their  antient  'cha- 
racter,, have  been  too  fuccefsful,  for 
this  or  any  other  meafure  to  produce 
any  much  greater  effect'  than  that 
of  private  murmur.  Indeed,  what 
Tpirits  could  remain  unbroken,  un- 
der the  controul  of  a  (landing  army 
of  300,000  men  ? 

The  Arch  Duke  Maximilian's 
acceflion  to  the  electorate  of  Co- 
logne, and  to  its  great  appendage 
the  fovereign  btfhopric  of  Munfter, 
(which  forms  fo  potent  a  principality 
in  itfelf )  upon  the  death  of  the  'late 
elector,  in  1784,  was  no  novelty  in 
the  affairs  of  Germany,  as  being  a 
matter  already  fettled  by  his  previ- 
ous election  to  the  coadjutorfliip ; 
an  election  which  we  may  remem- 
ber had  been  warmly,  and  with 
much  ftrength  of  realbning  and  po- 
litical judgment,  oppofed  by  the 
king  of  Pruflia 5  though  the  fupe- 
riority  of  the  Auftrian  intereft  ren- 
dered his  arguments,  and  interposi- 
tion ineffectual.  This  prince  has 
hitherto  taken  no  apparent  part  in 
the  general  polities  of  Germany  > 
and  by  the  attention  he  pays  to  the 
government  of  his  electorate,  and 
the  good  of  his  Subjects,  has  already 
acquired  their  affection,  as  well  as 
the  elleem  of  his  neighbours,  in  a 
very  confiderable  degree;  and  which 
a  wife  and  munificent  difpofal  of  his 

Vol.  XXVIII. 


great  and  princely  revenues  (to 
which  his  inclination  is  faid  to  lead 
him)  will  effectually  fecure. 

The  extraordinary  change  which 
has  taken  place  in  the  circumftances 
of  the  three  ecclejiaftical  electorates, 
within  lefs  than  an  age,  whether  con* 
fidered  with  regard' to  improvements 
in  civil  or  ecclefiaftical  government, 
to  the  wearing-off  of  prejudices,  the 
extenfion  of  religious  toleration^  to 
the  introduction  of  a  judicious  fyftem 
of  education,  the  eftablifhment  of 
public  lchools,  and  the  encourage- 
ment given  to  learning,  and  the  cul-» 
tivation  of  the  arts  and  fcienceg 
among  the  fuperior  claffes  of  the 
people,  is  in  every  refpect  truly 
furprifing;  and  will  be  confidered 
as  the  more  admirable,  under  the 
reflection  that  thefe  great  improve- 
ments are  not  the  effect  of  any  re- 
ligious or  political  revolution,  of 
any  change  in  the  order  or  nature 
of  government,  nor  of  any  foreign 
or  doraeftic  violence  upon  the  dif- 
pofition  either  of  princes  or  peo- 
ple. 

A  paftoral  letter,  which  was  if- 
fued  in  the  year  1784,  .by  the  elec- 
tor and  archbiihop  of  Triers  to  his 
clergy,  will  ferve  confiderably  to 
illuitrate  this  obfervation,  and  hi 
the  more  remarkable,  as  that  prince 
(who  is  of  the  houfe  of  Saxony)  is 
confidered  as  being  peculiarly  at- 
tached to  the  tenets  of  that  church 
of  which  he  is  £b  confiderable  2. 
member;  and  that  the  outward 
marks  of  his  zeal  in  that  refpect. 
have  gone  much  beyond  any,  that 
have  been  difplayed  by  his  brethren 
of  Mentz  and  Cologne. 

This  curious  paftoral  letter  will, 
however,  fpeak  for  him  and  for  it- 
felf. After  ftating  to  his  clergy  the 
objects  which  they  lhould  have  in 
view,  and  the  conduct  which  they 

[/>]  fhould 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


$o]        ANNUAL  REGISTER,   17& 


ihould  obferve  fn  the  difcharge  of 
thofe  .facred  ftmdious  to  which  they 
are  affigned  ;  he  dwells  particularly 
upon    the  inftru&ions  which  they 
ihpuld  give  to  the  people  on  religi- 
ous fubje&s;    and  ftri&ly  charges 
the  rectors  to  confine  tbemfelves  in 
their  fermons  to  morality,  and  to 
the' '  practical   duties  of  a  virtuous 
life,  which  all  may  underftand  and 
profit  by,  inftead  of  entering  into 
abftrufe  queftions  and   theological 
difquifitions,  which,  beyond  the  ca- 
pacity Of  moft  of  their  auditors, 
lerve  only  to  excite  troublefome  or 
dangerous  doubts,  and  to  diffufe  an 
idle  fpirit  of  difputation,  which  fre- 
quently tends  to  the  treating  of  the 
moft  delicate  or  facred  fubje&s  with 
irreverence.    He  then  ftri&ly  pre- 
fcribes  that  all  luxury  ihould  be  ba- 
niihed  from  the  churches:  obierv- 
ing  (rather  in  the  fentiments  of  a 
prefbyterof  a  reformed  church,  than 
the  language- of  a  Roman^Datholic 
prince  and  prelate)  "  That  neatnefs 
and  decency  are  all  that  are*  be- 
fitting the  Houfe   of  the  Lord :" 
that,  on  days  of  ceremony,  worldly 
magnificence  mould  be  avoided,  the 
effect  of  which  was  to  excite  more 
.  of  curioflty  than  of  devotion ;    and 
forbids  that  the  rhufic  of  the  theatres 
ihould   ever,  be   brought  into -the 
churchfes.     He  enjoins  the  parlors  to 
ufe  their  utmoft  endeavours  to  unde- 
ceive and  to  wean  the  people  from 
their  prefent  abfurd  notions  and  pre- 
judices, concerning  wizards,  phan- 
toms, fpells^nd  raifing  the  devil,  all 
of  which  are  the  offspring  of  the 
grofleft  folly  ana*  ignorance;    that 
they  fhall  difcharge  to  their  flocks 
the  refpe&ive  functions  of  fathers, 
judges,  and  i'pi  ritual  phyficians;  that 
they^ihould  vifit  them  frequently ; 
and  that  they  ihould  never,  except 
in  cafes  of  abfolute  neceffity,  fend 

3 


fuhftitutes  to  fupply  their  own  pla€6 
among  the  poor,  who  are  thofe  that 
ftand  moft  in  need  of  confolation  and 
aififtance. 

It  ihould  not  be  forgotten  here, 
•  that  the  Elector  of  Mentz  has  com- 
menced a  reform  of  the  eccleiiaftical 
orders  in  his  dominion  ;  that  he  has 
already  obtained  the  confent  of  the 
pope  for  the.  fuppreffion  of  three 
monasteries,  and  has  applied  their 
revenues  to  the  fupport  of  the  uni- 
versity, and  to  the  ufe  of  fome  of  the 
new  fchools,  which,  upon  the  plan 
of  an  improved  fyftem  of  education, 
have. been  inftituted  and  moft  libe- 
rally endowed  by  himfelf.  It  may 
likewife  be  a  matter  of  fome  curi- 
oiity  to  take  notice,  that  the  Bible, 
in  the  language  of  the  country,  is 
frequently  to  be  met  with  in  the 
hands  of  the  Roman  Catholic  inha- 
bitants of  that  electorate ;  and  that 
the  clergy  have  for  feveral  years 
permitted  it  to  be  read,  under  fome 
very  moderate  reftri&ions  with  re- 
fpe&  to  the  age  and  qualifications  of 
the  parties  applying. 

We  now  return  to  affairs  merely 
political.  The  fudden  death  of  the 
landgrave  of  HeiTe  CafTel,  which 
happened  on  the  laft  of  October 
1785,  was  not  capable  of  producing 
any  immediate  effed  on  the  public 
ftate  of  Germany;  his  eldeft  fon, 
William,  count  of  Hanau,  who  was 
then  turned  of  forty  years  of  age, 
fucceeding  of  courfe  in  his  poflef- 
fions.  The  late  landgrave  had,  dur- 
ing his  father's  life-time,  and  fo 
long  ago  as  the  year  1754,  departed 
fo  far  from  the  religious  principles 
of  his  anceftors,  as  to  enter  into  the 
Roman  Catholic  communion;  Which, 
however,  producing  no  change  in 
the  ftate  of  the  government,  nor  in 
the  ^condition  or  perfuafion  of  hfe 
fubjecls,  was  to  be  confidered  mere- 

*7 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HIST0&Y  OF   EUROPE. 


tSt 


ly  as  a  private 'tranfa&iorr.  It  is 
"well  known  that  be  had  lived  for 
many  years  upon  very  ill  terms  with 
the  princefs  Mary,  his  contort,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  England ;  and 
he  is  faid  to  have  been  much  dif* 
pofed  to  French  interefts  and  poli- 
tics, although  the  love  of  money  . 
induced  him  to  hire  his  troops  to 
England  in  the  American  war.  The 
political .  fen timents^  of  the  prefent 
landgrave  are  faid  to  be  dire&ly  the 
reverie  of  thole  held  by  his  father  j 
and  as  he  is  clofely  allied  in  blood, 
fo  he  &  faid  to  be  no  lefs  attached 
by  difpofition  to  theinterefts  of  the 
reigning  family  of  Great  Britain, 
,  The  vaft  fums  of  money  which  that 
country,  and  family  have  drawn 
from  England  through  thecourfe  of- 
the  late  war,  together  with  the 
very  large  pecuniary  legacies  which 
have  been  fince  willed  to  the  latter 
by  the  princefs  Amelia,  feem  to  af- 
ford them  the  means,  along  with 
the  military  turn  of  tjie  people,  the 
arbitrary  nature  of  the  government, 
and  their  large  hereditary  poifef- 
iions,  of  becoming  very  potent  in 
.Germany  j  and  it  may  well  be  pre- 
fumed,  will  have  no  final]  effect  in 
importing  their  claim  to  the  ninth 
electorate  $  a  bufinefs  which  lies  fo 
Jong  dormant,  through  the  claihing 
of  the  great -political  interefts  that 
divide  the  empire. 

The  fpringing  up  of  a 'new  pro- 
phet in»the  Upper  Alia  (an  inftance 
of  ambition  under  a  different  cha- 
racter) might,  at  certain  periods, 
have  been  confidered  as  the  indica- 
tion of  fome  extraordinary  'revolu- 
tion in  the  Eaflern  world.  But  the 
general  difpofition  of  things  in  the 
prefent  day  is  far  from  being  fa- 
vourable to  the  growth,  in  any  great 
degree,  of  fuch  impoftures ;  and 
even  m  thole  regions  which  feemed 


at  all  times  to  have  been  peculiarly 
adapted  by  nature  or  circumitance 
to  the  produ&ion  of  fanatical  en- 
thufiafm*  checks  and  difficulties  now* 
occur,  which  prevent  the  former 
dangerous  and  wonderful  effects 
from  taking  place. 

The  Sheich  Manfour  pretended 
that  he  was  pre-doomed  by  the  eter- 
nal and  immutable^  decrees  of  Hea- 
ven to  rill  up  the  meafure  of  divine 
revelation  to  mankind  5  that  as  he 
was  the  laft  prophet  that  ever  was, 
to  appear,  fo  he  was  to  clofe  up  and 
to  affix  the  feal  to  the  ordinances  of 
Providence  ;  that  he  was  dot  fent 
to  fubvert  the  inftitutes  and  doctrine 
of  Mahomet,  whofe  million  was- 
equally  divine  with  his  own,  but  to 
reftore  ttiern  to  their  original  pu- 
rity, with  fuch  additions  and  altera- 
tions as  the  prefent  ftate  of  things 
rendered  neceffary;  that  the  fore- 
known corruptions  of  mankind,  and 
of  the  text  and  do&rinefi  of  Maho- 
met, had  occafioned  his  being  pre- 
defined from  the  beginning  to  this 
great  and  important  office.  As  the 
reform  of  mankind  was  to  be  now 
general  and  complete,  and  that  the 
obrlinacy  of  many  infidels  was  too 
incorrigible  to  be  wrought  upon  by 
perfuaiiou,  or  even  by  miracle,  fo, 
in  imitation  of  bis  great  prototype, 
he  ailumed  theufe  of  the  fword,  as 
well  as  of  the  fpirit,  for  the.accom- 
plifhment  of  that  great  work.        x 

It  was  at  rlrft  given  out. that  it 
was  his  objecY  entirely  to  overthrow 
the  do&rine  of  MahomeT,  and  to 
ere£t  a  new  edifice  upon  its  ruins  ; 
and  that,  reprefenting  the  miflion  of 
that  prophet  as  completed,  and  his 
power  and  authority  in  the  govern- 
ment of  this  world  as  expired,  he 
had  forbidden  the  pilgrimages  to 
Mecca,  and  all  ads  of  devotion  to 
him,  as  unlawful.  But  fchefe  ac- 
[#]  a      v  county 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


$i)        ANNUAL    REGISTER,   ifjtf. 


counts  do  not  accord  with  fubfe- 
quent  well-fupported  circumfla  rices; 
and  it  feems  probable  that  he  only 
pretended  that  his  new  million  was 
intended  to  reform  the  doctrines, 
and  to  fupply  the  deficiencies  of  the 
former,  with  fuch  additions  as  the 
prefent  ftate  of  mankind  required, 
and  the  new  lights  communicated 
to  him  prefcribedj  but  at  the  fame 
time  affuming  greater  powers,  as 
the  laft  prophet,,  than  had  been 
communicated  to  the  former,  or  to 
any  other  $  for  it  is  to  be  remem- 
bered that  the  fcriptures,  efpecially 
the  old,  form  much  of  the  ground- 
work for  all  Mahometan  reformers 
and  prophets.  It  is  alfo  probable 
that  the  impoftor's  doctrines  and 
pretentions  varied  according  to  cir- s 
cumftances,  the  effect  which  he 
found  they  produced,  and  the  con- 
dition or  temper  of  his  hearers ; 
that  the  language  which  he  he}d 
with  the  Turkifh  theologians  was 
probably  very  different  from  that 
ufed  to  his  barbarous  followers ;  and 
that,  even  among  them,  great  myf- 

-  teries  were  referved  for  the  chofen 
few. 

The  wide  and  defolate  regions 
bordering  on  the  Cafpian  fea  were 
for  various  caufes,  particularly  their 
remotenefs,  the  diverlity  and  weak- 
nefs  of  their  governments,  with  the 
ignorance  and   fuperftition    of  the 

'  people,  the  beft  chofen  fcene  for 
the  new  prophet's  exhibition  that 
perhaps  the  world  in  the  prefent  day 
could  have  afforded.  He  had  ac- 
cordingly made  a  confiderable  pro- 
grefs  in  his  undertaking  before  he 
was  heard  of  at  Conftantinople,  and 
then  he  was  reprefented  as  being 
already  at  the  head  of  a  multitude 

•  of  armed  enthuliafts,  and  that  he 
intended  nothing  lefs  than  the  fub- 
veriion  of  the  eftabliflied  religion. 


In  the  prefent  convulfed  and  dit- 
ordered  ftate  of  the  empire  this 
intelligence  could  not  but  caufe 
much  alarm  to  the  Porte ;  they  were 
not  ignorant  of  the  effect  which  a 
pretended  revelation  from  heaven 
might  produce  in  cpuntries  fo  prone 
to  religious  delufion  ;  and  they 
knew  that  the  reftlefs  temper  of 
thefe  barbarous  nations  rendered 
them  at  all  times  ready  to  follow 
any  leader,  without  even  the  pre- 
tence of  religion,  who  held  out  pro- 
fpects  of  war  and  fpoil  to  them.  The 
innumerable  fects  into  which  the 
Mahometan  religion  is  fplit,  and 
the  extraordinary  opinions  held  by- 
many  of  them,  ieemed  likewife  to 
open  the  way  for  any  bold  inno- 
vator, who  pretended  to  new  lights, 
and  an  extraordinary  fanctity,  to 
accompli (h  a  dangerous  revolution. 
Orders  were  accordingly  dif- 
patched  to  the  Tnrkiili  commanders 
in  Armenia  and  the  adjoining  coun- 
tries, to  be  ftudioufly  upon  their 
guard  againft  the  .defigns  of  the  im- 
poftor  j  and  at  the  fame  time  that 
they  narrowly  watched  his  motions 
and  conduct,  and  endeavoured  to 
penetrate  into  his  real  character  and 
defigns,  toabftain  from  any  wanton 
outrage  againft  him  or  his  follow- 
ers. Turkiih  divines  and  theolo- 
gians were  likewife  coirimiilioned  to 
confer  with  him,  to  enquire  into  his 
religious  opinious,  and  particularly 
into  the  objects  of  his  pretended 
million.  The  remotenefs  of  the 
fcene,  with  the  difficulties  of  com- 
munication, and  of  obtaining  intel- 
ligence in  thefe  walte  and  wide 
countries,  whofe  limits  are  fcarcely 
known  by  their  immediate  ruiers, 
occafioned  long  anxious  expectation 
at  Conftantinople  for  the  relult  of 
thefe  enquiries.  It  however  at 
length  appeared,  that  the  prophet 

had 


^V 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


had  given  full  fatisfaction  to  the  de- 
puted divines  on  the,  fubject  of  re- 
ligion, and  the  orthodoxy  of  his 
principles  ;  ,but  what  was  of  infi- 
nitely more  importance  than  his  re- 
ligious tenets,  it  was  at  the  fame 
time  difcovered,  that  alt  the  mili- 
tary fury  of  his  zeal  was  directed 
again  ft  the  Chridiansj  they  being 
the  infidels,  whofe  converiion  being 
hopelefc,  rendered  their  extennina. . 
tion  neceflary. 

This  intelligence  was  foon  farther 
confirmed,  by  the  new  faint's  com- 
mencing, at  the  head  of  his  fol- 
lowers, a  fierce  war  a  gain  ft  the 
Georgians;  and  they  being  allied 
with  the  Ruffians,'  and  his  enmity 
being  directed  equally  agajuft  all 
Chriflians,  this  original  object  of 
alarm  foon  became  an  ufeful  inftru-  • 
ment  of  the  TWkifli  government. 
For  he  founded  the  alarm  among 
the  LefTghis,  and  all  the  other  *  na- 
tions of  Caucafean  Tartars  (who 
have  in  all  ages  been  among  the 
fiercer!,  braved,  and  moll  indepen- 
dent of  mankind)  of  the  danger  to 
which  their  religion  and  liberties 
were  expofed,  through  the  power 
and  near  approach  of  the  Ruffians  j 
and  thus  contributed  to  the  forming 
of  a  general  combination  againft 
them,  at  a  time  when  the  Porte, 
from  the  critical  d tuation  of  hen  afr 
fairs,  however  dangerous  and  fatal 
ihe  knew  their  progrefs  in  that  quar- 
ter would  be  to  her  interetts  and 
fafety,  could  not  venture  to  make 
any  direct  oppofition  to  their  de- 
ligns. 

Among  the  other  extraprdinary 
conceflions  which  the  emperor  ex- 
torted from  the  Porte,  not  as  the 
price  of  his  frienclfhip  (for  that  was 
n,ot  even  pretended)  but  merely  of 
his  prefent  quiefcence,  none  could 
be  more  lingular  in  the  conception, 


[53 

or  extravagantly  unreafonable  and 
unjuft  in  the  demand,  than  that  of 
his  requiring  payment  at  Condan- 
tinople  for  the  lories  which  his  fub- 
jects  had  fudained  from  the  piracies 
of  the  Barbary  dates,  together  with 
the  restoration  of  the  captives  ;  and 
a  peremptory  requifition  that  they 
ftiould  in  future  be  entirely  freed 
from  their  depredations.  It  was  in 
vain  (hewn  that  the  grand' fignior 
held  no  fuch  authority  at  prefent 
over  thofe  dates  as  could  in  any  de- 
gree enable  him  to  rellrain  their 
piracies,  or  even  warrant  his  mak- 
ing fuch  a  demand  upon  them?  that 
he  was  not  in  a  condition  to  com* 
pel  them  to  any  meafures  which 
were  contrary  to  their  own  intereds 
or  likings  3  but  that,  if  it  had  been 
otherwife,  it  would  be  as  contrary 
to  judice  as  to  reafon,  that,  having 
no  complaint  againd  them  himfelf, 
he  fhould  enter  into  fuch  a  war  on 
the  account  of  another;  that  the 
idea  of  his  being  anfwerable  for 
their  piracies,  and  making  good 
the  lodes  fudained  by  them,  was' fa 
extratagant  in  its  nature,  that  it 
could  fcarcely  be  fuppofed  it  was 
ferioudy  adopted. 

The  arrogance  of  power  on  the 
one  fide,  and  a  feartul  fenfe  of  it 
on  the  other,  could  not  but  produce 
humiliating  effects.  The  Barbary 
dates  have,  of  late  years,  ihaken  off 
almod  every  appearance  of  depen- 
dance  on  the  Porte,  (nor  was  that  at 
any  time  fo  perfect  as  to  redrain 
their  piracies)  and  the  Algerines 
not  long  fi  nee  refufed,  with  the 
greateft  infolence,  to  pay  a  final} 
cudomary  tribute  upon  the  accef- 
fion  of  a  new  dey.  Yet  the  grand 
fignior  found  himfelf  under  the  ne-» 
ceffity  of  filing  to  his  old  vaffals  to. 
afford  *  that  fecurity  tq  the  empe- 
ror's new  commerce  at  Triede  and 

[Q]  3  Fiume, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


54]        ANNUAL   REGIST  E'R,  r786. 


Fiumc,  (who  had  not  a  fingle  fhip 
or  frigate  of  war  for  its  protection) 
which  the  old  trading  powers  of  the 
Mediterranean,  pofieued  of  confi- 
derable  naval  force,  cannot  procure 
for  themfelves.  Jt  cannot  be  doubt- 
ed that  fome  refpeft  for  pa  ft  dig- 
nity, a  regard  to  the  general  inte- 
refts  and  fecurity  of  the  Mahometan 
religion,  with  a  confideration  of  the 
ihaken  and  critical  ftate  of  the  Ot- 
toman empire,  were  the  motives 
that  operated  with  the  piratical 
flates  of  Barbary  in  granting  a  peace 
to  the  emperor's  fttbje&s. 

We  have  before  taken  notice  of 
the  progrefs  which  arts  and  general . 
knowledge  are  making  in  Conftan- 
tinople,*and  that  the  grand  figtaior 
liad  bimfelf  ordered  the  erettion  of 
printing-prefles.  He  has  fincegone 
farther,  and  has  ordered  editions  of 
the  Ottoman  Hiftory,  and  of  feve- 
ral  ufeful  and  valuable  works,  to  be 
printed  at  bis  own  expence. 

It  was  not,  however,  to  be  ex- 
pected, that  fhe  new  experiments 
and  phyfical  difcoveries  with  refpect. 
to  air,  and  the  means  of  human 
conveyance  through  it,  mould  have 
yet  reached  that  capital,  which  had 
fo  long  been  wrapped  in  the  feem- 
ingly  impenetrable  gloom  of  indo- 
lence and  ignorance,  and  where  a 
fWpid  pride  mut  out  the  means  of 
information,  and  feemed  even  to 
feal  up  the  fources  of  curiofity.  It 
was  as  little  to  be  expected,  that 
whenever  fuch  knowledge  was  com- 
municated, or  its  effect  difplayed, 
the  artift  or  adventurer  mould  not 
have  been  a  native  of  the-  Weftero 
world. 

But,  contrary  to  all  fpecujation 
on'  that  fubjeft,  a  Perfian  pbyfician 
had  the  honour  to  be  the  tfrft  aero- 
naut, who  not  only  attempted  but, 
fuccefsfully  accomplilhed  the  pur- 


pofe  of  afcending  into  the  regions 
of  the  clouds  at  Constantinople. 
Though  this  Eaftern  phjlofopber, 
undoubtedly,  derived  his  knowledge 
from  the  riumberlefs  experiments 
made  in  France  and  England,  yet, 
confidering  the  frequent  failures 
which  occurred  in  both,  and  the 
great  expence  which  constantly  at- 
tends thefe  projects,  the  facility  with 
which  he  con ftru&ed  and  filled  with 
gas,  or  air,  a  balloon  of  great  fize, 
without  fubfeription  or  fupport  of 
any  kind,  is  not  a  little  furprizing. 
His  ingenuity  and  courage  were, 
however,  amply  rewarded  in  the 
event.  In  the  prefence  of  the  grand 
fignior  and  his  principal  officers, 
he,  accompanied  with  two  gentle- 
men of  the  court,  alcended  into  the 
air  from  the  grand  terrace,  which 
had  been  elegantly  decorated  for 
the  purpofe.  They  had  previoufly 
paid  their  refpe&s  perfonally  to  the 
fultan,  who  prefented  each  of  them 
with  a  rich  pelice,  which  they  tri- 
umphantly wore  in  the  afcent.  No- 
thing could  be  more  flattering  to 
the  aeronauts,  or  more  magnificent, 
than  the  fight  which  they  Had  to 
contemplate ;  all  the  inhabitants  of 
that  imperial  city  gazing  and  loft 
in  admiration,  and  the  forbidden 
beautiful  gardens  of  the  feraglio 
open  to  view,  and  filled  with  the 
fultanas  and  ladies  in  their  richeft 
habits.  They  paffed  over  into  Afia, 
and  came  profperoufly  to  ground  at 
about  30  leagues  diftance  from  the 
capital,  after  furveying  one  of  the 
mofl  beautiful  and  moll  delightful 
countries  in  the  univerfe.  After  a 
knowledge  of  the  terrors  which  the 
fight  of  balloons  have  imprefled  on 
the  minds  of  the  people  in  the  phi- 
lofophical  countries  of  England  and 
France,  we  may  form  fome  idea  of 
the  effect  which  this  produced  on 

the 


by  Google 


HISTORY   OF-  EUROPE. 


Iss 


the  Afiatic  fide  of  the  Hellefpont, 
at  fuch  a  di (lance  from  the  capital. 
But  the  Mahometans  were  (truck 
with^peculiarandinexpreflible  dread 
and  horror,  under  the  fuppofition 
,  that  their  prophet  was  coming  to 
take  vengeance  for  their  manifold 
offences.  In  this  terror  they  prof- 
trated  themfelves  every  where  upon 
the  earth  ;  and  it  was  with  the  ut- 
moft  difficulty  that  the  aeronauts 
could  fo  far  undeceive  a  few  of  the 
mod  fenfible  and  courageous,  as  to 
procure  afliitance  for  fecuring  the 
balloon.  The^erqnauts  were  treat- 
ed with  the  greateft  marks  of  dif- 
ti  net  ion  and  honour  upon  their  re- 
turn to  court,  and  moft  nobly  re- 
warded,* particularly  the  Perfian 
phyfician,  by  the  grand  figniorj 
who  like  wife  ordered  the  balloon  to 
be  hung  up  in  the  church  of  St. 
Sophia  as  a  perpetual  memorial  of 
fo  wonderful  an  event. 

At  the  fame  time  that  this  adven- 
ture excited  fo  much  pleafure,  anoT 
was  fo  amply  rewarded  at  Conftan- 
tinople,  fuch  is  the  difference  of 
tafte  and  opinion,  that  the  proffered 
exertions  of  one  of  the  moft  emi- 
nent aerial  yqyagers  were  rejected 
by  the  emperor  of  Germany  and 
the  Pruflian  monarch  j  and  all  at- 
tempts of  the  kind  were  abfolutely 
forbidden  by  the  emprefs  of  Ruflia 
in  anv  part  of  her  dominions.  The 
refufal  of  thefe  great  princes  was 
founded  on  the  inutility  of  the  difr 
covery,  and  the  fatal  coniequences 
to  which  thefe  voyages  were  liable, 
and  with  which  they  had  already 
been  attended.  The  great  expence 
which  they  occafioned,  and  the  lots 
of  time  and  idlenefs  which  they  ex? 
cited  among  the  people,  were  un- 
.  doubtedly,  though  not  fpecilied,  a- 
mong  the  operating  caules  of  re- 
jection with  thefe  prudent  princes. 


In  the    beginning  of  the   vear, 
1784,  an  unexpected  miuifterial  re- 
volution took  place  in    Denmark. 
It  was  not,  however,  attended  with 
any  other  confequences,  than  that 
of  a  reform  or  change  in  the  coun* 
cils  and  government  of  that  king- 
dom.   The  queen  dowager,  who  is 
a  princefs  of  the  houfe   of  Brunf- 
wick  Wolfenbuttle,    and    who  in 
common  with  her  family  is  polTeffed 
of  no  fmall  fhare  of  fpirit  and  abi- 
lity, is  almoft   neceffarily  fond    of 
power,   and  ftrohgly    addi&ed    to 
ffate  intrigue.     Her  being  a  fecond 
wife,  perhaps,  enabled  her  to  ac-* 
quire  the  greater  degree  of  influ- 
ence in  the  late  reign,  and  other 
circumftances  afforded  her  an  op- 
portunity not  only  of  retaining  but 
increafing  it  in  the  prefent.    This 
fondnefs  for  power,  and  the  jealoufy 
^attendant  on  it,  were  generally  fup- 
pofed  to  have  operated  principally  in 
producing  that  fatal  revolution,  in 
which   the  late  unfortunate  queen 
Carolina    Matilda    was    the    chief 
vlcYira,  but  in   which    two  of  the 
ruling  minifters  and  favourites  pe- 
rifhed,  under  ciroumftauces  of  fuch 
inhuman  cruelty,  as  ilruck  all  Eu- 
rope with  horror.     The  nation  has 
fince  been  funk  in  a  degrading  (late 
of  apathy,  and  feemed  almoit  en- 
tirely to  have  loft  its   rank  in  the 
eftimation  and  eouiide ration  of  the 
other  powers  of  Europe. 

That  bloody  cataftrophe  ferved  to 
eftablifli  the  power  of.  the  queen 
dowager  beyond  all  controul,  and  - 
beyond  the  probability  of  its  being 
fhaken.  She  had  hiled  the  great 
offices  of  (late  with  her  adherents 
and  favourites  5  and  the  kifant  fon 
of  the  uuhappy  Matilda  being  little 
thought  of,  and  the  probabilities 
againft  his  life  at  that  tender  age 
being  confidence,  her  fon  prince- 
ly Z>j  -4  Frederic 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


56]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,   1786. 


Frederic  (the  king's  half  brother) 
who  was  already  arrived  at  man- 
hood* was  looked  up  to  as  the  pre- 
sumptive fucceflbr  to  the  throne : 
fo  that  all  things  feeroed  to  concur 
in  fecuring  her  influence  and  au- 
thority for  life  5  as  they  feemed 
iirmly  fixed  for  the  prefent,  and 
they  could  not  be  expected  to  fuffer 
any  diminution  under  the  future  go- 
vernment of  an  only  fon,  brought 
yip  under  her  own  tuition  and  max- 
ims. 

But  time,  which,  though  the  great 
deftroyer,  is  likewife  the  great  reno- 
vator of  all  fublunary  things,  was 
preparing  to  throw  a  fudden  cloud 
over  all  thefe  bright  and  flattering 
profpefts.  The  late  infant  prince 
royal  was  approaching  fail  to  matu- 
rity, and  betides  thofe  pleafing  em- 
bellishments incident  to  the  vigour 
of  youth  and  a  good  conftitution, af- 
forded indications  of  other  qualities 
wtych,  though  highly  grateful  to 
the  people  at  large,  were  particu- 
larly flattering  to  the  hopes  of  the 
friends  and  partizans  of  his  mother  j 
and  that  defcription  including  all 
thofe  who  had  either  fuffered  them- 
felves  through  the  confequences  of 
the  late  revolution,  or  who  refented 
the  injuries  of  their  friends  who 
had,  together  with  all  fuch  who 
were  diifatisfied,  upon  whatever  ac- 
count, with  the  prefent  conduct  of 
public  affairs,  the  party  could  not 
but  be  numerous. 

Jan.  1784.    cV?on   *e    °PeninS 
'  ^   of  his   17  th  year,  the 

prince  appeared  with  fuch  uncom- 
monly early  accomplishments,  and 
difplayed  fuch  forward  and  manly 
talents  and  abilities,  that  he  be- 
came the  hope  and  darling  object 
of  the  nation.  *  We  are  not  fuffi- 
ciently  mafters  of  the.  fubjea,  to  be 
able- to  give  any  detail  of  die  pre- 


vious meafares  which  he  purfued  fof 
the  overthrow  of  the  junto,  who, 
under  the  name  of  the  cabinet,  or 
council  of  (late,  were  the  ofteniiblc 
directors  of  the  affairs  of  the  king- 
dom ;  the  event,  however,  (hewst, 
that  he  derived  every. .benefit  troro 
his  own  popularity,  and  from  the 
odium  under  which  the  ruling  pow- 
ers laboured  on  account  of  the  fate 
of  his  mother,  for  the  accompli fli- 
ment  of  his  purpofej  and  it  is  evi- 
dent that  his  roeafures  were  judi- 
cious, and  his  councils  (from  what- 
ever quarter  derived)  prudent  and 
wife.  That  darknefs  which  ever 
prevails  in  defpotic  courts  render* 
us  equally  incapable  of  deter  mining 
whether  the  king  took  a  previous, 
or  any  a&ive  fliare  in  the  bufinefs ; 
or  whether  he  only  gave  a  fan&ion 
and  confirmation  to  what  was  al- 
ready done. 

However  thefe  things  A  n  A 
were,  the  fyrft  great  r  ~ 
point  publicly  attained  by  the  prince 
was  his  being  declared  major t  and 
his  taking  his  place  at  the  head  of 
the  council-board  accordingly.  This 
was  the  immediate  prelude  to  the 
diffolutionof  the  junto,  who  feemed 
to  have  no  intimation  of  their  ap- 
proaching fate,  until  they  were  in- 
formed by  the  prince,  that  the  king 
his  father  had  no  farther  occafion 
for  their  fervices.  At  the  fame 
time  all  the  public  departments  re- 
ceived notice,  that  they  were  not 
tp  acknowledge  or  obey  any  orders 
from  the 'late  cabinet;  and  an  or- 
dinance was  immediately  publifhed, 
that  no  orders  from  the  council  of 
ftate  were  in  future  to  be  received 
or  confidered  as  valid,  which  had 
not  been  previouflv  reported  to  the 
king,  figned  by  him,  and  counter- 
figned  by  the  prince  royal.  This 
was  followed  by  the  late  minifters, 

the 


/Google 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


157 


the  connts  Rofencrantz  and  Bern- 
liorff,  being  recalled  from  their 
long  exile,  and  placed  at  the  head 
of  a  new  admiqiltration,  in  which 
only  one  of  the  late  cabinet  was  re- 
tained. At  their  firft  meeting  a 
new  plain  of  a  dm  ini  ft  ration,  iaid  to 
be  compofed  by  the  prince,  and  to 
have  already  Teceived  the  royal 
lan&ion,  was  read  by  him  in  the 
pretence  of  his  father  5  and,  being 
approved  of  by  all,  and  then  tigned 
by  the  king,  became  an  authentic 
inftrument  of  government.  The 
prince  was  immediately  appointed 
president  of  the  new  council,  which 
was  compofed  of  his  uncle  prince 
Frederic,  and  five  or  fix  of  the 
newly-appointed  great  officers  of 
Hate. 

No  revolution  of  the  fort,  under 
fuch  a  government,  affecting  a  party 
fo  long  and  fo  firmly  rooted  in 
power,  and  fupported  by  fuch  great 
interefts,  was  ever  accomplifhed 
with  greater  facility  -,  nor  has  the 
temper,  moderation,  and  wisdom, 
which  prefided  in  the  whole*  con- 
dud  of  the  bufinefc,  been  often 
equalled.  No  other  marks  of  re- 
probation or  refentment  were  expe- 
rienced by  the  members  of  the  late 
cabinet,  than  the  mere  deprivation 
of  their  power,  and  lofs  of  their 
places:  the  fraalleft  harihnefs,  or 
remembrance  of  paft  injury,  did 
not  appear  in  any  part  of  the  pro- 
ceedings. This  conduct,  will  ap- 
pear the  more  exemplary  and  wife, 
tothofe  who  recoiled  the  unequalled 
cruelties  which  ftained  the  preced- 
ing revolution,  and  who  confider 
the  bitfernefs  of  fpirit  which  their 
remembrance  could  not  ftill  but  in- 
evitably excite. 

The  fame  moderation  and  wif- 
dom  prevailed  in  every  thing.  The 
queen  dowager,  as  fome  confolation 


for  that  dtfappointment  which  her 
ambition  fuffered,  and  for  that  lo& 
of  malked  power,  which  holds  out  ' 
fuch  irretiitible  charms  to  her  fex 
and  time  of  life,  was  gratified  by 
the  princely  donation  from  the  king; 
of  the  fuperb  cattle  of  Frederick 
burgb,  in  the  duchy  of  Holltein, 
with  the  exterifive  demefnes^  eftates, 
and  royalties  appertaining  to  it; 
and,  to  render  this  free  gift  the  more  " 
pleating  and  complete,  it  was  grant- 
ed in  perpetuity,  with  full  autho- 
rity to  the  queen  to  transfer,  fell, 
or  difpofe  of  it  by  bequeft,  in 
whatever  manner  {he  might  think, 
proper.  Similar  large  potifellions,  v 
with  the  fame  unlimited  rights,  wero 
conferred  upon  prince  Frederic, 
whofe  con  dud  through  all  the  paft 
tranfadions  had  been  fo  blamelefs, 
that  even  his  being  the  in  liniment 
or  object,  of  another's  ambition 
could  not  throw  the  fmalleft  degree 
of  imputation  upon  his  cbarader. 
The  queen  dowager  retired  to  her 
cattle  in  Holitein,  and  the  .niolf. 
perfed  tranquillity  prevailed  and 
continued  throughout  the  king- 
dom. 

The  prince  royal  of  Denmark  has 
had  the  happy  fortune,  in  Head  of.di- 
minifhing  the  early  hopes  that  were 
formed  of  him,  or  lofing  any  part  of 
the  elumation  in  which  he  was  held,  ' 
to  confirm  and  increafe  both  in  a 
very  high  degree.  Betides  his  unufual 
attention  and  applicatiop  to  public 
butinefs,  he  lhews  a  moft  laudable- 
difpotition  to  letters,  and  is  become 
the  patron  of  learned  men,  and  of 
literature.  Inftead  of  wafting  his 
time  in  the  amufements  and'  fports 
incident  to  his  time  of  life  and 
condition,  he  is  already  ereding  an 
indelible  monument  to  his  fame,  by 
becoming  the  reitorer  of  the  learn- 
ing, hiftory,  and  antiquities  of  liis 
country. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


58]       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  17*6. 


country.  The  early  hiftory  of  the 
Northern  nations  has  been  buried  in, 
the  deepeft  darknefs,  which  has  like- 
wife  ferved  to  involve  that  of  a  great 
part  of  Europe  in  much  obfcurity. 
Vet  fuch  a  fhare  of  learning  as  was 
equal  to  the  prefervation,  in  fome 
form  or  degree,  of  the  traditions 
end  monuments  of  antiquity,  pre- 
vailed in  feveral  parts  of  the  North, 
which  now  retain  no  veftiges  of 
their  ever  poflfeffing  any  fuch  light  j 
and  late  difcoveries  mew,  that  it 
was  extended  even  to  remote  parts, 
of  Ruflia.  But  Iceland,  which  was 
fir  ft  the  great  and  1  aft  depofitory  of 
the  old  Runic  learning,  fables,  and 
mythology,  became  fuddenly  the 
great  luminary  of  the  North,  with 
refpect  to  the  new.  Chriftian  litera- 
ture. Iceland  fopn  funk,  under  the 
preffure  of  calamity  and  the  gloom 
of  ignorance,  into  nearly  a  forget- 
fulneis  of  its  paft  ftate  j  while  the 
labours  of  its  bards  and  fages,  with 
the  ftill  more  early  remains  of  anti- 
quity, were  buried  in  obfcurity. 

The  prince  has  mod  liberally 
applied  a  confiderable  fliare  of  his 
perfonal  income  or  revenue  to  the 
recovery  and  developement  of  this 
antient  lore.  For  this  purpofe  he 
has  employed  learned  men  and  ju- 
-  dicious  antiquaries  to  examine  the 
public  archives  and  private  depofi- 
tories  in  Denmark  and  Norway,  in- 
cluding the  royals  libraries  and  mu- 
feums,  for  every  thing  that  could 
tend  to  throw  light  upon  the  ob- 
jects which  they  had  in  view.  The 
long-forgotten  repofitories  of  Ice- 
land w^ere  fcrutinized  in  the  fame 
manner  j  and  the  remains  of  anti- 
quity, in  prole  and  verfe,  have  been 
retrieved -from  duft  and  afhes,  once 
more  to  behold  the  light.  The  re- 
fult  of  this  fearch  has  been  highly 
favourable  and  flattering  to  its  au- 


thors.   The  molt  valuable    di  fco- 
veries  are  faid  to  have  been  made  j 
and  it   is   farther  faid,  that  great 
ability,  judgnlent,  and  induftry,  are 
ufed   in    felecting,   collating,    and 
preparing  for  the  prefs,  thole  parts 
which  appear  deferving  of  publica- 
tion.   "From  fome  detached  parts  or 
fragments  of  them  which  have  al- 
ready appeared,  it  may  be  ex  peeled  . 
that  they  will  throw  no  fmall  light 
upon  the  early  hiftory  of  thefe  king- 
doms,  at  leaft    upon    that  of  the 
northern  parts  of  Great  Britain,  o€ 
Ireland,  and  of  the  numerous  iflands 
appertaining  to  Scotland.     It  is  not 
impoHible,    nor   even    improbable* 
'  considering  the    long  depredation* 
of  the  Danes  in  thefe  countries*  but 
that  fome  valuable  records  or  mo- 
numents, of  which  no  memorial  is 
exifting   at    home,  may    be  difco- 
vered  in  thefe  refearches. 

It  may  not  be  thought  improper 
to  turn  our  eyes  for  a  moment  iron* 
the   contemplation  of  political   re- 
volutions to  thofe  great  events  of 
nature  which  feem,  to  Jiave  marked 
the  prefent  time.     They  are  equally 
interefting   to   all  nations,  as  they* 
aiFecl:  the  concerns  we  hold  in  conw 
mon,  and    ftrike   the    imagination 
with  the  greateft  force,  becaufe  in 
thofe    calamities  which  we  inflict 
upon  each  other  the  power  as  well 
as  the   feeblenefs   of  man   is  dis- 
played, and  his  Sufferings  feem  al- 
leviated by  the  gratification  of  his 
vanity :    but  in  thofe   which  pro- 
ceed from  natural  caufes,  we  are 
entirely  impotent  and  paffive,  we 
bow  clown,  and  recognize  the  imbe-  . 
cility  of  our  condition. 

A  fuccellibn  of  ievere,  irregular, 
and  what  are  deemed  unnatural  fea- 
fons,  attended  with  many  violent 
ihocks  of  the  earth,  and  extraordi- 
nary commotions  in   the  heavens^ 

have, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    QF    EUROPE.  [59 


Have,  for  fome  years,  grlevoufly  af- 
flicted mankind  in  various  parts  of 
the  world,  and  in  every  quarter  of 
the  globe.  The  defolation  occa- 
sioned by  earthquakes  was  not  con- 
lined  to  Calabria  or  to  Europe.  Few 
great  portions  of  the  earth,  from 
Formoia  in  the  Eaft,  to  Santa  f  e 
and  Mexico  in  the  Weft,  have  ef- 
caped  being  injured  or  alarmed  by 
thefe  awful  concuflions  of  nature. 
In  the  fame,  manner,  tempefts,  hur- 
ricanes, tornadoes,  attended  with 
their  ufual  concomitant,  violent  ir- 
ruptions, and  fatal  inundations  of 
the  fea,  have  more  or  lefs  fwept  the 
feas,  and  defolated  the  coafts,  near- 
ly in  all  countries  and  climates : 
thofe  of  the  Eaft,  and  of  the  Weft 
Indies,  at  all  times  liable  to  their 
influence,  have  now  experienced 
their  fury  in  a  degree  before  un- 
known.. "       , 

That  other  great  fcourge  and  de- 
ftroyer  of  mankind,  the  peftilence, 
has  defolated,  with  unequalled  ma- 
lignity, thofe  countries  which,  from 
whatever  caufe,  feem  to  lie  more 
peculiarly^  within  the  fphere  of  its 
action.  From  the  Atlantic  ^orders 
of  Morocco  to  the  extremities  of, 
Egypt,  and  from  Paleftine  to  the 
•mouth  of  the  Euxine,  the  African 
and  Asiatic  coafts  of  the  Mediter- 
'  ranean,  with  thofe  of  Thrace  on  the 
>  European  fide,  the  cruelty  of  its 
ravages  has  been  more  fevere,  and 
the  deftruction  of  mankind  greater, 
than  at  any  period  within  the  reach 
of  memory,  or  perhaps  within  the 
records  of  hiftory. 

Europe  has  likewife  had  its  fhare 
of  thofe  evils,  which  no  wifdom  can 
forefee,  no  art  or  force  prevent. 
Through  a  mcceflion  of  fuch  unto* 
ward  feafons  as  we  have  mentioned  5 
from  the  lummer's  partaking  of  the 
nature  of  winter  j  from  the  winters 


being  without  example  in-  their  fe- 
verityj  from  deftructive  tempefts, 
violent  and  untimely  rains  and 
mows,  long  droughts,  and  exceflive 
heats  5  and,  to  fum  up  all,  from  an 
exccfs  and  irregularity  in  the  ufual 
operations  of-  nature,  the  labours 
and  hopes  of  the  hiiibandman  have 
been  frequently  fruitrated,  and  a 
very  great  failure  of  the  fruits  and' 
produ&s  of  the  earth  has  very  ge-  ; 
nerally  taken  place. 

To  increale  thefe  calamities,  fome  ^ 
of  the^fineft  parts  of  Germany,  Hun- 
gary, Italy,  and  France,  where  the 
fertility  of  the  foil,  or  the  height  of* 
cultivation,  feemed  in  fome  fort  to 
bfd  defiance  to  the  afperity  of  the 
feafons,  have  been  defolated  by  the 
repeated  and  untimely  inundations  . 
of  their  great  rivers  j  which,  having 
frequently  taken  place  in  the  fum- 
mer  and  autumn,  were  the  more  fa- 
tally deftructive  in  their  effect.  It 
was  upon  one  of  thefe  afflicting  oc- 
cafions,  that  the  illuftrious  prince 
Leopold  of  Brunfwick  became  a 
victim  to  his  humane  and  heroic  en- 
deavour (on  the  27  th  of  April  i?8j) 
to  fave  the  lives  of  a  diffracted  mo- 
ther's children,  who  were  enclofed, 
by  the  ftill-increafing  waters  of  the 
Oder,  and  on  the,  point  of  perifhing 
before  her  eyes.  The  prince,  partly 
perhaps  as  a  rebuke  to  the  qoward- 
linefs  •  of  the  peafants,  but  more 
through  the  generolity  of  his  na- 
ture, put  off  in  a  fmall  boat  to 
their  afliftance,  which  being  driven 
by  the  violence  of  the  current  againft 
the  ftump  of  an  overthrown  tree,  it 
was  unhappily  ftaved  and  qverfet  — 
Poland  and  Lithuania,  bowed  down* 

.  as  they  already  were  under  the* 
weight  of  their  moral  and  political 

,  evils,  were  likewife  doomed  to  bear 
their  proportion  of  thefe  phyfical 
calamities  j    nor  did   Pruffia  (now 

only 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


6o],       ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786. 


only  their  neighbour)  efcape  any 
better.  , 

It  was  eftimated  that  Germany 

alone  loft  a  million  of  fheep  by  the 

inundations,  and  by  the  confequent 

•want  of  food,  and  di (tempers  which 

they  produced  j   the  lofs  in  cattle 

vas  proportional.    The  moil  fertile 

countries  in  Europe,  and  thofe  which 

had  been  wont  to  relieve  the  necef- 

iities  of  others,  being  thus  reduced 

to  penury  by  the  failure  or  deftruc- 

tion  of  their  harvefts,  it  is  no  won- 

'"  e  frozen  and  fterile  re- 

5  North  mould*  now  ex- 

5  greatefl  diftrefs.  Their 

three  or  four  years  had/ 

beyond  all  known  ex- 

te  extremity  of  the  cold 

irtable  to  man  and  bead. 

srtile  provinces  of  Ruf- 

en   Livonia  itfelf   (the 

anaryof  the  North)  fail- 

ucing  their  accuftomed 

'his  afforded  either  caufe 

to  the  court  of  Peterf- 

it  is  fuppofed  that  polU 

on  or  jealpufy  operated 

illy)  to  withhold  the  fti- 

plies  of  corn  from  Livo- 

den,  which  ilie  was  by 

1  to  permit  the  exporta- 

r  this  means  Sweden  was 

:he  greateft  diftrefs,  and 

1  provinces  particularly 

ry  degree  of  calamity. 

ifh  iilands  would  have 

antly  fupplied  by  their 

vinces,  if  other  wants, 

?x  ten  five  than  their  own, 

nanded  immediate  fup- 

great  kingdom  of  Nor- 

>r  fome  jears  laboured 

I  every  degree  of  natu- 

ich  the   irregularity  or 

feafons    could    inflict. 

the  refources  of  fufte- 

leans  of  fupporting  life 


were  cut  off,  at  the  very  time  that 
the  extremity  of  the  cold  rendered 
a  more  than  ufual  fijpply-  neceflary 
to  its  prefervation  :  even  the  pro- 
lific northern  feas  refufed  their  tri- 
bute of  fifh,  a  fupplv  which  had 
ever  before  appeared  inexhauftible. 
Government  did  every  thing  in  its 
power  to  ailift  a  nation  which  forms 
its  principal  ftrength  j  bur  the  coun-r 
try  was  too  exten five,  and  the  de- 
mands  too  va(l,  for  any  foreign 
fupply.  The  confequen'ces  were 
dreadful :  many  thousands  periflied 
through  abfolute  famine ;  and  a 
much  greater  number  tnrough  the 
fatal  dilbrders  which  it  produces. 

But  the  heavy  portion  of  calamity 
allotted  to  the  unhappy  country  of 
Iceland,  befides  being  fingular  in 
its  nature,  feemed  in  the  amount  to 
exceed  that  of  aqy  other.  That  fe- 
queftered  iiland,  once  the  feat  of  the 
northern  mufes,  had  been  before 
defolated  by  a  dreadful  peflilence^ 
which  in  the  14th  century  fwept  alj 
the  regions  of  the  north,  but  had 
been  particularly  fatal  here.  It 
never  recovered  in  any  refpect  the 
effects  of  that  mock,  nor  in  any 
degree  its  former  ftate  of  population. 
Its  pa  floral  inhabitants,  being  in  3 
great  meafure  fecured  by  poverty 
and  diftance  from  rapine  and  op-» 
prefSqn,  and  ignorant  of  the  artifU 
cial  wants  which  alternately  fweeten 
and  embitter  human  life  in  more 
genial  climates,  were  contented  and 
happy  under  all  the  rigours  of  their 
inclement  fkies,  and  found  in  their 
flocks,  herds,  and  fi  merles,  a  com- 
penfation  for  the  fterility  of  the^r'' 
country  with  refpect  to  corn. 

'But  they  ha4  been  at  all  times 
expofed  to  a  dreadful  internal  ene-r 
my,  whofe  rage  was  as  irrefiftible^ 
as  its  operations  were  uncertain  and 
unlimited.    Mount  Hecla,  and  the 

other 


by  Google 


ttlSTOfe-Y   Ofr    EUkOiȣ. 


t*t 


other  volcanoes  which  (6  much  dif- 
tinguifh  that  ifland,  although,  per- 
haps, they  promote  the  purpofes  of 
"vegetation,   by    communicating    a 

fenial  warmth  to  its  frozen  bofom, 
ave  %at    all  times  been   the    ter- 
'  tot,   and  at  particular  periods  the 
fcourge  and  deflroyers,  of  the  inha- 
bitants. 

The  calamity,   however,   in  the 

Erefent  inftance,  was  of  a  nature 
itherto  without  example.  In  dead 
of  the  open  defolation  qommon  to 
thd  awful  eruptions  of  volcanoes, 
the  country  itfelf,  together  with  its 
1  produces,  were  now  confumed  by  a 
creeping  fubterraneous  fire.  This 
deftroyer  of  nature  in  its  fource, 
made  its  firfl  appearance  in  the 
month  of  June  1784,  intheweftern 
part  of  the  diftricl:  of  Skaptfield, 
and  on  a  mountain  called  Skaptori 
Gluver.  The  devouring  fire,  which 
confumed,  or  reduced  to  cinders, 
every  thing  in  its  way,  continued 
burning  until  the  month  of  May  in 
the  folfqwing  year,  having  in  that 
time  extended  its  devaftation  about 
twenty  leagues  in  length,  and  from 
ibur  to  five  in  breadth.  The  great 
river  Skaptage,  which  was  from 
feven  to  eight  fathoms  in  depth,  and 
fome  leagues  in  breadth,  was  en- 
tirely dried  up,  its  bed  and  channel 
prefenting  a  dreadfulyawning  chafm. 
About  a  fourth  part  of  the  confumed 
foil  confifted  of  a  lava  of  great  anti- 
quity, and  of  moffy  bogs  or  mar  flies ; 
the  remains  of  the  burnt  earth 
refembled  vaft  heaps  of  calcined 
itones,  and  were  of  the  colour  of 
vitriol. 

A  fimilar  fire  broke  out  about  the 
fame  time  on  the  eaftern  HAe  of  the 
fame  range  of  mountains,  and  pur- 
sued its  courfe  in  the  oppofite  di- 
rection. This  made  its  firft  appear^ 
ance  in  a  place  which  feemed-  the 


lean1  capable  df  any  of  exhibiting 
fuch  a  phenomenon ;  it  broke  out  in 
the  very  channel  of  anoUJer  great 
river  called  the  Herervifiodt,  which 
was  nearly  of  the' fame  depth  with 
the  Skaptage,  but,  in  that  part,  *not 
above  a  league,  in  breadth.  The 
contention  between  the  two  ele- 
ments* however  violent,  did  not 
continue  long,  the  waters  being 
foon  lofl  in  the  fuperior  magnitude 
and  force  of  the  outrageous  flames* 
This  fire  was  far  more  dreadful  than 
that  on  the  weflern  fide,  the  flames 
foon  after  their  fir  (I  appearance  form- 
ing an  area  of  about  ten  leagues  in 
extent.  At  firft  they  darted  per- 
pendicularly upwards,  and'feemed 
to  proceed  from  the  lower  regions  of 
the  earth,  but  afterwards  they  rolled 
along  the  furface,  in  waves  refem- 
bling  thofe  of  the  fea ;  and  when  they 
reached  the  frozen  mountains,  whofe 
bowels  were  impregnated  with  im- 
menfe  quantities  of  fulphur  and  ni- 
tre, thefe  powerful  materials  endued 
them  with  fuch  activity,  that  no- 
thing could  efcape  any  more  than 
withiland  their  fury,  Ca.ttle,  men,, 
houfes,  villages,  every  thing  living 
and  dead  was  confumed  in  a  mo- 
ment, We  are  not  furniihed  with 
any  precife  account,  either  of  the 
extent  of  this  ravage,  or  of  the  time 
of  its  continuance  -,  it  being  Only 
given  in  general  terms,  that  feven- 
teen  diflric^s  had  been  entirely  ruin- 
ed j.  but  whether  this  proceeded 
from  the  Immediate  action;  or  whe- 
ther it  includes  the  confemient  ef- 
fects of  the  conflagration,  is  left 
unspecified. 

The  former  was,  however,  hap-, 
plly  limited  in  its  progrefsj  but  its 
pernicious  effects  were  widely  dif- 
fuled,  and  afflicted  in  di{ferent  de- 
grees the  greater  part,  if  not  the 
whole,  of  that  very  extenfive  iiland. 
f  For 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


6z]        ANNUAL    REGISTER, .1786. 

tor  that  country  abounding  with 
fulphur  beyond  any  other  perhaps  in 
the  known  world,  and  tl\e  earth 
bring  likewife  impregnated  with 
various  other  minerals  in  a  prodi- 
gious degree,  the  exhalations  caufed 
%y  thefe  vehement  conflagrations  • 
were  in  the  highefl  degree  noxious  to 
every  thing  poflefling  animal  or  ve- 
getable life.  Nor  was  this  all : — but 
the  allies  and  cinders,  being  conveyed 
to  prodigious  diftances  by  the  winds, 
and  being  little  lefs  noxious  than  the 
vapours,  defkoyed  or  contaminated 
the  herbage  wherever  they  felt. 
And  the  country  producing  out  lit- 
tle corn,  but  affording  a  profufion 
of  herbage,  the  people  in  the  inland 
parts  depended  alrdoft  entirely  upon 
the  produce  of  their  numerous  flocks 
and  herds  for  fuftenance.  But  this 
refource  was  now  almofl  entirely  cut 
off,  forfuchof  the  cattle  as  efcaped 
being  poifoned  or  ftarved  during 
the  fummer,  either  periftied  through 
.  the  want  of  hay  in  the  ehfuing  long 
winter,  or  died  of  the  contagious 
diftempers  caufed  by  noxious  aliment 
and  effluvia.  Qn  the  other  hand, 
fiih,  whether  frefh  or  dry,  formed  a 
principal  part  of  the  food  of  the 
people  near  the  coafts,  befides  a  large 
jfupply  for  the  inland  parts,  andfufc 
ficient  to  barter  for  corn  and  other 
foreign  neceflaries.  But  as  misfor* 
tunes  feldom  come  fingle>  the  fifh- 
eries  failed  of  their  bounty  in  a  de- 
gree never  before  known ;  and  the 
length  and  feverity  of  the  enfuing 
winter  was  unexampled  even  under 
their  polar  Ikies, 

It  was  eftimated  that  five-fixths  of 
the  cattle,  and  three- fourths  of  the 
lheep,  in  the  whole  ifland  periflied  5 
and,  as  many  parts  were  out  of  the 
reach  of  the  conflagrations,  or  of 


their  apparent  effe&s,  it  may  from 
thence  be  judged  how  complete  the 
deftru&ion  was  within  their  imme- 
diate influence.  The  people  adja- 
cent to  the  trading  towns  on  the 
coafts  were  relieved  in  fome  degree 
from  the  preffure  of  the  general  ca- 
lamity, through  the  bounty  which 
Denmark  could  ill  afford  to  beftow, 
under  the  great  and  general  peBury 
which  prevailed  at  home,  and  the 
famine  which  at  the  fame  time  was 
raging  in  Norway.  But  thofe  irr 
the  interior  parts  were  cut  off  from 
all  help,  for  their  horfes  having  pe- 
riflied, they  were  deprived  of  the 
means  of  drawing  fupplies  from  the 
coafts,  if  they  had  even  poflefled 
thofe  of  purchaflng  them.  Thus 
their  condition  was  deplorable  in 
the  extreme.  Befides  the  loffes  oc- 
casioned by  famine  and  diftempers, 
great  numbers  have  frnce  abandoned 
thofe  houfes  and  farms  which  their 
ariceftors  had  poflefled  from  time  im- 
memorial, through  the  impoffibility 
of  replacing  their  flocks  of  cattle* 
It  would  feem  that  this  ftroke  would 
in  a  great  meafure  prove  conclufive 
with  refpeel:  to  the  future  deftiny  of 
this  very  unfortunate  ifland  5  at  leaft 
fo  far  as  relates  to  its  interior  cul- 
ture and  habitation.  It  had  in  no 
degree  recovered  the  deftru&ion  of 
the  14th  century*  Before  that  fatal 
period,  it  is  faid  to  have  been  very 
populous,  and  was  held  in  no  fmall 
eftimation  by  the  nations  of  the 
North  on  account  of  its  learning. 
The  people  are  likewife  faid  to  have 
poflefled  at  that  time  a  portion  of 
happinefs  beyond  what  could  have 
been  expected  from  their  climate 
and  Situation ;  but  to  which  the  in- 
nocency  of  their  paftoral  lives  feem- 
ed  to  afford  no  fmall  claim* 


CHAP. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY   OF   EUROPE,  [6j, 

CHAP/1V. 

Wither  the  danger  of foreign  voar,  nor  the  refignation  of  the  duke  of Brunfwici,  ferve 
in  any  degree  to  allay  the  ferment  in  Holland \  or  to  reftore  tranquillity  to  the  Stadt. 
holder's  government.  Great  point  gained  by  the  adverfe  party,  in  procuring  m 
French  General  to  command  the  armies  of  the  Republic.  Some  account  of  the  Mar* 
Jhal  de  Maillebois.  Short  vievj  of  the  origin  and  biftory  of  that  celebrated  repub- 
lican farty^  vobicb  basfubjified  in  Holland  from  the  days  of  Prince  Maurice  to  the* 
frefent  time.  Motives  on  both  fides  for  the  elofe  connexion  which  generally  juhfifted 
hettoeen  that  party  and  France.  Late  noar  nvitb  England,  and  its  confequeneest 
afforded  the  means  for  tbat.  party  to  become  again  formidable.  General  charges 
againft  the  Stadtholder  with  refteft  to  the  conducJ  of  tbat  war,  and  the  anfwers 
made  to  them.  Repeatedly  challenges  them  to  the  proof.  Their  views  anfwered 
hy  fupporting  and  fpreading  the  clamour  and  jealoufy.  Specific  enquiry  into  the 
eonducl  of  the  navy,  after  a  long  and  tedious  courfe  of  proceeding,  produces .  nothing, 
equal  to    the  public  expeclation.      Various  caufes  vahicb  concurred  at  this  time' 

\to  raife  the  republican  fpi tit  to  the  bigbeft  pitch  in  tbat  country.  Injudicious 
meafure  of  placing  arms  in  the  bands  of  tb$  burghers,  produces  effecls  little  exped- 
ed  or  vjijbed  by  the  leaders  of  the  party,  and  caufes  great  innovations  in  the  govern- 
ment of  many  towns.  Peculiar  advantages  poffeffei  by  the  adverfe  party  over 
tbofe  on  the  Orange  fide.     Great  legal,  official,  and  nattiral  powers,  and  tefourcett 

jfoffeffed  by  the  Prince  Stadtholder*  Violent  meafure  of  depofing  the  Prince  front  the 
government  of  the  Hague.  Prince  and  family  abandon  the  Hague.  IneffecJual 
interpofition  of  tbelate  Kingof  Pruffia.    Judicious  meafure  of  the  Prince  Stadtholder 

4  in  retiring  to  Guelderland.  Affemblage  of  the  States  of  Holland  and  Weft  Frieze* 
lank  at  the  Hague.  Riot  on  opening  the  Stadtholder* s  gate.  Violent  dijfenfione 
and  great  preparations  fondefence  or  vjarx  in  the  city  of  Utrecht.'  Large  fubferip- 
tions  for  fupporting  the  armed  burghers  and  volunteers.  Republic  convulfed  in  all 
its  parts.  Great  debates  in  the  Affembly  of  the  States  of  Holland  and  Weft  Frieze* 
land,  on  the  queftionfor  reftoring  the  Stadtholder  to  the  government  of  the. Hague* 
$>ueftion  loft  by  a  Jingle  vote.  Spirited  letter,  immediately  upon  his  accejjion,  from 
the  prefent  King  of  Pruffia  in  behalf  of  the  Stadtholder,  conveyed  by  bis  minifter  of 

-State,  the  Barort  de  Goerts.  Little  effeel  produced  by  the  King's  repreftntations. 
Memorial  from  the  fyurt  of  Verfailles,  not  only  difclaiming  all  interference  berfelf 
in  the  government  of  the  republic,  but  declaring  her  intention  to  prevent  their  being 
difiurbed  by  that  of  others.  Refractory  burghers  ofElbourgand  Hattem  reduced  by 
the  Stadtholder,  under  the  orders  of  the  States  of  Guelderland.  Violent  ferment  an  y 
the  taking  of  tbefe  towns.     States  of  Holland  fujpend  the  Stadtholder  from  all  the 

funclions  appertaining  to  bis  office  of  Captain  General  within  their  province ;.  and 

difebarge  the  troops  from  their  military  oath  to  obey  bis  orders. 


TK» 


Digitized  by  VjODQIC 


«4]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


THE  fpirit  raifed  in  Holland 
againft  the  houfe  of  Orange 
by  the  French  or  republican  party, 
■which  in  this  refpect  were  the  fame, 
•was  too  violent  to  be  laid  by  con- 
ceflion.  The  refignation  of  the  duke 
Lewis  of  Brunfwick,  and  his  total 
dereliction  of  the  country,  inftead 
of  contributing,  as  was  hoped,  to 
ajlay  the  ferment,  by  removing 
the  fuppofed  object  of  uneafinefs 
and  jealoufy,  produced  effects  di- 
rectly contrary.  This  intended 
tneafure  of  conciliation,  being  con- 
fidered  merely  as  the  effedt  of  irre- 
fplution  and  weaknefe,  was  regard- 
ed and  treated  accordingly.  It  ferv- 
ed  to  fink  the  political  character  of 
the  ftadtholder  ft  ill  lower  in  the  es- 
timation of  the  republican  party  5 
and  as  it  rendered  them  more  fen- 
iible  of  their  power,  to  extend  their 
views,  and  make  them  more  ardent 
ancl  cpnlident  in  the  profecution  of 
their  defigns ;  while  that  prince, 
being  left  expofed,  without  any  in- 
tervening medium,  to  the  ftorm, 
became  per fon ally  fubject  to  their 
obloquy  and  invective,  and  the  im- 
mediate object  of  all  their  attacks. 

The  fucceeding  imminent  danger 
from  without  to  which  the  ftate  was 
expofed  by  the  conteft  with  the  em- 
peror, it  was  well  to  be  prefumed 
would  in  this  inftance  (as  foreign 
danger  generally  does  in  fimilar 
cafes)  have  proved  the  means  of 
healing  internal  diflenfion,  and  of 
reftoring  the  executive  power  to  its 
due- ill  a  re  of  weight  and  confidera- 
tion.  In  defiance  of  all  fpeculation 
and  experience,  this  circumftance, 
through  fome  peculiar  infelicity, 
produced  effects  the  direct  reverie 
of  thofe  which  were  to  be  expected. 
The  immediate  danger,  indeed, 
produced  fome  temporary  ceuatioa 


of  the  violence  againft  the  ftadt- 
holder ;  but  its  con  Sequences  were 
exceedingly  detrimental  to  his  in-  « 
terefts,  and  ferved  no  lefs  to  exalt 
and  to  ftrengthen  his  adversaries 
both  in  power  and  in  number.  For 
the  terrors  of  a  moft  perilous  inva- 
sion fucceoding  clofely  upon  the 
lofs  of  the  duke  of  Brunfwick's  mi- 
litary experience  and  ability,  the 
immediate  prefervation  of  the  coun- 
try feemed  to  depend  upon  the  pro- 
curing of  a  commander  well  verfed. 
in  war,  to  fupply  his  place.  This  cir- 
cumftance threw  the  game  entirely 
into  the  hands  of  the  adverfe  fac- 
tion, and  procured  them  an  oppor- 
tunity which  of  all  others  they  moft 
wilhed,  and  had  leaft  expected,  that 
of  placing  the  military  force  of  the 
republic  in  the  hands  of  a  French 
general. 

The  military  abilities  of  the  mar- 
fhal  de  Maillebois,  who. was  ap- 
pointed to  this  important  command, 
were  too  well  known  to  admit  of 
any  objection  againft  him  on  that 
account  -}  arid  that  peculiar  fpirit  of 
intrigue,  and  turbulence  of  difpofi- 
tion,  which  had  drawn  fo  long  a 
courfe  of  degradation  and  fuftering 
upon  him  through  a  great  part  of 
his  life,  were  probably  not  confi- 
dered  as  detracting  from  his  eligi- 
bility for  this  fervice.  His  often- 
lible  command,  being  fubordinate  to 
that  of  the  ftadtholder  as  captain 
general,  and  only  fupplying  the 
place  of  the  duke  of  Brunfwick, 
feemed  to  attbrd  no  room  for  unea- 
finefs  or  jealoufy;  but  the  party 
who  brought  him  in,  conlidered 
themfelves  as  having  far  advanced 
by  this  meafure  towards  attaining 
the  fummit  of  their  wilhes.  "What- 
ever the  fortune  of  the  war  might 
be,  they  were  well  aware  that  they 

hail 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


History  of  europe. 


had  obtained  a  general,  Who  from 
his  natural  character,  National  po- 
licy, arid  other  concurrent  circunv- 
llances,  would  not  fail  to  go  all  the 
lengths  they  could  wiffi  with  them 
upon  the  return  of  peace  $  and  they 
Would  deem  it  their  own  feult,  if 
they  did  not  fortify  his  power  fb 
ftrongly  in  the  array,  as  to  render 
him  by  degrees  independent  of  the 
captain  general.  x 

The  conclufion  of  the  cbnteit  with 
the  emperor,  and  the  eircumftances 
"With  which  it  was  accompanied,  were 
flill  more  favourable  to  the  views  of 
that  party  than  its  commencement 
or  progrefs.  The  diftinguifhed  part 
which  the  court  of  Verfailles  had 
taken  in  procuring,  if  not  forcing 
that  accommodation,  was  fo  fignai 
an  obligation  and  fervice,  the  value 
being  eftimated  by  the  gfeatnefs  of 
the  apprejienfion,  as  well  as  of  the 
danger  which  it  removed,  that  no 
limits  could  be  prescribed  to  the 
gratitude  which  it  excited  in  all  or- 
ders, parties  and  degrees  of  the 
people*  This  of  cour(c  threw  into 
the  hands  of  France  (independent 
of  the  vaft  influence  which  fhe  de- 
rived from  the  late  war)  nearly  an 
unbounded  fway,  not  only  in  the 
colle&ive  councils  of  the  ftate,  but 
in  its  numberlefs  component  parts, 
where  every  province  was  an  inde- 
pendent fovereign,  and  every  city  a 
diftincl  republic. 

Much,  however,  would  have  been 
ftill  wanting  to  confirm  the  ftrength, 
and  to  complete  the  views  of  the  re- 
publican party,  if  it  had  not  been 
for  that  lingular  treaty  of  alliance 
between  Holland  and  France,  which 
accompanied,  or  feeroed  rather  to 
grow  out  of  the  eonteft  with  the 
emperor.  Tnat  alliance,  which 
feemed  rather  founded  upon  the 
principle  of  confolidating  two  na- 

Vol.  XpLVIII. 


£«* 


tions  into  one,  under  the  fame  com- 
mon Sovereign,  than'  upon  ideas  of 
parity,  mutual  convenience  and  fe- 
curity,  between  independent  ftates> 
endued  France  with  fuch  power*, 
and  afforded  her  fuch  rights  or  pre- 
tences for  intermeddling  in  the  in- 
ternal as  well -as  external!  affairs  of 
the  republic,  that  the  moft  incon- 
fiderable  party  muft  have  become 
dominant  under  her  countenance  f 
while  the  ftadtholder,  without  any 
direct  invafion  of  his  rights,  muft 
have  dwindled  into  a  cypher,  and 
the  leffer  country,  in  the  ufuai 
courfe  of  things,  muft,  without  fome 
extraordinary  interruption,  have  gra- 
dually become,  either  a&ually  or  vir- 
tually, a  province  to  the  greater. 

It  may  be  neceffary  here  to  p*e* 
mife,  fomewhat  more  fully  than  we 
have  heretofore  done,  what  the  cau-*' 
fes  were  of  that  coincidence  of  views 
which  fubfifted  between  France  and 
the  antiftadtholderian  faction  in  Hol- 
land. 

For  this  purpofe  it  will  be  fum"- 
cient  barely  to  obferve,  upon  a  fub- 
je&  generally  known,  that  William 
the  firft  of  Orange,  with  the  princes 
his  brothers,  had  laid  and  cement- 
ed with  their  blood  the  foundations 
of  that  republic.  The  cruel  and 
treacherous  affaflination  of  the  for- 
mer happened  juft  at  the  time  when 
the  ftates  of  the  country  were  upon 
the  point  of  eftablifhing  in  bis  per- 
fon,  and  rendering  hereditary  in  his 
family,  fuch  a  limited  fovereign ty, 
as  had  been  held  by  their  ancient 
counts,  and  was  afterwards  transfer- 
red by  marriage  to  the  princes  of  the 
houfe  of  Burgundy.  The  nonage  of 
his  fon,  and  fuCceflbr  in  the  ftadt* 
holderfhip,  the  celebrated  prince 
Maurice,  prevented  his  being  able  to 
profit  of  the  decafion  while  it  lafted  j 
and  it  could  never  be  recovered.  It  is 

[£]  well 


-Digitized  by  Vj(     35^ 


$C]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

wc\\  known  that  in  the  long  and  ar- 
duous wa;*  which  involved  the  great- 
cfi  part  of  his  life,  and  in  which  he 
became  the  firft  captain  of  the  age', 
be  not  only* eftablifhed  the  indepen- 
4ence  of  the  republic,  but  carried 
iu  power  and  fplendour  to  a  height 
which  aftoniihed  all  the  world. 

It  was  natural  that  Maurice  and 
his  fucceffors^  fhould  look  back  with 
regret  to  that  fovereignty,  which 
had  been  fo  nearly  obtained,  and  fo 
unfortunately  miffed  in  the  firft  in- 
ftance$  and  that  they  fhould  en- 
deavour1 to  enlarge  their  official 
powers  as  ftadtholders  to  the  utmoft 
extent/  Nor  was  it  lefs  natural 
that  the  potent  citizens,  who  had 
grown  up,  along  with  the  fortune 
«f.  the  republic,  to  great  power  and 
immenle  wealth,  fhould  not  only 
oppofe  their  defigns,  but  that  they 
fhould  endeavour  by  all  means  to 
circumfcribe  a  power,  which  they 
confidered  as  becoming  dangerous 
to  public  liberty,  and  inimical  to 
the  principles  of  the  conltitution. 
The  bitternels  of  fuch  a  contcft  foon 
effaced  all  memory  of  the  fervices 
which  the  ftate  had  received  from 
the  Orange  tamily,  in  the  minds  of 
thofe  who  had  been  deeply  engaged 
in  the  oppofition,  or  who  had  fuf- 
fered  from  the  part  which  they  had 
taken.  Great  generals  feemed  no 
longer  neceffary  in  a  fcafon  of  peace 
and  profperity,.nor  did  it  follow,  be- 
caufe  it  had  hitherto  fo  proved,  that 
every  prince  was  to  be  a  great  ge- 
neral. The  party  accordingly  •  ex- 
tended their  views  to  the  total  abo- 
lition of.  the  office  of  ftadtholder, 
and  to  a  diftribution  of  its  various 
powers  amongft  their  own  leaders. 

Such  was  the  origin  and  founda- 
tion of  that  i  celebrated  republican 
party,  which  holds  fo  fplendid  a 
ihare   in   the .  hiftory  of  Holland ; 


which  has  produced  men  of  the  firfl 
eminence  for  patriotifm  and  ability; 
and  which,  under  various  denomi- 
nations, has  fubfifted,  from  the  days 
of  prince  Maurice  and  Baraareldt 
to  the  prefent  time. ' 

It  has  been  the  conftant  and  the 
obvious  policy  .of  France,  to  main- 
tain her  influence  in  the  councils  of 
Holland,  and,  at  the  fame  time,  to 
reftrain  or  weaken  as  much  as  pof- 
fible  the  power  and  political  acti- 
vity of  the  republic.  The  princei 
of  the  houfe  of  Orange  were  gene- 
rally inimical  to  the  views  of  France, 
and  linked  by  blood  and  alliance 
with  powers  who  a&ed  upon  prin- 
ciples diametrically  oppofite  to  her 
politics.  This  ftate  of  things  occa- 
fioned  a  ftanding  enmity  on  her  fide 
againft  the  houfe  of  Orange  j  and 
their  views  entirely  coinciding  in 
that  refpe&,  naturally  produced  an 
intimate  connexion  between  her  and 
the  republican  party. 

This  policy  was  accordingly  fiea- 
dily  purfued,  and  her  intereft  with 
that  powerful  party  diligently  culti- 
vated by  France,  excepting  only  in 
that  iingle  iiiftance,  when  the  pride 
and  vanity  of  Louis  XIV,  co-ope- 
rating with  his  immenle  power,  led 
him  to  difdain/all  motives  of  pru- 
dence, and  all  bonds  of  political 
amity,  and  impelled  him  to  the 
wanton  attack  which  he  made  upon 
the  united  provinces  in  the  year 
1672.  The  party  of  which  we 
treat,  under  the  aufpices  of  the  ce- 
lebrated DeWitt,  was  then  in  the 
zenith  of  its  power,  having  fuc- 
ceeded  in  totally  abolifjiing  the 
ftadtholderate,  and  having  for  fe- 
deral years  conducted  the  affairs  of 
the  republic  with  uncommon  abili- 
ties, fplendour,  and  fuccefs :  but 
that  unexpe&ecl  and  violent  irrup- 
tion occasioned  its  total  degradation 
4  au4 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


[61 


rfhd  ruin.  The  ftadtholderate  was 
reftored j  and  tliat  great  ftatefman 
and  patriot  De  Witt,  (whofe  only 
fault  was  his  placing  too  much  con- 
fidence in  the  faith  of  France)  to- 
gether with  his  brother,  fcarcely 
lefs  eminent,  became  miferable  fa- 
cri frees, to  the  fury  of  a  cruel  rab- 
ble. , 

The  ftadtholderate  became  ex- 
tinct by  the  death  of  William  the 
Third  of  England,  the  dates  not 
thinking  proper  to  renew  it  in  fa- 
vour of  that  part  of  his  family  who 
had  fucceeded  to.  the  title  of  Orange, 
as  well  as  to  the  principal  part  of  his 
inheritance.  Another  French  war, 
and  another  invafion,  produced  a 
fecond  revolution  in  the  government 
of  the  republic.  In  the  year  1748, 
€he  office  was  renewed  in  its  full 
plenitude  of  power,  in  favour  of 
the  late  Prince  of  Orange,  father 
pf  the  prefent,  with  the  great  addi- 
tional fecurity  of  being  rendered 
hereditary,  not  only  in  the  male, 
but  the  female  lines  of  his  family. 

It  would  feem  that  as  this  fettle- 
ment  went  to  cut  off  entirely  the 
views  of  the  adverfe  party,  £0  it 
could  no  longer  have  any  ground  of 
exigence,  or  at leaft,  that  if  it  was 
at  all  held  up,  it  could  have  no 
other  objects,  than  thofe  of  watching 
with  a  fufpicious  and  jealous  eye  the 
conduct  of  future  ftadtholders,  of  be- 
ing in  conftant  readinefs  to  reiift  any 
extension  of  their  power,  or  to  coun- 
teract any  meafures  which  might 
appear  capable  in  their  cpnfequences 
of  becoming  dangerous  to  public 
liberty. 

Such  was  probably  for  many  years 
the  ftate  of  this  party.  But  though 
depreffed,  or  at  leaft  withheld  from 
any  means  of  political  exertion, 
they  were  ftill  potent  and  numerous, 
and  only  waited  for  ibmc  favour- 


able opportunity  which  fhould  ope-* 
rate  as  a  ftgnal  for  union  and  exer- 
tion. In  the  mean  time,  France  had 
long  feen  and  lamented  the  mifer- 
able policy  of  Louis  XIV.  and 
even  •  in  their  moft  deprefled  and 
hopelefs  ftate,  had  omitted  no  pains 
to  renew  her  connections  and  reco- 
ver her  intereft  with  the  leaders  of 
the  party.  A  long  minority,  and 
a  fucceeding  adminiftration  of  af- 
fairs, which,  if  not  abfolutely  weak, 
was  not  much  diftinguiihed  by  vi- 
gour, nor  much  bleft  with  popula- 
rity, could  not  but  prove  favour- 
able, either  to  the  nuriing  of  a  new, 
or  the  renovating  of  an  old  •  party  j 
and  this  accordingly  began  to  lift 
up  its  head,  and  to  become  confpi* 
cuous  and  troublefome. 

It  would,  however,  have  been  ftill 
but  little  confidered,  if  the  late  un- 
fortunate war  with  England,  and  its 
ruinous  confequences,  having  fhaken 
the  republic  to  its  foundations,  and 
occafioned  a  departure  from  many  of 
its  ancient  maxims  and  principles, 
had  not  like  wife  made  way  for  the 
•growth  of  thisparty,  and  called  all 
its  powers  into  action.  The  ftadt- 
holder's  known  averfenefs  to  any 
political  connection  withr  France, 
and  above  all  to  the  entering  into 
any  treaty  with,  or  affording  any 
fupport  to  the  American  colonies, 
which  were  then  in  a  ftate  of  open 
rebellion  againft  the  mother  coun- 
try, together  with  his  near  relation 
in  blood  to  the  Britifh  lbvereign, 
and  fuppofed  ftrong  predilection  for 
his  interefts,  ferved  all  together, 
even  from  the  beginning,  to  afford 
ample  room  for  lufpicion,  that  he 
could  not  engage  very  heartily  in 
a  caufe  which  went  fo  directly  againft 
opinions  in  which  he  had  been  nur- 
tured. 

Such  fufpicious -would  have  eaiily 
fis]  3  died 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


68]         ANNUAL   REGISTER,  17*6. 


died  away,  and  been  foon  forgotten, 
had  the  war  been  attended  with  fuc- 
cefs.  But  when  it  produced  nothing 
but  the  moft  disgraceful  and  ruinous 
confequences,  and  the  republic 
<  fecmed  irrecoverafary  funk  in  point 
of  eftknation  and  chara&er,  it  was 
bo  difficult  tranntion  in  the  temper 
mcklent  to  fo  grievous  a  6tnatron, 
to  convert  fufpicion  into  oenfure, 
and  jealoufy  into  charge  and  aceu- 
iation.  The  faction  adverfe  to  the 
ftadthbkter,  led  by  Van  Berkel,  the 
pen nonary  of  Holland,  had  beeu 
themfelves  the  abettors  of  that  war 
which,  whether  it  was  brought  on  by 
the  unreafonable  expectations  of 
the  one,  or.  the  infidelity  of  the 
ether,  was  equally  inconfiftent  with 
the  true  policy  of  both  nations.  By 
a  fort  of  lingular  fortune,  the  hea- 
-vieft  ftrokes  of  the  war  fell  princi- 
pally upon  the  republicans.  The 
rich  merchants  of  Amiterdam,  Rot- 
terdam, and  other  great  towns  of 
Holland,  who  might  be  corxndered 
9B  the  finews  of  that  party,  having 
fuftarned  the  deepeft  lores  by  the 
capture  of  St.  Euitatia,  with  the' 
ether  fevere  blows,,  as  well  on  the 
feas  as  in  both  the  Indies,  which  the 
republic  had  received  during  that 
ill-fought  and  unfortunate  conflict. 

it  is  common  with  thofe  who  are 
fcverely  fmarting  under  adverfity, 
by  calling  the  blame  of  particular 
evils  upon  others,  to  endeavour  to 
divert  their  minds  from  an  exami- 
nation and  a  pbffible  condemnation 
of  the  general  line  of  their  own  con- 
due*.  It  was  like  wife  no  frnall  con* 
ibfotiorj,  that  thel'e  circumstances 
.  of  public  and  private  misfortune^ 
might  be  coriyerted  into  an  engine 
of  oifence  againft  their  political  ad- 
versary; with  the  farther,  but  in- 
viting hope,  that  by  proper  ma- 
nagement they  might  afford 'the. 


means  of  his  degradation  from  of- 
fice and  power. .  Upon  thefe  prin- 
ciples, and  perhaps  upon  opinion, 
however  founded,  the  accidents  of 
the  war  were  attributed  to  the  prince 
ftadtholder,  whofc  foreign  connec- 
tions, it  was  lield  out,  had  warped 
him  to  intcrefts  and  principles  dif- 
ttn6k  from,  and  even  adverfe  to* 
thofe  of  the  republic.  Many  others, 
who  iwd  been  fuflerefs  by  the  war, 
as  well  as  the  members  of  the  ad- 
verfe parry,  glad  to  find  fome  ob- 
ject on  which  to  vent  their  difeoo* 
tents,  adopted  and  promulgated  the 
feme  opinion.  It  was  befides  a  kind 
of  refoorce  to  national  vanity,  and 
particularly  to  thofe  who  felt  moft 
for  the  reputation  and  honour  of 
their  country,  to  attribute  her  dii- 
graces  rather  to  perfonal  mifcon- 
du&  than  to  perhaps  the  real  cau- 
fes  which,  waving  the  impolicy  of 
the  late  war,  were  to  be  found  in> 
the  declennon  and  weaknefs,  into* 
which  a  long  courfe  of  indolence 
and  negligence  had  relaxed  the 
bleinugs  of  fecurity  and  peace,  in 
that  felfifli  and  dittorted  policy  a 
nation  eafily  contracts  when  ha 
views  are  no  longer  carried  beyond 
kfelf,  when  great  interefts  ceafe  to 
be  agitated,  and  great  occafjon* 
ceafe  to  call  forth  great  men.  This 
date  of  things,  as  it  made  a  fort  of 
excufe  for  ill  fuceefs,  was  no  farther 
allowed  by  the  republican  party, 
than  as  they  could  impute  it  to  the 
introduction  of  a  monarchical  print 
ciple  into  a  frnall  commercial  mite* 
which,  being  narrow  in  its  extent^  . 
and  poor  in  natural  refources,  could, 
as  they  aflerted,  flouriih  only  when 
the  fpirit  of  liberty  gave  the  fulleft 
operation  to  induiiry  and  genius. 
That  great  countries  had  beeu  often 
known  to  profper  under  a  monar- 
chical ibrm  of    gowrnment,    but 

that 


Digitized  by  VjOO( 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


lh 


that  in  (mall  ftates,  the  dominion 
of  one  was  always  the  forerunner  of 
imbecility  and  weaknefa. 

Men  who  a&  together  upon  any 
public  principle,  or  join  in  any 
common  opinion,  are  apt  to  coalefce 
in  otter  matters.  Tbofe  who  cre- 
dited thefe  reports  fo  injurious  to 
the  ftadtholder  became  profelytes 
-  to  the  party  adverfe  to  his  power. 
The  obloquy,  which  was  firft  difle- 
jninated  with  fome  ^degree  of  cau- 
tion, as  it  became  more  general  was 
more  publicly  fpokenj  and  as  the  cla~ 
jnour,  increased,  fo  did  the  converts. 

As  the  charges  brought  againft 
the  ftadtholder  were  moftly  general, 
they  could  only  admit  of  ^general 
anfwers.  It  was  faidi  that  he  had 
not  exerted  the  force  with  which  he 
was  entrufted  by  the  (late  in  that 
pnanser,  or  with  that  energy,  whichr 
might  have  been  dene,  and  which 
weald  have  been  mod  effectual  fey 
counteracting  the  defigns,  and  frufc 
trating  the  efforts  of  the  enemy ; 
that  the  naval  department  had 
been    mamefully    negle&ed ;     its 


ier vices;  and  that  the  blame  on 
this  fubjed  did  not  reft  with  him, 
but  with  the  dates  themfelves,  to 
whom  he  had  frequently  reraon  Grat- 
ed on  the  inattention  {hewn  with  re- 
fpe&  te  that  department,  and  as 
frequently  warned  them  of  the  bc* 
ceflity,  as  they  were  -purfuing  mea- 
sures tending  to  a  war,  to  be  in  dud 
preparation  for  with.ftancUng  its  con* 
Sequences. 

One  Specific  object  ctf  enquiry 
was,  indeed,  brought  early  for* 
ward,  and  it  Was  upon  a  iubje& 
which  had  made  the  deeped  public 
imprefljon,  and  excited  the  great  oft 
clamour :  this  was  upon  the  fubjecx 
pf  the  Dutch  fleet's  not  proceeding 
to  Bred,  according  to  compact,  in 
the  -year  1782,  when  the  memo- 
rable (cheme  had  been  formed*  that 
the  whole'  combined  ©aval  force  of 
the  houfe  of  Bourbon  and  of  Hoi- 
fand'fhould  hare  fallen  at  once  up- 
on  the  coalk  ef.  Great  Britain  (at  a 
time  when  Iter  ftrengxbwaa  chfperfed 
in  every  quarter  of  the  globe)  and 
fwept  every  thing  before  it.    Th« 


force,  fochas  it  «ras,  mi  (applied  or    failure  had  been  loudly"  attributed 
with&eid;  and  that  to  thete  caufes    to  criminal  negled,  if  not  to  trea- 


'  only  was  to  he  imputed  the  ruin  of 
*hejr  foreign  commerce,  and  the 
Jofs  of  their  colonies.  On  thefe 
points  the  prince  in  vain  repeat- 
edly chaDeng)c4  his  adversaries  to 
the  enquiry  and  proof  \  winch,  as 
they  evaded,  gave  reafon  to  beiievc 
£hat  they  did  not  want  to  bring 
them  to  a  ^eciiion,  the  event  of 
whicip  was  uncertain,  and  w^ich 
mud  overlay  their  defigns  if  it 
proved  in  his  favour^  that  they  on- 
ly wiifced  the  fcandal  to  lie,  and 
the  public  clamour  to  increase  or 
continue.  He  urged  that  the  weak 
date  and  bod  condition  of  their  nar 
vy  had  rendered  it  totally  inca* 
pable  of  performing  the  expected 


chery,  and  a  committee  was  fpeedi- 
\y  appointed  to  enquire  into  the 
caufes.  The  extreme  tedioufnefs 
of  the  proceedings  probably  an- 
fwered  all  the  purposes  that  were 
originally  intended,  in  keeping  the 
public  attention  and  expectation  a- 
wake,  the  popular  clamour  alive, 
and  giving  a  colour  to  all  other 
charges  and  furmifeb. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  public 
#fappotntuient,  when  )the  refult  of 
tlijs  flow  inquiiition  was  at  length 
published.  None  of  the  great  dif- 
coverie»  £bat  had  been  fo  long  ex- 
pected were  made;  nor  any  thing 
whatever  that  tended  to  aftedt  the 
ftadtholdet.    Some  errors  and  ruif- 

[t]  3  managements 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


7o]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786, 


managements  in  the  conduct  of 
their  marine,  particularly  with  re- 
gard to  the  mode  of  victualling  their 
fhips,  and  which  had  fubfifted  from 
time  immemorial,  were  now  for  the 
firft  time  detected ;  and  fome  na- 
val officers  received  blame  for  not 
obeying  the  orders  of  the  ftates,  and 
fulfilling  the  engagements  with  their 
allies,  without  regard  to  condition 
or  circumiiances. 

Other  concurring  caufes  contri- 
buted at  this  time  to  Tender  the 
party  in  queflion  peculiarly  power- 
ful and  numerous.  The  revolution 
in  America,  which  feems  to  have 
given  life  to  the  feeds  of  liberty,  in 
countries  where  it  was  leaft  to  be 
expected,  could  not  fail  to  revive 
and  increafe  the  republican  fpirit, 
in  a  country  diverfified  in  fo  many 
governments,  and  of  fuch  peculiar 
forms,  as  Holland.  The  numerous 
feci  of  the  Mennonites,  with  the 
other  numberlefs  fectaries  that  a- 
bound  fo  much  in  that  country,  be- 
ing generally  levellers  upon  prin- 
ciple, were  of  courfe  adverfe  to  any 
thing  that  bore  the  mod  diftant  re- 
femblance  to  regal  power,  in  what- 
ever manner  it  might  be  bound  or 
modified.  Thefe  people,  being  the 
great  money-dealers  of  the  coun- 
try, had,  in  the  courfe  of  near  a 
century  of  peace,  acquired  immenfe 
wealth,  which  tended  to  ftrengthen 
the  characterise  of  that  order  of 
men,  extreme  felfiihnefs,  and  an 
equal  deficiency  of  public  fpirit. 
*Their  wealth,  however,  necerfarily 
produced  a  very  extenfive  degree 
of  power  and  influence,  the  nobi- 
lity being  particularly  enthralled 
to  them,  either  through  perfonal 
debts  or  heavy  mortgages  on  their 
eftates. 

The  republican  fpirit  being  once 
Revived  among   the   fectaries,    in- 


fpired  them  with  all  the  enthufiafnj 
of  their  founders  and  anceftors. 
Enthufiafis  are  the  moil  troublefome 
as  well  as  the  raoft  dangerous  of  all 
enemies,  being  unwearied  in  their 
attacks,  implacable  in  their  ani- 
moflty,  and  their  operations  the 
more  difficult  to  be  foreleen  and 
counteracted,  as  no  rules  of  reafon 
or  experience  reach  to  meafure 
the  conduct  of  thofe  who  act  with- 
out regard  to  any.  Thefe  people 
became  accordingly  the  moll  bitter 
and  implacable  of  the  ftadthold.r* s 
enemies  :  while  each  feemed  indi- 
vidually to  confider  him  rather  as  a 
private  enemy,  from  whom  he  had 
received  fome  inexpiable  injury, 
than  as  a  member  of  the  ftate  with 
whom  he  differed  upon  public  prin-» 
ciples. 

The  meafure  of  placing  arms  in 
the  hands  of  the  burghers,  and  of 
encouraging  ,them  to  incorporate 
in  military  communities,  for  which, 
the  conteft  with  the  emperor  af- 
forded, a  pretext,  feems  to  have 
been  adopted  wiui  very  little  con-» 
fideration  by  the  leaders  of  the  fac- 
tion, was  pregnant  wjth  much  dif- 
ficulty and  trouble  to  themfelves, 
and  tended  in  its  extent  to  the 
overthrow  of  all  their  defigns,  and 
to  the  introduction  of  fuch  innova- 
tions, both  in  the  general  and  par- 
ticular forms  of  government  in  that 
country,  as  they  had  little  forefeen 
or  intended. 

For  the  better  comprehenfion  of 
this  part  of  the  fubject,  it  may  be 
neceflary  to  obferve  fome  peculia- 
rities in  the  political  ftate  of  the 
country,  which  are  not  always 
adverted  to.  The  people  at  large, 
in  the  various  ariftocratical  repub- 
lics, whofe  union  is  confidered'  as 
forming  one  great  commonwealth, 
have  in  fact  no  more  ihare  in  the 
government 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


[7i 


government  of  their  refpe&ive  com- 
munities, than  the  fubje&s  of  Ve- 
nice, Ruftia,  or  Turkey;  and  the 
ibvereignty,  with  refpeet  to  them, 
is  as  fupreme  as  it  is  in  thofe 
countries.  This  conftitntion  of  go- 
vernment having  fubiifted  from 
time  immemorial,  undoubtedlyfrom  ' 
the  firtt  inftitution  of*  municipal 
communities  in  the  country,  was 
become  fo  habitual  to  the  people, 
that  they  did  not  feem  to  think  of 
any  other,  nor  to  feel  any  incon- 
venience in  their  condition  j — an 
extraordinary  acquiescence  in  a  peo- 
ple efteemed  fo  jealous,  of  their  li- 
berties, unlefs  perhaps  it  be  fup- 
pofed,  that  the  manners  of  the  peo- 
ple prevailed  over  the  forms  of  the1 
conftitution  j  and  that  the  fpirit  of 
republican  equality,  leaving  thofe 
who  were  magiftrates  in  power 
only  vicious  in  appearance,  avoided 
abufe  of  authority  on  one  fide,  and 
envy  on  the  other.  However  that 
was,  the  ariftocracies.in  the  feveral 
diftinct  republics  were  fo  far  felf- 
ele&ive,  as  to  be  fubjeet  only  to  the 
controul  of  the  ftadtholder, ,  who  had 
a  right  of  nomination  or  negative 
with  refpect  to  a  fmall  limited  num- 
ber of  their  chooling. 

It  is  farther  to  be  particularly 
pbferved,  that  no  ideas  of  general 
liberty,  or  what  may  more  properly 
be  called  ot  any  extenfiou  of  the 
adminiftration  -of  government  to 
the  people  at  large,  appears  to  have 
been  entertained,  either  by  the  pre- 
fent.  or  by  any  of  the  former  parties 
in  that  country,  who  had.the  name 
of  republican.  Their  tendency  was 
to  ftrengthen  the  ariftocracies,  by 
removing  thofe  checks- which  the 
itadtholder  held  upon  their  felf- 
election,  and  to  place  the  general  go- 
vernment in  the  hands  of  an  oligar- 
chy, composed  of  their  own  principal 


leaders,  who  would  likewife  be  felf- 
ele&ive  and  perpetual ;  and  who, 
from  their  not  being  *  iubject  to  the 
jealoufy  attendant  on  the  govern- 
ment of  a  fingle  peribn,  would,  in 
the  nature  of  things,  foon  a  flu  me 
powers,  and  a  decinpn  of  authority, 
which  had  never  been  pofleued  by 
the  ftadtholderate. 

But  when  the  rafh  and  defperate 
meafure  of  arming  the  multitude 
was  adopted,  it  foon  changed  the 
face  and  nature  of  affairs,  and  pro- 
duced effects  as  directly  oppofite  to 
the  wiflies  as  to  the  intentions  of 
thofe  by*  whom  it  was  framed.  Th* 
people  finding  arms  in  their  hands, 
began  at  once  to  feel  their  own  im- 
portance 5  they  awakened,  as  it 
were,  from  a  dead  fleep,  and  began* 
to  wonder  why  they  heid  no  fhare 
in  that  government  \vhich  they  we're 
called  upon  to  defend  or  fupport,* 
and  which  it  was  evident  could  have 
no  permanent  fecurity  without  them. 
The  examples  of  Ireland  and  Ame- 
rica were  frefh  before  them  j  the 
very  term  of  volunteers,  which  they 
affumed,  contributed  to  flamp  the 
character  of  the  part  they  were  to 
act.  The  democratical  fpirit  being 
thus  fuddenly,  and  for  the  firft  time; 
brought  to  life,  and  feeling  as  it 
were  the  pofTeffion  of  its  faculties, 
difplayed  all  the  vigour,  and  per-; 
haps  even  the  wantonnefs  of  youth. 

The  armed  burghers  had  been 
intended  as  a  counterpoize  to  the 
army,  which  was  known  to  be-  ge-* 
nerally  attached  to  the  ftadtholder  ; 
and  it  was  fondly  expected,  that 
when  they  had  performed  the  fer- 
vice,  they  would  have  filently  funk 
into  their  former  infignincance! 
But  when,  without  waiting  for  that 
iffue,  they  began  to  hold  themfelve* 
up  as  conftitudnt  members  of  th6 
commonwealth,    and  demanded  to 

[A]  4      .  *• 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


7*]      ANNUAL    R  E  G  I  S  TE  R,  1786. 


be  admitted  to  .a-fhare  in  the  legif- 
lation  and  government  of  their  re- 
fpe&ive  cities,  by  electing  delegatef 
who  were  to  be  received  as  their 
legal  reprefentatives  in  tlie  public 
afiemblies,  and  thus  form  a  popular 
counterpoize  to  the  ariftocratjc 
power,  nothing  could  exceed  the 
furprize  and  conformation  which 
they  excited. 

The  ariftocracies  were  aghaft  and 
confounded  at  pretentions,  the  pof- 
fibility.  of  which  they  had  never 
even  thought  of;  nor  were  the 
principal  leaders  of  the  faction  lefs 
difconcerted  and  alarmed ;  they 
law  they  had  iraprovidently  raifed 
a  dangerous  fpirit,  and  brought  a 
Dew  power  into  a&ion,  without  a 
due  confideration  of  the  force  and 
excentricity  of  its  movements ;  and 
that  thefe  were  evidently  beyond 
their  contrpul  or  regulation.  The 
iituatiqn  was  indeed  critical  and 
dangerous  j  for  if  they  refufed  to 
comply  with  {he  demands  of  the 
armed  burghers,  it  was  to  be  feared 
that  they  woul4  change  fides  di- 
xe&ly,  and  go  over  to  the  Orange 
party,  by  which  the  ftadtholder 
would  have  been  rendered  fo  tri- 
umphantly powerful,  that  all  oppo- 
sition mufiVbq  at  an  end:  on  the 
ether  hand,  if  the  ariftocracies 
granted  their  claims,  they  muft  be 
for  ever  cut  off  from  all  the  fweets 
of  authority,  now  grown  habitual, 
and  which,  by  the  means  of  felf- 
ele&ion,  they  hoped  to  have  ren- 
dered as  nearly  immortal  as  human 
Jnftitutions  ire  capable  of  being. 

In  tbii  dilemma,  various  means 
were  -adopted  in  various  places^  and 
much  chicanery  pracTffed,  in  order 
to  ftave  off  the  evil  hour, ''  in  the 
hope  that  feme  fortunate  interrup- 
tion might  prevent :  the  queftion 
from  being  brought  to  an  abfolutc 


decifion,  or  at  leaft,  that  the  pref- 

fure  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  affair* 

might  be  eafed  before  it  was  brought 

to  an  iflue;    in   which  cafe,    the 

powers  of  the  law  and  of  the  ftate 

being  combined  againft    the  new 

pretentions,  the  popular  party  would 

of  neceffity  be  obliged  to  fubmitl 

In  fome  places,  where  the  claims 

were  tpa'irnpetupufly  urged,  and 

the  ariftocracy  top  ftiff  \6  give  way, 

the  latter  applied  to  the  ftatea  of 

the  province  for  protedfym,   whq 

accordingly   ordered    the   military 

force   of  the  ftate  to  reduce  the 

armed  burghers,  and  to  refipte  the 

ancient  constitution.     This  e^tre^ 

mity  was,  hqwever,  only  proceeded 

to  in  a  few  places.    In  the  city  of 

Utrecht,  where  the  armed  burghers 

amounted  to  feveral  tfroufands,  the 

popular  fpirit   was   carried  to  its 

higheft  extreme  of  violence  j  they' 

not  only  Set  the  dates  of  the  pro* 

vioce  at  defiance,   but  taking  tfa* 

government  of  the  city  entirely  inU* 

their  own  hands,  and  converting  it 

into  a  place  of  arms,  prepared  for 

defence  ^nd  open  war,  both  againft 

the  provincial  and  general  force  of 

tlje  ftate.    in  procefs  of  time,  and 

after  various  tumults  and  ftruggles, 

tlie  ariftocracies   were  obliged  in 

many  places,    particularly    feveral 

towns  of  Holland,  to  give  way  to 

the  prevailing  neceffity,  and  to  i'uh- 

mit  in  fome  degree  to  the  claims  of 

the  popular  party. 

'This  was  the  only  extenfion  of 

public  liberty  which  thefe  dhTen- 

fions  have  hitherto  produced ;  apdt 

this  proceeded  from  circumftance, 

occa,hbn,  and  final  neceffity,   and 

not  from  any  previous  defign  or 

wifh. 

The  ffates  of  Holland  and  Weft 
Frieze! and  were  the  great  and  con^ 
ftant  impugners  of  the  ftadtholder's 
'  -  authority 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


J 


HISTORY    OF   EUROPE. 


[73 


authority  and  prerogative*.    They 
affumed  a  fuperiority  not  admitted 
t»y  the  conftitution   of  the  union, 
and  derived  only  from  the  circum- 
fcmces  of  the  tiiii-inentioned  pro- 
vince polTclling  a  greater  fhare  of 
wealth,  and  a  larger  extent  of  ter- 
ritory, than  apy  of  the  others  j  they 
paid  but  little  regard  or   attention 
to   the  ftates  general  in  the  mea- 
fores  which  they  purfued,  and  the 
continual   warfare,  as  it    may    be 
called,  which   they  waged  again  ft 
him  5  a&ing  upon    thefe  occalious 
rather  at  afupreme  dictator,  than 
as  an  equal  and  co-regent  with  the 
other  provinces.    The  raoft   bitter 
animonty  which  appeared   againft 
that  prince,  feemed  to  be  peculiarly 
lodged  in  the  province  of  Holland ; 
and  the  city  of  Amfterdam  took  the 
lead  of  ail  other  places  in  the  in- 
variable, d&fplay  of  that    enmity. 
The  pride  aad  wealth  of  that  city, 
with  its  paramount  influence  in  its' 
own  province,  had  at  all  times  fre- 
quently induced  both  to  aiiuroe  an 
odious  pre-eminence  over  their  fel- 
lows 5   and  though   this  had  been 
generally  fubmitted  to,  yet  when 
they  have  carried  the  fpirit  of  do- 
mination to  a  certain     degree    of 
excefs,  it  has  •  occauonally  excited 
fucb  a  refentment  ill  other  provin- 
ces, as  more  thaji  once  feenied  to 
threaten  a  dilTolution  of  the  union. 
*  Their  influence  cannot,    however, 
but  continue  great,  from  the  caufes 
we  have  mentioned. 

It  is  eafily  feen,  from  the  flafe  of 
affairs  which  we  have  premifed, 
that  the  adverfe  faction  had  many 
and  great  advantages  over  their  ad- 
verfaries  of  the  Orange  party  in 
this  con  tell.  They  were  clofely 
united,  by  having  had  for  feveral 
years  one  common  object  in  view, 
to  which  all  their  meafures  were 


directed;  while  their  antagonifls, 
having  no  object  to  attain  which 
might  ferve  to  unite  their  seal,  or 
excite  their  enterprise,  were  loofe, 
carelefs,  and  unconnected.  The  ad? 
verfe  party  had  likewife  the  ww 
fpeakable  advantage  of  being  fup- 
ported  by  the  monied  men  ;  they 
were  betides  quickened  by  the  ar- 
dour, and  kept  in  conftant  exereife 
by  the  indefatigable  zeal>  and  reft- 
lets  fpirit,  always  obfervable  in  fee- 
taries.  And  though  the  meafore  of 
arming  the  volunteers  had  been 
productive  of  much  trouble  and  dis- 
order among  themfelves,  yet  it  af- 
forded them  at  leaft  the  benefits  of  * 
a  formidable  appearance^  and  of  a 
menacing  afpeci. 

It  was  neceffary  that  tho  prince 
(tadthojder  mould  not  be  weak  or 
unguarded,  to  withstand  fuch  a  com* 
bination  of  adverfe  interefts,  pan- 
ties, and  circumftances.  He  wa$ 
indeed  ftrongly  fortified  on  all  fides. 
He  was  armed  with  great  lega^ 
rights,  authorities,  and  powers,  of 
which  he  could  not  be  deprived  at 
lefs  expence  than  a  total  r upturn 
and  nearly  fubverfion  of  the  (y Item 
and  conftitution  of  the  republic  ; 
at  the  fame  time  that,  during  the. 
courfe  of  the  conteft,  they  would 
have  abundantly  afforded  him  the 
means  of  their  own  prefer  vat  ion  and 
defence.  In  virtue  of  his  offices  of 
captain-general  and  admiral-gene- 
ral of  the  union,  the  whole  military 
force  of  the  republic  by  fea  and 
land  was  in  his  poffeflion.  This 
fovereign  authority  was  confirmed 
and  rendered  more  effective,  by  hh 
having  the  fole  dlfpofal  of  all  mili- 
tary commitlions,  from  thofb  of  the 
colonels  to  the  enfigns  inclusively : 
by  the  troops  being  bound  in  an. 
oath  of  fidelity  to  him  personally  ^ 
as  well  as  to  the  ftates  5  and  by  the 

whole 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


74]         ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 

whole  army  being  obliged  to  obey 
bis  commands  implicitly  in  ail  mi- 
litary cafes.  In  the  fpiiit  of  the 
fame  authority,  he  had  the  power 
of  changing,  leflening,  or  increaf- 
ing  garrifons,  of  directing  all  the 
movements  of  the  troops, .  of  af- 
ferabling  the  army,  or  any  part  of 
k,  and  of  ordering  it  to  march  at 
will.  He  held  a  fimilar-  authority 
in  the  naval  department  -,  and  all 
thefe  great  powers  were  confirmed 
and  rendered  more  effective,  by  the 
firong  general  attachment  both  of 
the  fleet  and  army,  to  his  perfon  and 
Snfcerefts. 

But  his  authority  and  legal  pow- 
ers were  by  no  means  confined  to 
the  fleet  and  army.  By  his  office 
of  ftadtholder,  he  was  placed  as 
prefident  at  the  head  of  roofl  if 
not  all  of  the  civil  departments  of 
the  ftate.  JJe  prefided,  either  in 
perfon  or  by  deputy,  as  he  chofe, 
in  all  the  afTemblies  of  the  feveral 
refpective  provinces.  He  had  a  feat, 
though'not  a  vote,  in  the  affembly 
of  the  ftates  general  j  and  it  was 
not  merely  a  matter  of  right,  but  a 
part  of  his  official  duty,  to  be  pre- 
sent at  their  deliberations,  and  to 
give  his  opinion  or  advice  upon 
all  matters  of  their  deliberation,,  in 
which  he  deemed  either  neceifary  ; 
and  this  had  not  only  a  great  influ- 
ence upon  their  proceedings,  but 
in  times  of  harmony,  and  under  a 
vigorous  and  fucceisful  adminifira- 
tion  of  public  affairs,  was  gener- 
ally decifive  of  their  conduct.  His 
right  of  nomination  or  rejection 
with  refpect  to  the  new  members 
appointed  to  fill  up  the  town  fenates 
and  magiftracies  was  now  conteft- 
ed,  and  generally  overruled,  but 
could  not  fail  to  have  given  him  by 
its  pad  operation  a  great  influence 
in  thofe  diftinct  republics.     In  the 


quality  of  governor-general  and  {** 
preme  director  of  the  Eaft  and  Weft- 
India  companies,  the  ftadtholder 
likewife  had  an  unbounded  influ- 
ence in  thofe  great  commercial  bo- 
dies. 

With  thefe  legal  and  official  pow- 
ers, he  had  a  full  moiety,  at  lead, 
of  the  people  at  large  either  abfo- 
lutely  attached  to  his  interefts,  or 
fo  far  on  his  fide,  that  from  their 
averfenefs  to  all  violent  innovations 
in  the  conftijution  and  government, 
they  were  well  difpofed  to  the  fup- 
port  of  his  authority,,  Even  in  the 
province  of  Holland;  and  in  Am- 
fterdam  itfelf,  the  great  feat  and 
ftrong  hold  of  his  enemies,  no  cal- 
culator could  determine  on  which 
fide  the  majority  would  appear,  if 
the  matters  in  difpute  were  to  be 
decided  by  a  general  poll.  The 
fame  diverfity  of  party  and  opinion, 
every  where  appeared.  Nor  was 
there  a  much  greater  concurrence 
in  the  ariltocracies  themfelves  than 
among  the  people.  Even  in  Am- 
fterdam,  Rotterdam,  and  the  greater 
cities  of  Holland,  which  were  thofe 
moft  peculiarly  adverfe  to  the  ftadt- 
holder, the  domineering  party  cquld 
only  build  upon  majorities,  nothing 
like  unanimity  being  any  where  to 
be  obtained.  In  the  fmaller  towns, 
the  parties  in  the  government  were 
generally  more  nearly  upon  an 
equality.  With  refpect  to  the  pro- 
vincial ftates,  thofe  of  Guelderland 
and  Utrecht  were  entirely  on  his 
fide;  thofe  of  the  three  other  pro- 
vinces fluctuating;  and  difpofed  to 
be  mediatorial  j  fo  that  thofe  only  of 
Holland  and  Welt  Friezeland  were 
abfolutely  inimical  to  him.  Yet, 
even  in  the  ailembly  of  the  ftates 
of  Holland,  the  grand  queftion  re- 
lative to  the  government  of  the 
Hague,  after  being  long  and  viq- 

lently 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


[75 


lently  agitated,  was  only  carried 
againft  him  by  a  fingle  vote.  The 
equeftrian  order,  or  nobles,  which 
may  in  fome  degree  be  compared 
with  what  is  called  in  England  the 
landed  rntereft,  were,  in  the  pro- 
vince of  Holland,  as  every  where 
elfe,  generally  on  the  prince's  fide. 
Their  fhare  in  the  government  of 
that  province  is,  however,  but  very 
fmall,  as  they  hold  only  one  voice 
in  the  aifembly  of  the  ftates,  which 
con  lifts  of  nineteen. 

In  fuch  an  eftimate  of  the  prince 
ftadtholder's  powers  and  resources 
it  ffiould  not  be  entirely  overlook- 
ed, that  he  held  in  his  own  inhe- 
rent right,  as  derived  from  his  ances- 
tors, very  confiderable  eftates  and 
pofleflions,  including  cities,  caftles, 
palaces,  lordfhips,  and  marquifates, 
in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and 
that  thefe,  of  old  right,  endued  him 
with  feveral  important  privileges 
and  authorities,  independent  of  his 
offices  under  the.ftate.  Nor  mould 
that  great  external  refource  be  for- 
gotten, which  he  poifefled  in  the 
friendfhip  and  protection  of  the 
Pruflian  monarch  j  a  connection 
cemented  by  all  the  bands  of  po- 
licy, as  well  as  by  the  ties  of  a  near 
affinity:  and  whichefte&ually  fhield- 
ed  him  from  the  apprehenhon  of 
his  adyerfaries  being  ever  fuffered 
to  proceed  beyond  certain  limited 
meafures  of  violence  againft  him. 

The  faction,  however,  found 
themfelves  fo  potent  at  home,  and 
placed  fo  unbounded  a  confidence 
in  the  fupport  of  France,  which 
they  now  confidered  as  the  great 
palladium  of  the  ftate,  as  well  as 
of  the  party,  that  ihey  paid  lefs  at- 
tention to  the  admonitions  of  the 
great  Frederic,  Jhan  a  well-advifed 
policy  would  at  any  time  have  ad- 
pitted  3  and  without  even  waiting 


for  the  abfolute  conclufion  of  thfr 
negotiations  .  with  the  emperor  at* 
Paris,  proceeded  at  once  to  (hew 
that  they  were  no  longer  difpofed 
to  obferve  any  meafures  of  amity 
with  the  prince  ftadtholder,  nor 
even  to  prelerve  thofe  outward  apr 
pearances  which  might  indicate  a 
diCpofition  to' future  conciliation. 
This  was  announced  by  diverting 
him  of  the*  government  and  com* 
mand  of  the  garrifon  of  the  Hague* 
a  meafure  not  more  violent  in  the 
ad,  than  it  was  degrading  in  the 
execution,  through  the  unufual  cir- 
cumftances  with  which  it  was  ac-* 
companied. 

The  immediate  and  often fible* 
motive  aifigned  for  this  mea- 
fure, was  a  riot  which  had  taken 
place  at  the  Hague.  The  garrifon 
were  charged  with  not  taking: 
immediate  and  erTe&ual  .meafures 
for  preventing  or  fuppreifing  it. 
The  riot  in  itfelf,  compared  with 
thofe  which  every  day  occurred  in 
other  places,  was  a  matter  of  little 
,  confequence.  A  few  armed  volun- 
teers from  fome  neighbouring  town 
came  to  parade  at  the  Hague,  e- 
quipped  in  their  uniforms  and  pe-. 
culiar  badges,  a  proceeding  which 
could  not  fail  to  irritate  the  inha- 
bitants, who  they  knew  were  zea- 
loufly  attached  to  the  perfon  .and 
interefts  of  the  prince  of  Orange.- 
It  was  fcarcely  in  the  nature  of 
things  that  a  riot  fhould  not  be 
the  confequence  \  and  the  intruders 
were  with  fome  difficulty  preferved 
from  becoming  victims  to  their  own 
temerity,  and  to  the  fury  of  the  peo- 
ple :  they,  however,  efcaped  with- 
out any  material  injury. 

This  affair  was  refented  with  a 
violence  di (proportioned  to  its  mag- 
nitude, and  taken  up  with  a  high 
hand  by  the  adverfe  faction.     In- 
dependent 


Digitized  by  Vj( 


tf]       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


dependent  of  their  defire  to  leften 
*he  prince**  authority,  they  like- 
wife  wiihed,  and  Scarcely  lets,  to 
Aibdue  the  fpirit  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Hague.  The  a&ing  com- 
mittee of  the  ftates  of  Holland,  de- 
termining not  to  let  the  meafure 

qm^  Q*k  co01' yfiwd  a  hafty  re- 

?*8<  folution  or  decree,  by 
"  5*  which  they  deprived  the 
prince  of  his  government  and  com- 
mand, forbidding  the  troops  to  re- 
ceive the  word  from  him,  to  obey 
Ilia  orders  in  any  manner,  or  even 
to  pay  him  any  pf  the  cuftomary 
military  honours.  To  render  the 
degradation  complete,  and  as  it 
were  to  add  the  incurable  ftiog  of  a 
perfonal  infojt,  they  at  the  fame 
fime  ftripped  him  of  his  own  body- 
guards, and  even  of  the  hundred 
Swifs,  who  were  deftined  merely  to 
civil  purpofes„and  to  the  fupport  of 
ftate  parade  and  magnificence.  The 
prince's  remonftrances  and  protefta- 
tions,  in  which  he  termed  this  refo- 
lutkm  a  violent  breach  of  the  con- 
fUtution,  an  invafion  of  his  rights, 
in  outrage  offered  to  his  authority, 
and  an  indignity  to  his  perfon  and 
character,  could  produce  no  other 
Satisfaction,  than  the  contemptuous 
intimation,  that  the  guards  were 
maintained  for  the  purpofe  of  fup- 
porting  the  grandeur  of  the  ftate. 
and  not  for  the^  aggrandizement  of 
Ihe  ftadthoMer. 

It  was  impoffibie  that  the  prince 
and  princeis,  after  fuch  a  public 
Jndignity,  could,  with  any  degree 
pf  propriety,  continue  longer  in  a 
Place,  which  was  the  feat  of  the 
foort,  of  public  bufinefs,  and  of 
government,  as  well  as  the  residence 
m  all  the  foreign  ruinifters:  they 
accordingly  abandoned  the  Hague 
Momediately  $  the  prince  retiring 
\p  his  own  city  of  Breda,  and  the 


princefs  with  the  children,  to  Weft 
Friezeland,  where  the  people,  not- 
withftanding  the  implacable  enmity 
of  the  ftates  of  that  province,  were 
generally  well  affe&ed  to  the  Orange 
family.  The  prince  and  princefe 
were  obliged  to  perform  thefe  joor- 
nies  without  any  other  guard  or 
fecurity  to  their  perfbns  than  their 
own  dome  flics,  although  it  was 
a  feafon  of  the  moft  lawlefs  violence 
and  tumult,  and  that  the  virulence  of 
the  oppofite  party  wasrifen  to  fuch 
a  pitch,  that  on  a  late  journey,  tho* 
then  attended  by  their  guards,  fucb 
a  riot  was  raifed  in  a  confiderable 
town  which  they  patted,  that  feme 
of  their  attendants  wire  killed  j 
and  their  happening  to  quit  the 
carriage,  and  go  into  a  houfe  before 
k  commenced,  was  perhaps  fortu- 
nate with  refpe&  to  their  own  faft- 

This  meaftire  was  foon  fotlowett 
by  an  order  for  furniihing  the 
guards  with  new  colours,'  in  whicfe  « 
the  arms  of  the  houfe  of  Orange 
were  totally  omitted,  and  thofe  of 
the  province  of  Holland  fubftkttteg 
in  their  plaee.  Thefe  were  pre- 
fented  in  the  name  of  the  ftates, 
and  a  fpecial  order  given  to  the  of- 
ficers, that  the  arms  of  the  province, 
and  no  other,  fhould  be  engraved 
on  their  gorgets. 

The  king  of  Pruffia  regarded  this 
violent  attack  upon  the  authority, 
and  perfonal  intuit  offered  to  the 
ftadtbolder,  with  great  but  regu- 
lated indignation  ;  he  dill  preferred 
the  moft  temperate  language  in  his 
remonftrances  j  and  while  his  ex- 
poftulations  placed  in  the  fulleg 
light  the  wrongs  and  undefetved 
injuries  fuftained  by  that  prince, 
and  fufficiently  indicated  that  he 
was  too  much  interefted  in  his  canfe 
to  permit  bis  becoming  ultimately 
a  vidim 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


in 


a  vi&im  to  oppreffion,  yet  for  the 
prefent  he  appeared  rather  in  the 
character  of  a  friendly  neighbour 
to  both,  and  an  amicable  mediator, 
wishing  to" reconcile  the  differences 
and  mifuuderftandings  between  the 
parties,  than  the  dked  advocate  of 
either. 

A  hint  was,  however,  about  this 
time  thrown  out  by  his  minifters, 
which  feemed  capable  of  infpiring 
fome  prefent  caution  in  the  govern* 
ing  powers  of  Holland,  by  mewing 
the  open  grounds  tor  ierious  claim 
and  difcuilion  which  be  poffeffed  in 
his  own  right,  whenever  he  chofc 
to  occupy  them;  and  the  eafe  with 
which  they  -might  be  applied  to 
give  a  fan&ion  to  fudden  move- 
ments, and  to  afford  a  cover  for 
alarming  meafures,  if  their  conteits 
with  .the  prince  mould  be  carried  to 
iuch  an  extremity  as  might  render 
them  neceffary.  Jt  was  intimated 
to  the  dates,  that  the  king,  in  his 
own  right,  had  matters  of  difcuffion 
of  a  long  Handing  to  lettle  .  with 
them,  aud  which  nothing  but  a 
forbearance  founded  on  friendfhip 
could  have  permitted  to  remain  fo 
long  in  a  llate  of  fulpenuon.  That 
as  they  had  now  found  it  neceflary 
to  enter  into  a  regulation  and  iettle- 
ment  of  their  limits  in  Brabant  and 
Flanders  with  the  emperor,  it  would 
be  no  lefs  proper  and  neceflary, 
that  they  condefcended  to  pay  a 
fimilar  regard  to  him,  by  an  ad- 
juftment  of  the  difputed  limits  in 
£aft  Friezeland  and  Gutlderland; 
in  order  thereby  to  prevent  a  re- 
newal of  tholV  differences  which 
Bad  heretofore  taken  place  upon 
thefe  fubjects,  and  to  pay  that  at- 
tention to  his  claims  and  demands, 
which  their  nature  and  jultnefs  re- 
quired. 

Jls  this  was  merelv  an  intima* 


tion,  it  probably  produced  no  for* 
mal  reply.  Nor  does  it  appear  to 
have  produced  any  ceffation  in  the 
violence  of  the  meafures  purfucd 
againft  the  prince.  The  ruling 
powers  at  the  Hague,  who  repre- 
sented the  Hates  of  Holland  and 
Weft  Friezeland,  in  their  anfwer  to 
the  king's  manifefto  or  memorial 
upon  that  fubjeft,  look  care  to  lofe 
no  part  of  that  high  dignity  apper- 
taining to  the  raoft  fupreme  fore* 
reignty.  In  thanking  him  for  the 
regards  he  expreffed  to,  and  the  in- 
tereft  he  took  in  the  affairs  of  the 
republic,  .after  taking  care  to  re* 
mind  him  that  thofe  two  provinces, 
form  the  principal  part  of  that  con- 
ftituent  body,  they  proceed  further 
to  obferve,  that  it  was  owjng  en- 
tirely to  their  particular  refped  for 
him,  and  to  the  mutual  regards  and 
friendihip  fubfifting  between  them, 
that  they  could  at  all  enter  into  any 
explanation  of  their  conduct  upon 
the  prefent  occafion  ;  but  that  from 
thefe  motives,  and  to  convince  the 
king  that  no  duplicity  was  intended 
on  their  part,  but  that  their  views, 
like  their  conduct,  were  open,  man- 
ly, aud  continent  (as  it  became  fo- 
vereigos  in  all  traniadions  with  any 
of  their  fervante,  however  highly 
exalted  by  pofts  or  privileges  they 
might  be)  they  would  inform  him, 
that  they  could  not  in  any  manner 
recede  from  their  refolutions  with 
refped  to  the  government  of  the 
Hague:  that  in  other  refpeds,  i» 
all  cafes  of  conteft  with  foreign 
powers,  they  ihould  at  all  times  be 
deiirous  to  accept  the  king's  friend- 
ly intervention  and  mediation ;  but 
that  in  what  related  to  internal  go- 
vernment, to  the  iecurity  of  the 
ftate,  to  public  tranquillity,  and 
particularly  to  the  appointment, 
iuperintendance,   or   dikharge   of 

their 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


7«1 


ANNUAL  REGISTER,  17*6. 


their  own  officers  or  fervants,  they 
could  on  no  account  derogate  from 
their  character  of  independent  States, 
by  admitting  of  any  interference  j 
and  that  he  was  himfelf  too  good  a 
judge,  and  too  frrift  a  maintained 
of  the  rights  of  fovereignty,  to  ex- 
pect or  to  approve  of  fuch  a  dero- 
gation. 

In -other  ahfwers  upon  the  fame 
occasion,  and  about  the  lame  time, 
they  difclaimed,  in  very  loofe  and 
general  terms,  all  oppreflive  and 
illegal  a6to  or  deSigns,  either  againft 
the  ftadtholder,  or  any  other  of  their 
fervants ;  with  the  evidently  im- 
plied refervation,  of  being  them- 
ielves  the  fo!e  judges  of  what  con- 
stituted oppreflion  or.  illegality. 
They  attributed  the  king's  appli- 
cations to  miiinformation  and  mif- 
xeprefentation,  hoping  (with  an  ap- 
parent fneer)  that  the  ftadtholder 
could  not  poUibly  hate  beeA  fo  for- 
getful of  the  relation  in  which  he 
ftood  with  tlie  republic,  as  to  be  the 
means  of  conveying  them  5  and  add- 
ing, that  it  would  be  placing  all 
the  parties  in  a  ftrange  relative 
Situation  indeed,  if  he  were  to  make 
complaints  of  them  to  the  king ;  a 
meafure  which  in  its  confequences, 
if  admitted,  would  tend  to  leave 
them  nothing  more  than  an  empty 
name  and  very  Shadow  of  fovereign- 
ty.  They  fpoke  in  the  fame  gene- 
ral manner  of  civil  commotions,  of 
meafures  expedient  for  their  own 
fectirity,  and *  of  the  neceflity  of 
putting  an.* effectual  ftop  to  feveral 
abufes  and  encroachments  which 
tended  to  the  detriment  of  the 
country. 
jy  As  a  proof  of  the  fmall 

1*7 8  c      reSar^   which    they    paid 

'   *->'     to   the   king  of   Pruiiia's 

remonftrance,  they  iflued  an  order; 

that  the  military  honours  uiually 


paid  to  the  ftadtholder,  in  all  hid 
different  capacities  of  captain  ge- 
neral, governor  of  the  Hague,  and 
commander  of  the  garrifon,  Should 
in  future  be  paid  only  to  the  presi- 
dent of  their  committee,  as  the  re* 
prefentative  of  the  ftates,  and  to 
the  grand  penfionary  of  Holland. 
This  was  }n  fome  time  followed  by 
an  order  to  diicharge  all  the  troops 
in  general  of  the  province  front 
their  oatli  of  fidelity  to  the  ftadt- 
holder, and  to  preicribe  a  new  oath, 
by  which  they  were  bound  to  the 
ftates  only.  All  thefe  innovations 
were  fubraitted  to  by  the  troops  in 
general,  both  officers  and  foldiers, 
with  the  greateft  reluctance,  and  in 
numerous  inftances  with  apparent 
indignation.  As  the  differences  i  re- 
created, the  ftadtholder's  power  of 
.difpofing  of  the  regimental  corn- 
millions  was  fufpended  for  an  unli- 
mited time,  and  this  eifential  branch 
of  his  prerogative  ufurped.  The 
caufe  afligned,  in  anfwer  to  his  re- 
monftrances,  for  this  meafure,  was* 
not  fo  much  a  juftification  of  a  right 
to  aftume,  as  a  reafon  for  the  ufe  of 
power,  "  that  the  influence  which 
"  he  derived  from  that  authoritj 
"  in  the  army  was  not,  in  the  pre- 
"  fent  Situation  of  affairs,  deemed 
"  confonant  with  the  fecurity  of  the 
"  State." 

The  domineering  party  no  longer 
contained  themfelves  within  any  fort 
*  of  bounds  5  they  laid  t)ie  heavieft 
hand  of  power  over  all  thofe  who 
gave  marks  of  attachment  to  the 
iiadtholder's  intereft.  The  virulence 
and  malice  of  the  contention  was 
fo  great,  that  tumults  were  almoft 
continual  3  and  while  the  rioters  on 
one  fide  were  Severely  punifhed, 
even  for  petty  excelfes,  thofe  on  the 
other  were  protected  in  the  grofleft 
violence  and  outrage.  They  pro- 
ceeded 


pigitized  b) 


y  Google 


HISTORY   OF    EUROPE. 


needed  without  reftraint,  and  with- 
out regard  to  general  law,  or  parti- 
cular constitutions,  to  weed  the  ma- 
gistracies of  all  thofe  who  were  even 
fufpe&ed  of  any  attachment  to  the 
Orange  interest,  filling  up  their 
places  with  the  moil  turbulent  of 
their  own  party  j  and  even  fub- 
roitted  to  the  democratic  enroach-* 
ments  of  the  armed  burghers,  and 
thereby  totally  changed  the  nature 
of  the  old  constitution,  in  order  to 
carry  that  favourite  point.  They 
had  taken  the  prefs  entirely  into 
their  hands :  while  the  moil  fcurri- 
lous  invectives  were. every  day  pub- 
lished, not  only  with  impunity,  but 
apparent  encouragement  againSt  the 
Stadtboldcr,  the  moSt  temperate  writ- 
ings in  defence  of  his  rights,  or 
bare  Statement  of  their  nature,  fub- 
jec\ed  the  publishers  and  the  writers 
to  fevere  and  certain  puniShment. 

Not  that  the  Orange  party  was 
even  then  entirely  devoid  of  a 
difpoSition  to  excels  and  outrage, 
Nnor  perhaps  in  their  hour  are  they 
more  refpe&ful  of  individual  or 
constitutional  rights.  Certain  it  is, 
however  unfortunately,  that  the  firSt 
operation  of  civil  diifen lions  is  to 
fufpend  thofe  very  laws  of  which 
each  party  aSTuraes  to  be  the  aSTertor. 
To  judge  truly  of  the  merits  of  po- 
litical queftions,  we  muSl  refort  to 
the  original  caufe  of  quarrel,  and 
not  look  too  minutely  to  the  occa- 
sional infringements  of  right  which 
intervene,  and  are  in  a  manner  in- 
evitable in  violent  contests.  The 
difputed  territory  is  trampled  by 
thofe  who  defend  as  well  as  thofe 
who  invade  it.  We  mult  not  there- 
fore, as  many  are  apt  to  do,  form 
too  halfcy  a  conclusion  to  the  difad- 
vantage  of  mankind ,  and  fuppofe, 
from  the  exceSTes  that  ariie  on  all 
fides;  nor  even  becaufe  a  departure 


179 

from  the  principles  fet  out  upon 
is  obferved  in  many  controversies, 
that  all  pretences  are  falfe,  and  all- 
motives  unjuft.  Without  presuming 
to  direct  the  judgment  of  our  read- 
ers, we  only  point  out  the  criterion, 
and  we  apprehend  it  is  to  be  Sought 
m  thofe  grand  obje&s,  and  that 
general  line  of  policy,  which  cha«^ 
ra6fcerizes  each  contending  party  j 
and  we  are  perfuaded  that  'all  Eng- 
lish readers  entertain  a  favourable 
difpoSition  towards  that  which  ce- 
ments the  natural  union  between 
the  maritime  powers  and  free  con- 
ftitutions of  England  and  the  united 
States,  and  which  tends  to  fecure  ia 
a  chief  magistrate  an  efte&ive  au- 
thority, but  limited  by  law. 

Although  the  republican  party 
carried  their  constitutional  innova- 
tions, and  the  viola tibn  of  corporate 
and  private  rights,with  little  compa- 
rative resistance,  the  courfe  of  their 
aSFairs  was  not  entirely  fmooth* 
Man  is  fo  indefinable  a  being,  that 
he  frequently  engages,  in  contempt 
of  all  dangers  and  hazards,  in  t lie 
defence  of  trifles,  at  the  fame  time 
that  he  gives  up  obje&s  of  the 
greatest  moment  to  his  lecurity  and 
happinels,  and  •  fubmits  to  oppres- 
sions that  embitter  his  existence, 
with  Scarcely  a  murmur.  In  the 
prefent  instance,  the  wearing  and 
prohibiting  of  orange  -  coloured 
cockades  and  ribbons  feemed  for  a 
time  to  be  the  great  objed.  of  con- 
test and  aniraoSity  between  the  rival 
factions.  Even  the  military,  both 
officers  and  private  men,  .notwith- 
standing their  habits  of  implicit 
fubraiifion,  became  eager  parties  in 
this  conteft  j  and,  in  defiance  of  pro- 
clamations and  punilhments,  were 
continually  flying  in  the  face  of 
their  employers  and  paymasters,  by 
wearing  of  this  interdicted  colour ; 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


So]     Annual  register,  1786. 


lb  that  it  feemed  for  a  time  doubt- 
ful, whether  the  very  harfh  exercife 
of  very  ftrong  powers  of  govern- 
ment could  have  fuppreffed  the  dif- 
play  of  this  enfign  of  party  zeal, 
without  itriking  directly  at  the  ex- 
iftence  ef  the  iiianufa&ure. 

The  prince  ftadtholder  and  has 
family,  after  fojourning  for  fome 
<con(iderable  time  at  Middlebnrgh 
in  Zealand,  when  he  found  that  the 
faction  in  Holland  were  proceeding 
/to  the  utmoft  extremities  againtt 
him,  and  that  it  became  every  day 
more  apparent,  that  nothing  lefs 
than  an  appeal  to  the  laft  re  fort  of 
princes  could  preferve  thofe  remains 
of  his  authority  which  were  ftill 
left,  had  he  even  fubmitted  to  the 
lofs  already  fuftained,  removed  at 
length  to  the  province  of  Guelder- 
land.  This  was  the  mod  judicious 
jneafure  that  he  could  poifibly  have 
taken  f  for,  befides  that  the  ftates  of 
that  province,  as  well  as  of  its  neigh- 
%our  Utrecht,  were  entirely  on  his 
iide,  and  the  little  country  ©f  Over- 
Yfl'el,  from  its  fituation,  entirely 
within  his  power  whenever  he  found 
^exertion  abfolutely  neceffary,  he 
was  iikewife  within  fuch  a  diftance 
•of  the  tarbuleat  city  of  Utrecht,  as 
<at  leaft  to  protect  the  ftates  of  that 
province,  whom  they  had  already 
obliged  to  retire  to  Amersfort,  from 
any  obftru&ion  or  difturbance  in 
•their  proceedings  at  that  place.— 
*  Thefe  were,  however,  but  fecondary 
objects,  when  compared  with  the 
^reat  advantages  which  that  fitua- 
tion would  afford,  if  matters  were 
brought  to  a  certain  degree  of  ex- 
tremity, through  the  nearnefs  of  the 
Prutfian  territories,  which  inclofed 
•Gueldres  on  two  fides,  with  limits 
€0  mixed  and  open,  that  the  inter- 
eourfe  could  not  be  interrupted. 

Obvious  as  thefe  advantages  wefe, 


they  feemed  <ro  efcape  the  obferva- 
tion  of  the  adverfe  faction  in  Hol- 
land, until  they  began  to  be  per- 
ceived in  their  confequences.  The 
prince  ftill  retained  the  command 
of  the  forces  of  five  provinces, 
which  were  about  equal  in  ftrength 
to  thofe  ©f  Holland  >  fo  that  fro*A 
his  retreat  to  Guetderland  he  lay- 
no  longer  at  the  mercy  of  his  ene- 
mies. From  the  attachment  of  th6 
troops  to  him,  k  was  doubtful  how 
far  they  might  obey  even  the  orders 
of  their  refpective  ftates,  in  with- 
drawing from  his  command,  if  fuch 
a  fcene  of  diibrder  was  once  opened 
as  might  afford  a  colour  for  difcre*- 
tionary  conduct  or  hold  out  a  fane* 
tion  to  difobedience. 

We  are  now,  however,  to  loolc  to, 
feveral  matters  that  preceded  and 
led  to  this  laft  refburce  which  the 
prince  adopted,  of  retiring  wkh  & 
military  force  to  his  ftrong  hold  in 
Guelderland.  Great  expectations 
had  been  formed  on  both  fides,  from 
the  affemblage  of  the  ftates  of  Hol- 
land and  Weft  Friezeland,  which 
was  to  take  place  at  the  Hague  in 
the  middle  of  March.  Although 
the  ftadtholder  had  no  vote  in  that 
affembly,  it  would  have  been  his 
duty  to  have  attended,  in  order  to 
give  his  advice,  and  to  \af  fuch  pro- 
posals and  matters  relative  to  pub- 
lic affairs  as  he  thought  fitting,  be- 
fore them  for  regular  difcuffion,  ha& 
aot  the  late  affronts  which  lie  re- 
ceived put  it  out  of  his  power  to 
return  to  that  place,  until  he  was 
reftored  to  his  former  dignities  and 
authority.  The  ftates  themielves 
leemed  to  entertain  nofmall  appre- 
henfion  of  the  tumults  which  might 
take  place  upon  that  occafion,  from 
the  great  and  general  attachment 
of  the  inhabitants  to  the  prince, 
and  the  ltroag  fenfations  of  grief 

find 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


£81 


and  indignation,  which  the  novelty 
and  caufe  of  his  abfence,  with  the 
public  difplay  of  his  degradation; 
Were  likely  to  produce. 

To  obviate  thefe  difagreeable  ef- 
fects, after  a  day  of  public  prayer 
and  failing  had  been  fuppofed  to 
diffufe  a  ferious  difpofition  among 
the  people,  they  iffued  a  proclama- 
tion a  few  days  previous  to  the  meet- 
ing, ftri&ly  forbidding,  under  the 
fevereft  penalties,  all  the  ufual  po- 
pular marks  of  rejoicing,  upon  any 
public  days  or  occafions  whatever, 
particularly  prohibiting  the  hoifting 
of  flags  upon  fteeples  or  other  places, 
and  the  felling  or  wearing  of  any 
badges  of  difiin&ioD,  efpecially  of 
orange-coloured  cockades,  and  rib- 
bands ;  which  being  a  colour,  they 
obferve,  not  fan&ioned  by  autho- 
rity, could  only  be  worn  from  the 
fpirit  of  party  5  the  delinquents, 
-whether  fellers  or  wearers,  being 
fubje&ed  to  the  heavy  arbitrary  pe- 
nal ties  of  imprifonraent,  corporal  pu- 
nifhment,  and  even  death,  to  be  dif- 
cretionally  inflicted :  encouragement 
was  held  out  to  the  molt  odious  of 
men,  informers  j  and  in  a  degrading, 
arbitrary,  and  probably  injudicious, 
exertion  of  power,  it  was  declared 
that  thofe  who  did  not  inform  mould 
be  found  equally  guilty  for  the  mif- 
prifion,  and  punimed  as  principals. 

tuto^u  *\-fk       Tlie  fa^  at  their 
iri6S        firft   meting    difap- 
'  pointed    the    public, 

when  a  prodigious  crowd  was  alrea- 
dy aflembled,  by  an  adjournment 
to  the  following  day.  On  that 
morning,  to  fix  an  idea  of  the  ma- 
jefty  of  their  fovereign  afiembly,  as  . 
well  as  to  awe  the  people,  the  gar- 
rifon  were  drawn  out  armed,  and 
arrayed  in  their  beft  uniforms,  op*, 
pofite  the  hall  of  the  flatcs.  A 
Crowd  of  three  or  four  thoufand  peo- 
Vol.  XXVIII. 


pie  fhewed  mch*  fttong  marks  of 
difiatisfa&ion,  and  difpofition  to  tu- 
mult, that  the  fixed  bayonets,  and 
firm  conduct  and  countenance  of  the 
foldiers,  were  abfolutely  neceflkry. 
to  keep  them  in  order.  But  a  new 
and  very  peculiar  fource  of  difcord 
remained  ftill  to  be  opened.  A  gate, 
which  derived  its  name  from  the 
fladtholder's  office,  and  the  particu- 
lar ufe  it  was  afligned  to,  pofTefTed 
the  lingular  privilege  (at  leaft  in 
modern  times)  of  never  being  open- 
ed, excepting  when  that  firft  ma- 
giftrate  of  toe  ftate  was  to  pafs 
through  it  upon  public  occafions, 
fuch  as  the  prefent.  The  prefident 
of  the  afTembly,  to  fhew  the  full- 
ness of  power,  and  to  prepare  the 
people  for  fubmiffion  and  acquiefr 
cence  in  all  other  novelties,  ordered 
this  interdicted  gate  to  be  opened, 
and  a  detachment  of  grenadiers 
were  afligned  to  the  important  fer- 
vice.  This  invidious  meafure  was 
beheld  with  the  higheft  indignation 
by  the  people  $  but  the  terror  of 
the  foldiers  weapons,  together  witli 
the  fatisfadton  of  feeing  that  no  at- 
tempt was  made  to  pafs  through 
the  gate,  (the  prevention  of  which 
was  now  made  the  point  of  honour, 
when  the  firft  was  given  up)  ferved 
to  prevent  their  proceeding  to  any 
a&ual  violence. 

The  burghers  of  the  Orange 
party,  confided ng  this  firft  invafion 
of  privilege  as  the  prelude  to  farther 
outrage,  held  a  meeting  in  the 
night,  where,  after  deep  debate,  it 
was  determined  to  prelerve,  at  all 
events  and  hazards,  the .  purity  of 
their  favourite  gate  from .  the  laft 
degree  of  violation.  On  the  third 
morning  the  ftadtholder's  gate  was 
again  opened,  and  matters  were 
conducted  with  a  reafonable  degree 
of  tranquillity  through   the   day: 

[']  .        •  ta»t 


Digitized  by  Vj( 


82]        ANNUALREGI  ST  E  R,  1786. 


but  upon  the  breaking  up  of  the 
ftates  in  the  evening,  the  peniionary 
of  Dort,  whether  through  vanity, 
to  fhew  his  contempt  of  the  ftadt- 
holder,  or  to  try  the  temper  of  the 
people,  while  the  means  of  their 
chartifement  were  at  hand,  ordered 
his  coach  to  be  driven  through  the 
gate.  This  was  the  fignal  of  alarm, 
the  people  immediately  interfered, 
both  in  preventing  the  defign,  and 
in  endeavouring  to  difcharge  their 
fury  upon  the  adventurous  penfion-: 
ary ;  the  riot  was  violent,  and  thofe 
who  were  not  engaged  fhuddered 
for  the  confequences,  nothing  lefs 
than  a  general  matlacre  of  the  un- 
armed populace  being  expected.  In 
this  inftant  of  terror  and  danger, 
the  horfe  guards  rufhed  in  with  the 
utmoft  violence  upon  the  crowd, 
flouriihing  their  fwords  with  ter- 
rible threats,  and  the  mofr.  dread- 
ful parade  of  execution.  In  little 
more  than  a  moment  the  tumultuous 
crowd  were  either  overthrown  by 
the  horfes,  and  lying  in  heaps  upon 
each  other,  or  difperfed  and  flying 
on  every  fide.  Never  was  fo  violent 
a  tumult  i'o  fuddenly  quelled,  ^and 
with  fo  little  mifchief.  Not  a  Angle 
man  was  killed,  nor  a  fingle  w6und 

v  given  with  the  fword ;  the  horfes 
were  the  only  combatants,  and  left 
many  fore  remembrances  of  thejir 
weight,  and  of  the  iron  armour  on 
their  hoofs.  It  was  no  lei's  remark- 
able that  only  a  fingle  prifoner  was 
made,  where  all  lay  at  the  mercy  of 
the  vi&ors.  This  unfortunate  cul- 
prit was  a'fober  tradefman,  the 
mailer  of  a  houfe  and  family :  he 
had  been  fo  avftive  in  the  commence- 
ment of  the  riot  as  to  be  particu- 
larly confpicuous,  which  occafioned 
his  being  early  lVcured*;  and  every 
body  was  in  expectation'  of  his  be- 

*ing  .hanged,  .as  an  example,  the 
Ibilowing  morning.  k    - 


The  conctuft  of  the  troops  upon 
this  occafion  can  never'  be  too  much 
praifed  or  admired,  and  mould  be 
received  and  adopted  as  a  molt.  ex-» 
cell  en  t  model  in  all  cafes  of  fup- 
prefling  civil  commotions.  Had  the 
infantry,-  who  were  quiet  lookers*- 
on,  undertaken  to  quell  this'  riot,' 
the  Slaughter,  from  the  narrownefsf 
of  the  place,  the  clofenefs  of  the 
crowd,  and  the  nature  of  their  wea- 
pons, would  have  been  immenfe  -, 
and  when  broken  and  intermixed 
with  the  populace  (which  would 
have  been  unavoidable)  the  conflict 
muft  have  been  attended  with  lofs 
to  themfelvcs.  Nor  would  the  de- 
ftru&ion  have  been  fmall  to  the 
people,  if  the  cavalry  had  made 
that  cruel  ufe  of  their  fwords  which 
was  fo  entirely  in  their  power,  and 
of  which  they  made  fo  effective  and 
happy  a  difplay.  Whatever  fhare 
may  be  afcribed  to  difcipline  in  this 
excellent  conduft,  no  doubt  can  be 
entertained  but  that  a  much  greater 
was  due  to  the  private  fentiments 
and  difpofition  of  the  troops. 

This  riot,  together  with  the  ge- 
neral ill  temper  of  the  people,  put 
a  ftop  for  fome  time  to  the  delibe- 
rations of  the  itates  of  Holland.  So 
uumy  interceffions  were  made  for 
the  life  of  the  unfortunate  peruke-' 
maker  who  had  been  taken-  up  in 
the  late  tumult,  that  .the  ientence 
of  death  on  him  was  changed  to 
an  order  of  imprifonment  for  20- 
years. 

Jn  the  mean  time,  the  diiTenfionrf 
in  the  city  of  Utrecht  became  fo 
violent,  that  the  ruling  faction  il- 
fued  the  Angularly  arbitrary  decree, 
that  not  more  than  two  perfons 
ihould,  under*  any  pretence,  and 
under  ievere  penalties,  flop  to  con- 
fer in  the  ftreets.  They  were-  not 
Only.in  a  frate  of  hoftility  w  "h  theif 
fellow-citizens,    and   the  flates'  of 

the 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


ftlSTORY   OF    EUROPE. 


[83 


tfce  province,  but  they  flew  in  the 
face  of  their  own  immediate  dele- 
gates, who  declared,  that  in  confi- 
deratioh  of  their  oaths,  and  a  full 
knowledge  that  the  dignities  con- 
ferred on  the  ftadtholder  in  1749 
had  been  granted  by  the  unanimous 
voice  of  all  the  regents  of  that 
time,  as  the  only  means  of  preferv- 
ing  the  nation,  they  could  not  in 
any  manner  concur  in  depriving  him 
of  them  5  although,  if  any  new  re- 
gulation mould,  with  his  own  con- 
tent, and  with  the  fame  unanimity 
be  adopted,  they  fhould  by  00  means 
oppofe  fuch  a  reform,  but  a6t  in 
concert  with  the  Hates  in  general. 
This  moderation  in  their  delegates 
could  produce  no  correfponding  ef- 
fect in  the  conftituents,  who,  de- 
termined to  fupport  their  violence 
by  arms,  hired  foldiers,  and^  pro- 
cured officers  from  all  parts,  and  at 
any  expence,  making  every  poflible 
preparation  at  the  fame  time  to 
withftand  a  fiege  vigoroufly  if  at- 
tacked, as  they  Continually  expect- 
ed. 

-If  the  fubfcriptions  to  the  patri- 
otic funds  (which  were  to  fupport 
the  rtumberlefs  petty  armaments  of 
this  time)  were  really  as  large  as 
represented,  it  would  indeed  be  af- 
ton idling,  confidering  the  heavy 
lofles  which  individuals  as  well  as 
the  republic  had  fuftained  by  the 
,war  with  England,  and  the  fubfe- 
quent  prodigious  expences  and  da*- 
mage  occafioned  by  the  conteft  with 
the  emperor,  firft  in  the  preparations 
for  war,  and  the  overflowing  of  the 
country,  and  laftly  in  the  purchafe 
of  peace,  and  the  reparation  which 
they  were  compelled  to  make  to  his 
'fubjefis  for  their  damages.  It  was 
faid,  that  fubfcriptions  from  indi- 


fion;'and  that  fo  largg  afiim  a* 
100,000  (amounting  to  fomething; 
between  feven  and  eight  thoufand 
pounds)  had  been  fent  without  i 
name  5  ftut  this  laft  was  probably- 
no  more  than  a  lure,  to  excite  a  1i+ 
milar  liberality  from  fuch  an  ex* 
ample.  - 

'in  the  mean  time  the  republic 
was  torn  to  pieces  and  convulfed  in 
all  its  parts  and  members.  Nothing 
could  be  more  deplorable  than  the 
face  of  tumult,  riot,  and  confuIi6n> 
which  every  where  prevailed.  Ma- 
ny of  the  towns  prefented  little  lefs 
than  a  fcene  of  continual  civil  war. 
The  multitude  of  ill -connected  petty 
fovereignties,  of  which  dhe  republic 
is  compofed,  afforded  room  for  a7 
general,  as  well  as  for  particular 
degrees  of  anarchy,  which  could 
not  perhaps  have  been  equalled  un- 
der any  other  form  of  government: 
Nor  has  it  poflibly  been  known  in* 
any  civil  contention^  in  which  reli- 
gion was  not  the  object  of  the  con- 
teft, that  the  animofity  and  malice 
of  the  contending  fa&ions  was  car- 
ried to  fo  extreme  an  excefs  as  in 
the  prefent.  Their  riots  were  ac- 
cordingly, and  perhaps-  it  may  be 
laid,  according  to  the  peculiar  ge- 
nius and  temper  of  the  people^ 
fierce,  cruel,  and  bloody.  Multi- 
tudes of  people  were  faid  to  have 
been  facrificed,  without  count  or1 
enquiry,  in  thefe  tumults,  while  the 
canals  ferved  commodioufly  for  the 
inftant  in  hiding  the  effects  Of  their 
mutual  enormity. 

The  debates  in  the  aflfembly  of 
the.ftafes  of  Holland;  upon  thefub- 
je&  of  reftoring  the  ftadtholder  to* 
his  dignity,  or  at  leaft  to  the  go- 
vernment of  the  Hague,  were  con- 
ducted with  a  degree  of  heat  and 


viduals  of  eight  or  ten  thoufand  flo-  '  vehemence  faid  to  be  unequalle4  in» 
rias  were  common  upon'  this  occa*    the  Dutch  councils.    Every  method 

-    •  [F]  a,  was 


■  -Bisfttizecfby  VjOO( 


*4l       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 

was  accordingly  ufed,  that  the  na- 
•  turc  of  fuch  proceedings  will  ad- 
mit, m  order  to  conceal  the  parti- 
cular* of  what  paired  in  thatatiem- 
b  y  from  the  knowledge  of  the  peo- 
ple. The  count  de  Maillebois,  who 
wag  fuppofed  to  be  the  fecret  mover 
<*  moft,  if  D0t  all,  of  the  harm 
nwafures  adopted  againft  the  ftadt- 
holder, was  now  become  fo  extreme- 
ly odious,  at  leaft  with  one  party, 
that  he  was  very  generally  burnt  in 
effigy  in  thofe  places  where  they 
were  prevalent. 

After  various  debates  upon  the 
lubjed,  the  grand  queftion,  with  re- 
fpect  to  the  command  at  the  Hague, 
was  carried  againft  the  prince  of 
Grange  in  the  aifembly  of  the  ftates 
of  Holland  by  a  (ingle  vote,    the 

July  27th  numDer*  bein£  ten  to 
'  '  nine.  A  proteft  was  im- 
mediately entered  by  the  equeftrian 
order,  as  well  as  by  the  deputies  or 
reprefeutativesof  fome  towiiv,  againft 
this  refohttion,  as  -being^  premature 
and  violent,  a«  well  as  unconftitu- 
tional  and  illegal. 

This  reiblution  was  not  fifcntly 
acquiefced  in  by  the  ftadtholder. 
He  tranfmitfed  a  ftrong  letter  to  the 
ftafces  of  Holland,  in  which,  after 
taking  notice  that  he  could  conli- 
der  this  refolution  as  nothing  lefs 
than  a.  violent  outrage  upon  his  dig- 
nity and  authority,  and  an  ufurpa- 
tion  upon  a  right  which  did  not  ad- 
-  mit  of  being  doubted  $  after  ob- 
serving the  defeel  of  unanimity  a- 
mong  themfelves,  and  the  clofenefs 
of  the  divifion  upon  which  a  quef- 
tion  of  fuch  importance  was  carried; 
he  denies  the  legality  of  any  one 
member  of  the  confederacy  depriv- 
ing him  of  rights  which  had  been 
unanimoutly  conferred  upon  him  by 
the  whole  union:  and,  though  he 
by  no  means  acknowledges  the.right 


even  of  the  whole  union  to  diQ>of- 
fefs  him  of  dignities  and  powers 
which  were  in  the.fulleft  manner 
rendered  hereditary  in  his  family, 
yet,  waving  that  queftion  for  the 
prefent,  he  obferves,  *hat  it  would 
at  leaft  be  neceflary,  in  order  to 
give  any  colour  of  fandion  to  fuch 
a  proceeding,  that  the  retraction 
fhould  be  attended  with  the  fame 
unanimity  which  prevailed  in  the 
donation. 

Though  this  letter  was  confidered 
as  amounting  to  a  defiance  by  the 
moft  violent  of  the  adverfe  faction, 
yet  it  induced  the  ftates  of  Holland 
to  a  re-con  fideration  (perhaps  mere- 
ly for  form)  of  the  late  refolution  ; 
the  refult  of  which  was  only  a  far* , 
ther  confirmation  of  the  meafure, 
by  a  declaration  that  it  was  ftri&ly 
legal,  and  in  all  refpe&s  confonant 
to  the  conftitution,  and  to  the  fpirit 
of  the  general  union. 

The  death  of  the  late  king  of 

Pruflia,   and  the  acceflion  of  the 

preicnt  monarch,  to  whole  filter  the 

ftadtholder  is  married,  could  Jiot  be 

fuppofed  to  weaken  his  intereft  at 

the  court  of  Berlin.     The  new  king 

indeed    did   not  leave    it   long   in 

doubt  what  part  he  was  determined 

to  take  in  favour  of  his  brother-in- 

c     *     a     *aw*    For  he  fcarcely  had 
fcept.  2d.    t.me  tQ  feel  himfelf  weJl 

in  the  throne,  before  he  difpatched 
a  long  letter,  fully  declaratory  of 
his  fentimen'ts,  to  the  ftates-general; . 
and,  to  give  the  greater,  weigh*  to 
them,  it  was  conveyed  by  no  lefs  a 

Eerlbn  than  the  count  de  Goertz, 
is  minifter  of  ftate,  in  the  character 
of  envoy  extraordinary  and  pleni- 
potentiary. 

In  this  nervous  and  fpirited  let-' 
ter  he  refrains  from  entering  into 
ajiv  particular  detail  of  the  injuries  ' 
ottered  to  the  ftadtholder,  referring 

them 


by  Google 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


P* 


them  for  that,  as  well  as  for  his  own 
ientiments  upon  the  fubjecl,  to  cer- 

y  tain  fpecified  letters  or  memorials 
tranfmitted  by  his  uncle  and  pre- 
deceiTor,  both  to  their  high  mighti- 
nefies,  and  to  the  ftates  of  Holland 
and  Weft  Friezeland  ;  every  part  of 
which  he  now,  for  himfelf,  renews 
and  confirms.  He  takes  care  to  re- 
move every  objection  to  his  inter- 
ference, as  being  unwarranted,  in- 
truiive,  or  dictatorial  to  a  fovereign 
flate,  by  fhewing  that  the  long  and 
tried  friendfhip  which  had  for  two 
centuries  fubflfted  between  his  pre- 
deceflbrs  and  the  republic,  would 
even  have  demanded  his  friendly 
and  mediatorial  interpoiition  in  the 
prefent  unhappy  and  dangerous  ftate 
t)f  their  civil  diflenfion's :  that,  ex- 
clufive  of  friendihip,  his  fituation 
as  their  neareft  neighbour,  and  the 
vicinity  of  a  part  of  his  dominions 
to  their  territories,  mult  neceflarily 
prevent  his  being  indifferent  to  any 
violent  or'eifential  change  that  was 

'  attempted  to  be  made  in  the  confti- 
tution  of  the  republic  :  but  that,  in- 
dependent of  the fe  caufes,  the  near 
relation  in  which  he  ftood  with  the 
prince  ftadtholder,  ajid  the  affec- 
tion which  he  bore  for  the  princefs 
his  fifter,  rendered  it  impolfible  that 
he  could  be  unconcerned  in  feeing 
them  degraded  from  their  high  rank 

'and  dignities,  and  the  ftadtholder 
arbitrarily  deprived  of  his  rights 
and  prerogatives. 

He  therefore  ftrongly  but  amir 
cably  prefled  the  ftates  general  to 
ufe  their  powerful  mediation  in  the 
moft  ferious  manner  with  the  ftates 
of  Holland  and  Weft  Friezeland 
for  fettling  the  prefent  differences  -> 
and  to  take  fuch  other  meafures  as 

.  might  appear  neceifary  for  heading 
the  dangerous  pViffenfiohs  fo  glaring- 
ly prevalent,  for  reftoring  the  prince 


to  his  rights,  and  enabling  him  to 
return  withr  honour  and  propriety  to 
the  refumption  of  his  high  offices  at 
the  Hague  :  offering  his  owncoun- 
fel  and  mediation,  if  it  were  necei- 
fary, in  conjunction  with  other  friends 
and  neighbours  of  the  republic,  to 
bring  all  remaining  differences  and 
matters  of  debate  to  an  equitable, 
final,  and  happy  termination,  and 
in  a  manner  that  would  be  equally 
confonant  to  the  honour  and  true  in- 
terefts  ofall  the  parties.  He  farther 
informed  the  ftates,  that  they  were 
to  receive  and  confider  all  commu-' 
nications  from  the  count  de  Goertz 
as  coming<lire6tlv  from  himfelf. 

This  early  clifplay  of  the  new 
king's  character  feemed  to  afford  no. 
fmall  indication,  that  though  the 
great  Frederic  was  no  more,  the 
fpirit  and  vigour  of  his  councils 
were  by  no  means  departed. 

The  ftates  of  five  of  the  provinces 
referred  the  confideration  of  the  king 
of  Pru ilia's  letter  to  the  committee 
for  foreign  a  flairs ;  tyut  thofe  of 
Holland  and  Weft  Friezeland,  per- 
fevering.  in  their  fyftem*  and  bating 
nothing  of  their  ufual  obftinacy, 
declaring  their  adherence  to  the  re- 
folution  of  the  preceding  December, 
againft  the  admilfion  of  any  foreign 
interference  in  the  regulation  of 
their  domeftic  affairs,,  would  pay  no 
attention  whatever  to  the  letter. 

The  court,  of  Verfailles,  confeious 
of  having  the  game  fo  effectually 
in  her  o*'n  hands  as  to  render  aft 
public  intervention  in  the  affairs  of 
Holland,  on  her  fide,  totally  unne- 
cefiarv,  could  have  no  difpofition 
to  admit  the  interference  ot  other 
powers,  whofe  views  and  principles 
ihe  knew  to  be  diametrically  oppo- 
fite  to  her  own.  She  had  accor- 
dingly prefented  to  the  Hates,  lome 
conhderable    time    before,     as    a 

f  F\  §  guarded 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


Zff\       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


guarded  precaution  againft  what 
was  like  to  happen,  a  memorial 
pouched  in  very  equivocal  terms,  in 
which,  after  much  parade  of  the 
French  king's  friendfhip  and  re- 
gards, and  of  hia  attachment  to  the 
fubfifting  alliance  between  them, 
he  declares  his  wifhes  to  fee  thofe 
abufes  reformed,  which  had  occa- 
fioned  internal  di (Ten  (ions  in  the  re- 
public, and  that  he  mould  be  happy 
to  fee  tranquillity  reflored  upon  the 
true  principles  of  its  conftitution  j 
but  that,  without  pretending  to  med- 
dle in  the  internal  government  of. 
the  feven  provinces,  he  would  on 
the  contrary  ufe  his  utmoll  endea- 
vours to  prevent  their  high  mighti- 
nefles  being  troubled  from  without 
as  well  as  from  within. 

The  republican  party  was  now 
become  fo  infolent,  and  their  vio- 
lence fo  extreme,  that  they  feemed 
not  only  tp  eaft  off  all  obedience  to 
their  own  laws,  but  all  regard  to 
thofe  of  nations,  and  all  refped  toj 
foreign  fovereigns.  A  courier  from 
the  court  of  Berlin  to  that  of  Lon- 
don, upon  his  return  was  flopped, 
and  narrowly  efcaped  being  rurri- 
maged,  and  his  difpatches  examined, 
by  the  populace  in  the  town  of 
Woerden.  This  outrage  obliged 
the  count  de  Goertz  formally  to 
demand  a  pafTport  from  the  ftates 
general  for  a  courier  he  was  fend- 
ing with  difpatches  to  the  king  his 
matter. 

The  flates  of  Guelderland,  after 
various  ftrong  remonstrances,  couch- 
ed in  terms  of  great  indignation 
♦,>  *lir»<V»  nf  Holland,  for  the  encou- 
which   they   had   given, 
upport  they  promifed,  to 
tory  or  rebellious  burghers 
towns  of  Hattem  and  El- 
claring  that  fuch  an  undue 
ce  in  their  government, 


and  outrage  offered  to  their  fove-? 
reign ty,"  rauft,  if  perfevered  ifi  on 
repeated,  lead  to  an  immediate  dif- 
folntion  of  the  union,  determined 
at  length  to  remove  this  bone  of 
internal  and  external  contention, 
by  applying  force  as  the  laft  remedy 
for  the  eradication  of  the  evil. 

They  accordingly  paffed  a  writ- 
ten refolution,  tantamount  in  effect 
to  a  commifBon,  charging  the  pripce 
fiadtholder,  as  captain-general,  im- 
mediately  to  fend  a  fufficient  num- 
ber of  troops,  under  the  conduct  of 
an  experienced  officer,  to  thefe  towns, 
with  injunctions  to  continue  there 
'  until  further  orders  5  but  that  if  the' 
inhabitants  were  to  make  any  refi fi- 
ance to  the  performance  of  this  fer- 
vice,  fuch  officer  was  authorized,  in 
fpite  of  all  obflacles,  to  fupport  the 
foyereign  authority  of  their  noble 
mightinefTes,  by  proceeding  to  force 
and  violence  in  the  eftablifhment  of 
thofe  garrifons. 

The  fli\tes  likewife  wrote  to  the 
magiflracies  of  both  towns  (who 
were  equally  difobeyed  and  flighted 
with  tlremfelyes  by  the  turbulent 
burghers)  inclofing  a  copy  of  their 
refolution,  and  requiring  them  to 
give  every  aififtance  in  their  power 
to  the  troops;  and  particularly  to 
exhort  the  inhabitants  to  the  mofl 
docile  fubmiflion  to  all  injun&ions  * 
that  might  come  from  their  altera- 
bly. 

General  Spehgler,  with  four  re- 
giments, and  proper  artillery^  was 
appointed  by  the  fiadtholder  to  this 
fervice,  with  flrict  injunctions,  if 
poffible,  to  avoid  the  lhedding  of 
blood.  The  armed  burghers  of 
Hattem,  being  reinforced  by  as 
many  volunteers  as  money  or  party 
zeal  could  procure  from  different 
quarters,  exhibited  a  great  parade 
of  making,  a  moft  pbltinate  refin- 
ance. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY  OF  EUROPE. 


[87 


ance.  Their  cannon  were  mounted 
on  the  walls  and  works,  and  on  the 
approach  of  the  ftad  folder's  little 
sinny,  as  they  called  the  regular 
forces  by  way  of  contempt,  fired 
ieveral  rounds  of  artillery  with  great 
briiknefs,  but  with  fo  little  judg- 
ment in  the  direction,  as  not  tc  pro- 
duce the  fmalleft  effect.  As  loon 
as  Spengler  arrived  within  a  proper 
ditlance,  he  pointed  his  artillery, 
in  order  to  do  the  leaft  poflible  mif- 
chief,  at  the  chimnies  and  tops  of 
thchouies  only.  Thi*,  however, 
along  with  the  bold  advance  and 
near  approach  of  the  troops,  foon 
produced  the' deli  red  effect;  the 
armed  burghers/  with  their  adhe- 
rents and  auxiliaries,  abandoned 
the  town  5  and  Spengler's  men  en- 
tered at  one  gate,  as  they  were  re- 
tiring through  another.  Elbourg 
was  abandoned  in  the  fame  manner, 
and  with  Hill  lets  trouble. 

As  the  public  papers  were  entire- 
ly in  the  hands  of  the  republicans, 
fo  nothing  could  be  more  ridiculous 
than  the  pompous  and  gafconading 
accounts  publifhed  of  the  paltry 
affair  at  Hattem.  The  armed  burgh- 
ers and  volunteers  were  ^defcribed 
as  inheriting  all  the  valour,  a  ad  all 
the  prowefs,  which  had  ever  been  at- 
tributed to  the  heroic  ages.  The 
contemptible  invading  army  had 
been  repulfed  and  put  to  flight, 
with  aconfi^erable  ilaughterofmeu 
and  officers,  who  were  plainly  dif- 
tinguifhed  as  they  dropped  or  were 
carried  off;  and,  to  give  the  better 
<?elour  to  the  tale,  foine  fmall  lofs 
was  acknowledged  on  their  awn  ride. 
Yet,  in  the  moment  of  victory;  they 
abandoned  all  thefe  advantages, 
merely  in  compliance  with  the  re- 
quisitions of  many  of  their  diitant 
0nd  raoft  relpectable  friends,  who, 
^hudderjng  under  the  apprehenfion 


of  any  wanton  or  needleft  profusion 
of  patriotic  blood,  prefTed  them  to 
referve^tlieir  courage  for  fome  oc- 
cafion  more  worthy  of  it — than  the 
defence  of  their  native  town,  and 
the  protection  of  their  houfes,  pof- 
feifions,  wives,  and.families. 

In  the  fame  ftyle  of  delufion,  no- 
thing could  be  more  fhocking  or 
deplorable  than  the  accounts  which 
they  publifhed  of  the  -enormities, 
the  plunder,  and  cruelties,  com- 
mitted by  the  troops  upon  their 
gaining  pofTefJIon  of  Hattem  and 
Elbourg.  It  was  no  wonder  thafc 
the  public  at  large,  and  efpecially* 
thbfe  at  a  diftance,  fliouKl  have  been 
impofed  on  by  thefe  rcjprefentations, 
when  even  the  itates  of  Guelder- 
land,  notwithftanding  >their  vicinity, 
iwallowed  the  delufion  fo  implicitly, 
that  under  the  double  impreliion'  of 
indignation  at  the  conduct  of  the 
troops,  and  companion  for  the  fup- 
potbd  fufrerers,  they  iilued  a  hatty 
proclamation,  promifing  fully  to  in- 
demnity and  to  grant  adequate  fatis- 
faction  to  all  perfons  who  had  iul- 
tained  lofs  or  injury  from  them.  . 

To  the  difappointment  and  mor- 
tification, however,  of  all  lovers  of 
the  marvellous,  as  well  as  to  the 
great  vexation  of  the  faction  them- 
ielves,  general  Spengler's  detail  to 
his  matters,  the  itates,  of  the  ope- 
rations of  the  troops  under  his  com- 
mand, was  foon  publifhed,  by  whicl) 
it  appeared  that  not  a  Angle  man 
had  been  killed  or  wounded  on 
either  fide  in  the  boafled  action  of 
Hattem ;  and  that  the  difcipline  of 
the  troops  had  been  fo  exact,  and 
their  conduct  fo  laudable,  that  there 
was  not  a  fingle  complainant  from 
either  town  to  appear  againfl  them. 

In,  the  mean  time  the  felf-exiled 
burghers  of  thole  two  towns,  with 
their  armed  confederates,  fudden\y 

[Fj  4  changing 


Z' 


Digitized  by 


881      ANNUAL   R  E  G  I  S  TE  R,  1786. 


changing  their  late  boafting  into 
lamentation,  and,  notwithftanding 
that  the  Hates  of  Guelderland  had 
publiihed  an  amnefty  in  favour  of  all 
who  would  return  to  their  houfes 
within  a  limited  time,  filled  all 
places  with  their  clamours,  on  the 
woeful  detail  of  their  lofles  and  fuf- 
ferings;  the  effcd  of  their  com- 
plaints being  the  more  quickened 
by  the  heavy  burthen  which  they 
proved  to  their  friends,  in  the  vari- 
ous towns  where  they  took  refuge. 

The  taking  of  thefe  two  towns 
was  confidered  or  reprefented  by  the 
adverfe  fa&ion,  not  only  as  the  fig- 
nal,  but  the  actual  commencement 
of  civil  war  1  and  nothing  was  to 
be  heard  but  execrations,  as  well 
a  gain  ft  the,  dates  of  Guel/ires,  as 
the  prince  ftadt  holder.    In  the  pro- 

Jince  of  Holland  efpecially,  the 
lames  feemed  to  be  blown  up  nearly 
to  the  greateft  height  at  which  they 
>vere  capable  6f  arriving.  All  re- 
gard to  forms  was  now  laid  a  fide, 
in  completing  the  depofition  by 
force  of  thole  magiftrates,  fena- 
tors,  and  members  of  the  refpective 
town  councils,  who  were  known  or 
fufpe&edto  be  of  the  oppofite  party. 


Sept.22d%    The  ftates  of  Holknd, 
F  without    regard    to    the 

million  and  prefence  of  the  count 
de  Goertz,  immediately  fufpended, 
for  aa  indefinite  time,  the  prince 
fiadtholder  from  all  the  functions 
appertaining  to  his  office  of  cap* 
tain  general  within  their  province  j 
and  discharged  the  troops  from  that 
part  of  their  military  oath  which 
bound  them  to  obey  his  orders.  At 
the  fame  time  they  recalled  their 
regiments  froraMaeftricht,  and  other 
garriforis  without  the  province,  and 
ordered  a  firong  line  of  troops  to 
be  formed  along  the  inland  frontier 
towards  Utrecht  and  Guelderland,* 
and  magazines  to  be  provided  for 
their  fubfiftence  during  the  winter  j 
general  Van  Ryflel,  their  com- 
mander, being  likewife  ordered  to 
be  in  conftant  force  and  readinefs 
for  fuccouring  and  protecting  the 
city  of  Utrecht,  if  any  attempt 
fhould  be  made  upon  it,  under'  the 
orders  of  the  ftates  of  that  province*- 
who  were  aftembled  at  Amersfortj 
Such  was  the  deplorable  ftate  of  af* 
fairs  in  this  once  great  and  flouriili-. 
ing  republic,  towards  the  clofe  of  Uiq 
year  1786. 


CHAT. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY  OF   EUROPE.         [8* 


CHAP.    V, 

Opening  of  the  third Jeffion  of  parliament.  Amendment  moved  upon  the  addreft  ht 
both  kottfes,  and  negatived  without  a  dtvifion.  Mr  Fox's  obfervathns  on  the  king's 
fpeech—on  the  fiate  of  foreign  alliances— treaty  between  France  ana*  the  Untied 
Provinces — Germanic  league — treaty  with  Rufit a— commercial  treaty  with  France— 
frepofterous  mode  of  conducing  the  public  bufinefs— Irijb  proportions— affairs  of  In- 
dia. Mr,  Pitt's  reply  ;  bis  obfervations  on  Mr.  Fox's  dexterity  in  debate ;  bis  ac- 
fount  of  the  Ruffian  treaty  and  German  confederacy  ;  bis  opinion  refpecling  the  eon* 
neclkn  between  Hanover  and  Great  Britain ;  defence  of  bis  India  bill;  fiourijbing 
fiate  of  the. revenues.  Remarks  by  Mr.  Fox  on  the  minifier's  opinion  cencerning  the 
political  connexion  between  Great  Britain  and  Hanover.  Major  Scott  calls  on> 
Mr.  Burke  to  bring  forward  bis  charges  againft  Mr.  Hafiings.  .  Mr.  Burke  relates 
fn  reply  an  anecdote  of  the  duke  of  Parma.  Grand  debate  on  the  duke  of  Rich- 
mond's propofed  fortification  of  the  dockyards.  Infiruilions  to  the  board  of  land 
and  fea  officers,  and  extracls  from  their  report.  Mr.  Pittfs  motion  and  arguments 
infupport  of  the  plan  propofed ',  as  necej/ary,  as  befi  adapted  to  their \purpofef  as  tend- 
ing to  increafe  {he  rjfefls  of  our  naval  force9  and  to  reduce  the  army.  Amendment 
to  Mr.  Pitt's  motion  by  fdr.  Bafiard  and  Sir  Wtlham  Lemon.  Mr.  Sheridan's 
fpeecb  in  favour  of  the  amendment ;  firft  he  Jbevos  that  the  plan  propofed  mas  dan- 
gerous to  the  eoufiitusion;  be  denies  it  would  reduce  the  fianding  army %  and  if  it 
did j  he  proves  that  in  the  fame  proportion  it  would  increafe  its  power ;  2dly9  be  de- 
nies that  it is  fanftioned  by  the  report  of  the  board  of officers ',  the  extracls  from  the  re- 
port prove  the  members  'were  not  agreed ;  the  report  itfelf  founded  on  hypothetical 
fuggefiions  from  the  mafier  general.  Mr.  Pitt's  motion  rejecled  by  the  cafiing  vote  of 
thefpeaker.  Debate  in  the  houfe  of  lords  on  the  new  claufe  in  the  mutinp  bill  for  fub- 
jetJhrg  officers  by  brevet  to  the  military  law,  amendment  propofed  by  lords  Car li/U  and 
$tormont\  rejecled  on  adivifion\  ttuefiion  fiarted,  whether  an  officer  could  refigm 
bis  commiffion  at  pleajure ;  opinions  of  the  lord  chancellor  and  lord  Loughborough* 


THE  third  fefiion  of  the  pre-  and  the  increafe  of  public  credit, 

fent  parliament  was  opened  informed  his  parliament  that  the  re- 

on  the  24th  of  January  1786,  by  a  fortuitous  which  they  had  laid  before 

fpeech  from  the  throne,  in  which  him,  as  the  baft's  of  an  adjustment 

his  majefty,  after  haying  mentioned  of  the  commercial  intercourfe  be* 

the  amicable   conclufion  to  which  tween   Great   Britain  and  Ireland, 

the  difputes  that  threatened  an  in-  had  been  by  his  direction  recom- 

terruption  to  the  tranquillity  of  Eu-  mended  to  the  parliament  of  that 

rope  had  been  brought,  the  friendly  kingdom,  but  that  no  effectual  ftep 

difpofition  of  foreign  powers  towards  had  hitherto  been  taken  thereupon, 

this  country,  the  extension  of  trade,  which  could  enable  them  to  make 

tbe  improvement  of  the  revenue,  any  further  progrefs  in  thatfelutary 

•  ■  work. 


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90]        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


work.  He  afterwards  called  the 
attention  of  the  houfe  of  commons 
to  the  eftablifhment  of  a  fixed  plan 
for  the  reduction  of  the  national 
tfebt,  a  meafure  which  he  trufted 
the  flourifhing  ftate  of  the  revenue 
would  be  fumcient  to  effect,  with 
CtUe  addition  to  the  public  bur- 
thens. He  concluded  with  faying, 
that  the  vigour  and  refources  of  the 
country,  fo  fully  manifefted  in  its 

Jrefent  ntuation,  would  encourage 
is  parliament  to  give  their  utmoft 
attention  to  every  object  of  national 
Concern;  particularly  to*the  confi- 
deration  ot  fuch  meafures  as  might 
"be  neceffary,  in  order  to  give  fur- 
ther fecurity  to  the  revenue,  and  to 
promote  and  extend,  as  far  as  poili- 
ble,  the  trade  and  general  induftry 
of  his  fubjects. 

An  addrefs  *  in  the  nfual  form 
being  moved  and  read  in  the  houfe 
of  lords,  the  earl  Fitzwilliam  pro- 
pofed  to  omit  that  part  of  it  which 
related  to  the  commercial  negocia- 
tions  with  Ireland ;  firft,  as  nuga- 
tory, it  being  acknowledged  in  the 
fpeech  ^that  nothing  more  could  be 
done  on  the  fubject ;  fecondly,  as 
containing  an  indirect  reflection, 
upon  the  conduct  of  the  parliament 
of  Ireland  ;  and  thirdly,  as  tending 
to  ^revive  the  difcuffion  of  a  mea- 
fure  almofl  universally  reprobated 
in  one  kingdom,  received  with  great 
jealoufy  and  alarm  in  this,  and 
marked  with  the  disapprobation  of  a 
considerable  minority  in  both  houfea 
of  parliament.  An  amendment  to 
the  fame  purpofe,  and  for  the  fame 
reafons,  was  moved  in  the  houfe  of 
commons  by  lord  Surry;   and  al- 


though both  the  addrefles  were  car* 
ried  as  originally  moved,  without 
any  divifion,  yet  the  fpeech  itfeif 
underwent  a  con (ide^able  degree  of 
animadverfion  in  both  houfes,  prin- 
cipally on  account  of  the  vague  and 
genera)  terms  in  which  it  was  word-* 
ed,  and  the  fcanty  information  it 
held  out  to  parliament. 

As  the  debate  on  the  addrefs  fo 
his  majefty  on  the  firft,  day  4f  the 
fefiion,  is  always  conlidered  as  open 
to  any  general  obfervations  on  the 
ftate  of  the  nation,  Mr.  Fox  took 
this  opportunity  to  enter  at  large 
into  the  fituation  in  which  we  ftood 
with  refpect  to  the  feveral  powers  of 
Europe.  He  ftrongly  cenlured  the 
impolitic  conduct  of  his  majefty *s 
minifters,  in  not  cultivating  conti- 
nental alliances,  and  their  negli- 
gence in  being  perpetually  behind- 
hand in  all  their  foreign  negotia- 
tions. It  was  owing,  he  laid,- to  their 
criminal  mifconduct  that  the  houfe 
of  Bourbon  had  got  the  ftart  of  us 
in  their  late  treaty  with  the  United 
Provinces,  and  that  our  ambaftador 
at  the  Hague  had  been  expoied  tot 
the  ridicule  of  prefenting  an  ufelefs 
memorial  to  the  ftates  on  the  fub-  . 
ject,  after  the  above  treaty  had  beea 
actually  ratified.  This  treaty,  which, 
the  court  of  Verfaillcs  had  perfuad- 
ed  the  United  States  to  enter  into, 
(rafhly  indeed  he  thought,  and  inw 
politically  on  the  part  of  the  latter) 
and  which  effectually  fecured  Hol- 
land in  itsinterefts,  he  considered  as 
highly  dangerous  and  hoftile  to  this 
country,  in  as  much  as-  it  combined 
France,  Spain,  and  Holland,  three 
xof  the  molt  powerful  maritime  pow- 


*  The  addrefs  in  the  houfe  of  lords  was  moved  by  the  earl  of  Morton,  and  fe*  x 
conded  by  lord  Fortefcue;  in  the  houfe  of  commons  it  was  moved  by  Mr.  Smyth1, 
member  for  Promfret,   and  feconded  by  Mr.  Addington,  member  for  the  De- 
files.. 


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HISTORY  OF  EUROPE, 


t»* 


ers   of  Europe,   ip  a  confederacy 
againii  Great  Britain. 

In    order  to  counterbalance  the 
mifchievbus  tendency  of  this  confe- 
deracy,   a    more  clofe   connection 
with  the  courts  o£  Peteriburg  and 
Vienna  feemed  naturally  to  fugged 
itfelf ,     But  wbat  had  been  the  con- 
duct of  his  majefry's  minifters  ?  The 
emperor,  who  was  the  mo#  able,  as 
well  as  the  moft  likely  to  cut  out 
work  for  France,  in  cafe  of  a  future 
war,    had    been    imprudently    dif- 
gufted  by  the  part  which  the  king, 
as   elector  of  Hanover,  had  taken 
with^refpect  to  the  electorate  of  Ba- 
varia,  and  by  his  joining  with  the 
Germanic  princes  in  a  league,  found- 
fed  on  the  plea  of  preferving  the  li- 
berties of  the  empire.    He  defired 
the  houfe  to  recollect,  that  in  all  her 
wars,  France  had  been  mod  erabar- 
rafTed  by  her  Continental  fituation, 
and  the  dread  of  an  attack  from  the 
neighbouring  powers ;  the  whole  of 
-    her  policy  -therefore  had  been  di- 
rected to  engage  them  In  fuch  a 
manner  as  to  fecure  their  neutra- 
lity,  and  by  that  means  free  her 
from  the  burthen  or*  maintaining  a  > 
ruinous  frontier  eftablifhment ;  and 

•  hence  it  was,  that  in  her  late  conteit 
with  Great  Britain,  Ihe  had  been  ena- 
bled to  aid  her  refources  by  a  reduc- 
tion of  her  army  in  the  mid  ft  of  a 
war,  and  to  apply  the  lavings  to  the 
^ncreafe  of  her  maritime,  ftrength. 
And  what  were  We  to  expect,  in  a 
future  war?  She  was*fafe  by  the 
family  compact  on  theiidepf  Spain  ; 
fhe  had,  by  the  late  treaty,  fecured 
Holland  in  her  intereft.  The  em- 
peror (whofe  defigns,  notwithftand- 

*  ing  the  treaties  fubfifting  between 
them,  and  all  the  endearing  bonds 
of  family  connection,  it  was  well 
Jtnown  (he  (till  watched  with  jealous 
^pprehenfions)  was  the  only  power 


in  Europe  ihe  had  any  cauft  to 
dread..  France  therefore  had  no* 
thing  to  wifh  for  before  the  lat* 
league  was  made,  but  that  ibtn+ 
drcumftanoes  mould  happen  to  ere* 
ate  a  jealoufy  and  diilike  of  Great  * 
Britain  in  the  emperor.  Tbat,ch> 
cuniftance  we  had  ourfelves  provide 
ed ;  by  the  effects  of  that  league  w* 
had  fecured  the  frontier  of  France 
gratis  at  a  moment  when  dm 
would  have  paid  any  price  for  it,  a* 
was  apparent  from  the  great  funis 
ihe  had  expended  in  bringing  about 
the  peace  between  the  United  Pro- 
vinces and  the  emperor.  The  moft 
ianguine  dreamer  of  national  good 
fortune  could  not  have  pictured  to 
himfelf  the  poffibility  of  fuch  a  for- 
tunate event. 

With  refpect  to  Ruffta,  a  crifi* 
had  occurred  two  years  ago,  of 
which  this'  country  ought  to  have 
taken  advantage,  and  which  he 
himfelf  had  at  the  precrfe  moment 
pointed  out  in  that  houfe:  the  mo- 
ment to  which  he  alluded  was  that 
when  the  emprefs  of  Ruiha  had  fet- 
tled her  differences  with  the  Porte 
on  the  fubject  of  the  Crimea,  whea 
overtures  of  the  moft  advantageous 
nature  were  made  to  the  pritifh 
court.  At  the  feme  time,  though 
he  was  convinced  that  the  beft  op* 
portunity  for  treating  with  Ruiha 
had  been  loft,  yet  he  expreffed  his 
fatisfactioo  at  having  heard,  from 
.good  authority,  that  a  treaty  ^Waa 
then  actually  negociating,  and  in  a 
fair  way  of  being  concluded. 

Mr.  Fox  next  adverted  to  the  ae* 
gociation  for  a  commercial  treaty, 
which  was  then  on  the  point  of  be* 
ing  opened  at  Paris.  He  gave  a 
decifive  opinion  againft  the  policy 
of  fuch  a  meafure ;  appealing  to  the 
experience  of  former  times,  which, 
he  laid,  proved  that 'this  nation  had 

grown 


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9»]         ANNUAL   REG  I  St  E  R,  178G. 


grown  great*  profperons,  and  flou- 
rishing, from  the  moment  that  She 
quitted  all  commercial  connexions 
with  France.  The  felection  of  a 
distinguished  member  of  opposition, 
whofe  knowledge  of  commercial 
affairs  had  given  no  fmall  trouble  to 
the  minifler  in  the  preceding  fef- , 
lion,  for  the  negociation  of  this 
treaty,  and  the  Angularity  of  the 
time  of  its  commencement,  were  the 
objects  of  much  pointed  raillery. 
By  the  articles  of  the  peace  of  Ver- 
failles,  a  treaty  of  commerce  was 
to  have  been  fettled  between  this 
country  and  France  on  or  before 
the  firft  of  January  1786,  and  from 
that  day  all  negociation  wa*  to  be 
at  an  end :  but  now  that  the  time 
of  negociation  was  paft,  the  board 
of  trade  were  bufy  with  the  fobjeft, 
and  were /about  to  ferid  out  a  nego- 
ciator.  The  fame  unfeemly,  but 
more  criminal  mifmanagement,  had 
marked  their  conduct  refpecting  the 
treaty  between  France  and  Holland, 
againft  the  conclusion  of  which  fir 
James  Harris  was  directed  to  pre- 
fent  a  memorial  to  the  States,  but 
unfortunately  feveral  days  after  it 
had  been  ratified.  The  like  pre- 
posterous arrangement  of  public  bu- 
finefs  had  alio  taken  place  in  the 
projected  fettlement  with  Ireland  5 
*when,  after  the  commercial  propo- 
rtions had  been  tranfmitted  by  his 
majefty's  fervants  from  that  coun- 
try, and  juft  as  the  Britifh  parlia- 
ment was  called  upon  to  vote  them, 
the  board  of  tra^e  proceeded  to  en- 
quire whether  the  propositions  were, 
in  fact,  fuch  as  were  Sit  for  either 
country  to  accept. 

Upon  this  fubject,  Mr.  Fox  re- 
marked with  fome  triumph,  the  flat 
contradiction  which  the  event  had 
given  to  the  arguments  ufed  by  the 


minister  and  his  Supporters,  npon 
the  propriety  of  firft  taking  the 
fenfe  of  the  Irifh  parliament,  in  or- 
der to  afcertain  their  expectations, 
before  the  Englifh  parliament  wa) 
called  upon  to  confider  the  fubjeft. 
He  put  the  chancellor  of  the  ex- 
chequer in  mind  of  the.  confidence 
with  which  he  had  again  and  again 
told  the  houfe,  respecting  the  rela- 
tive Situation  of  the  two  countries, 
that  it  nvas  impojfijle  things  could  re- 
main as  they  were  ;  and  defired  to 
know,  what  was  the  meaning  of  that 
part  of  his  majeity's  fpeech  which 
related  to  this  Subject,  if  it  was  not 
that  things  mujt  remain  as  they  toere  ? 

Mr.  Fox,  finally,  took  a  concife 
view  of  the  affairs  bf  India,  infill- 
ing principally  on  the  alarm,  the 
difguft,  and  indignation,  which  cer- 
tain regulating  claufes  in  Mr.  Pittas 
bill  had  jufily  occasioned  amongft 
the  company's  fervants  in  India  $ 
and  upon  the  extraordinary  orders^ 
fent  out  by  the  board  of  con.troul  for 
reftoring  to  the  Nabob  of  Arcot  the 
collection  and  management  of  the 
revenues  of  the  Carnatic,  which  lord 
Macartney,  from  the  conviction  of 
the  neceflity  of  taking  them,  not -out 
of  his  hands,  but  out  of  the  hands  of 
his  agents,  Britiili  ufurers,  who  plun- 
dered the  natives  and  robbed  him, 
had  vefted  in  the  company.  It  was 
owing,  he  faid;  to  this  order,  that 
lord  Macartney  had  resigned  hi9 
government,  and  that  the  company 
had  been  deprived  of  the  fervices 
of  that  able  and  uncorrupt  noble* 
man. 

When  Mr.  Fox  Tiad  finished,  the 
chancellor  of  the  exchequer,  after 
a  Short  paufe,  role  and  faid,  he 
waited  to  fee  if  any  member  had 
objections  to  make  to  the  address, 
as  the  right  hon.  gentleman  who 


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HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


fpoke  kft  had  certainly  made  none. 
He  could  not  avoid  bearing  tefti- 
monjr  to  that  peculiar  and  almoft  in- 
junctive' dexterity  with  which  that 
gentleman  was  enabled,  on  all  oc- 
calions,  to  leave  out  of  the  dif- 
cuffion  foch  parts  of  the  fubje&  as 
Were  unfavourable  to  him ;  and  he 
had  on  the  prefent  occanon  an  op- 
portunity of  equally  admiring  a  fi- 
milar  talent  in  him,  of  introducing, 
however  foreign  and  unconnected, 
fuch  matter  as  he  expected  would 
be  favourable.  He  did  not  mean, 
however,  to  follow  him  in  thole  de- 
viations from  the  fubject  The 
right  hon.  gentleman  had  afiumed 
the  liberty  of  fpeaking  of  foreign 
politics  without  reftraint,  on  the 
ground  of  his  not  being  a  minifter ; 
and  he  for  his  part  fhould  avail 
himfelf  of  the  delicacy  and  caution 
requilite  in  that  character,  and 
fhould  not  fuffcr  himfelf  to  be  di- 
verted from  it. 

Mr.  Pitt  then  acquainted  the 
houfe,  that  the  treaty  with  the  em- 
prefs  of  Rulha  was  in  a  Hate  of  great 
forwardnefs,  and  he  had  every  rea- 
fon  to  hope  would  be  completed  in 
fuch  a  manner  as  to  give  general 
fatisfa&ion.  With  refpe&  to  the 
Germanic  confederacy,  it  was  a 
roeafure,  he  faid,  with  the  merits  or 
demerits  of  which  his  majefty's  mi- 
niilers  had  no  concern ;  and  he  de- 
fired  to  have  it  underftood,  that 
Great  Britain  was  by  no  means 
committed  by  any  league  lately 
entered  into  by  the  elector  of  Ha- 
nover, but  was  in  the  prefenT  in- 
ftance,  what  ihe  always  ought  to 
be,  perfectly  unconnected  with  the 
politics  of  that  electorate.  He  was 
clear  and  .explicit  upon  this  point. 
Accident,  he  faid,  had  placed  the 
fovereignty  of  that  country  and  of 
this  in  the  fame  hands;  but  it  by 


[93 


no  means  followed  that  the  interdbr . 
of  each   muft   necefTarily   be   the 
lame,  though  perhaps  it  might  be  for 
their   mutual   advantage  to   make, 
their  interefts  as  rcconcileable  to 
each  other  as  poffible.     He  pointed 
out  the  inconfiftvjncy  of  Mr.  Fox's  > 
apprehenlions  of  our  being  involved  * 
in  difficulties  through  the  means  of 
his  majefty's  German  territories,  and 
yet  his  expecting  that  the  admini-  . 
ftration  of  thofe  territories  fhould  be,, 
fubordinate  to,   and  regulated  by,v 
the  minifters  of  Great  Britain ;  as  if* 
that  very  circumftance  would  not ' 
bind  this  country  on  all  occafions  to 
affiit  and   protect   the   electorates  • 
whereas   the  only  way  for  Great 
Britain  to  avoid  embroiling  herfelf 
in  quarrels  for  Hanover,  was  by  our  : 
government  being  kept,  as  much  as  - 
poffible,  independent  of  Hanoverian  : 
politics. 

He  next  adverted  to  Mr.  Fox'a 
*  remarks  on  the  affairs  of  India,  and  . 
defended  the  obnoxious  clauiein  the- 
India  bill  againft  the  invectives  with . 
which  it  had  been  treated,  as  .mili- 
tating againffc  the  trial  by  juries. 
He  contended,  that  there  might  be 
tribunals  eftablilhed  in  certain  cafes 
that  would  be  found  to  anfwer  e- 
qually   all  the  purpofes   of,  public 
juftice  j  and  he  conlidered  the  pre-r 
fent  as  relembling  in  its  conftitu- 
tion  the  belt  fort  of  fpecial  jury,  and  * 
as  totally  exempt  from  the  imputa-  • 
tion  of  hardthip,  (ince  no  man  be*  ", 
came  fubjeclt  to  it  but  by  his  own  - 
choice.     With  refpe&  to  the  orders 
relative  to  the  nabob  of  Arcot,  he  v 
remarked,   that  though  the  policy 
of  tbe  meafure  was  with  lord  Ma- 
cartney, yet  the  good  faith  of  the 
nation  required  that  the  facrinc© 
fhould  be  made. 

Having  followed  Mr.  Fox  through 
theie  parts  of  his  fpeech,  he  took  . 

notice 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


9*1  ANNUAL  REGISTER,  17*6. 


notice  of  the  contemptuous  manner 
he  had  treated  that  part  of  his  ma- 
jefty*s  fpeech  which  refpe&ed  the 
flourifhing  ftate  of  our  finances.  He 
was,  however,  glad  to  find  that  he 
had  changed  his  fentiments  a  little 
fince  the  kft  feflion,  and  that  in- 
ftead  of  the  great  deficiency  he  had 
then  foretold,  he  had  now  declared 
that  no  perfon  could  have  ever 
doubted  but  there  muft  be  fame  fur- 
plus.  He  then  declared,  that  it1 
would  fhortly  appear,  that  the  fur- 
plus  was  confidferable  and  impor- 
tant. 

He  laftly  turned  to  Mr.  Fox's 
oWervations  upon  the  fubject  of  Ire- 
land, and  condemned  in  the-ftrong- 
eft  terms  the  impropriety  of  fpeak- 
ing  on  a  fubjeft  of  fnch  delicacy  in 
the  fmguarded  and  inflammatory 
manner  they  had  juft  heard.  He 
recapitulated  the  arguments  ufed  in 
the  laft  feflion  in  defence  of  thofe 
tneafures;  and  concluded*  with  la- 
menting their  failure,  and  expreff- 
ing  his  fincere  regret,  that  while 
this  country  had  to  contemplate  the 
prefent  profperous  ftate  of  her  af- 
fairs, and  the  pleafing  profpeft  be- 
fore her,  fhe  had  not  been  able  to 
extend  the  bleflings  ftill  further,  by 
communicating  thofe  of  her  com- 
merce to  the  lifter  Jringdom. 
-  Mr.  .Rift  idea  that  Great  Bri- 
tain was  not  committed  by  treaties 
made  by  the  king,  as  elector  "of 
Hanover,  -was  ridiculed  by  Mr.  Fox 
with  great  fuccefs.  He  put  a  va- 
riety of  pafes,  in  fome  of  which  the, 
fovereign  might,  with  one  part  of 
his  forces,  endeavour,  to  fuppoft  a 
particular  caufe,  and  with  the  other 
attempt  to  pull  it  down  $  in  others, 
Great  Britain  might  be  called  on  to 
a&  againft  the  ele&orate,  and  lend 
a  hand  to  ftrip  their,  king  of  his  he- 
reditary dominions  j  nay,  a  Britifh 


army  might  be  dire&ed  to  a  A  ho£ 
tilely  agaitrft  troops,  led  in  perfon 
by  their  fovereign,  as  elefibolp  o# 
Hanover. 

Before  the  houfe  rofe,  Major 
Scott  (member  for  Weft  Looe,  and 
agent  to  the  late  governor  general 
of  Bengal)  observing  Mr.  Burke  in 
his  place,  begged  leave  to  remind 
the  houfe  that  Mr.  Haftings  had 
been  arrived  in  'England  fome 
months ;  and  he  therefore  called  up- 
on that  gentleman  to  produce  the 
charges  which  he  had  pledged  him- 
felf  in  the  preceding  feflion  to  bring 
forward  againft  Mr.  Haftings,  and 
to  fix  the  earlieft  day  poflible  for  the 
difcuffion  of  them.  Mr.  Burke  re- 
plied to  the  major,  by  relating  an 
anecdote  of  the'great  duke  of  Par- 
ma^  who,  being,  challenged  by 
Henry  the  Fourth  of  France  "  to 
bring  his  forces  into  the  open  field, 
and  inftantly  decide  their  difputes ;" 
anfwered  with  a  Xmile,  "  that  he 
knew  very  well  what  he  bad  to  do, 
and  was  not  come  fo  far  to  be  direct- 
ed by  an  enemy." 

The   firft    obje&   of      p, 
importance  that  engage  #    "'* 

ed  the  attention  of  parliament  in" 
the  prefent  felfion,  was  a  meafure 
which  originated  with  the  duke  of 
Richmond,  the  mafter-general  of  the 
ordnance.  It  was  a  plan  for  forti- 
fying the  dock-yards  at  Portfmouth 
and  Plymouth. 

The  houfe  of  commons  had  in  the 
preceding  feflion  exprefled  their  un- 
Willi ngnefs  to  apply  any  part  of  the 
public  money  for  this  purpofe,  be-.1 
fore  they  were  made  acquainted 
with  tbcopinions  of  fuch  perfons  as 
were  beft  able  to  decide  concerning 
the  utility  and  propriety  of  ftich  a' 
meafure.  In  coniequence  of  Nthis 
intimation,  a  board  of  military  and 
naval  officers  was  appointed'  by  the 

king, 


■ 


HISTORY  OF    EUROPE. 


t95 


king,  with  the  matter  general  of  the 
ordnance  as  their  prefident ;  and  the 
proposed  plan  of  fortifications  was 
referred  to  them  for  their  opinions 
and  advice.  After  they  bad  invef- 
ti gated  the  fubject,  and  had  made 
their  report  thereon,  the  plans  re- 
commended were  laid  before  a  board 
of  engineers  to  make  an  eft i mate  of 
the  expences  neceflary  to  cany  them 
into  execution. 

This  eitimate,  which  amounted  to 
no  lefs  a  fam  than  760,0971.  Mr. 
Pitt  laid  before  the-  houfe  on  the 
_,  f*    pi  -      10th  of  February  1786, 

-,86     the  ^y on  which  thc 

*'  reft  of  the  ordnance  ef- 

timates  were  brought  forward ;  and 
it  was  originally  intended  by  Mr. 
Pitt  that  it  fhould  be  debated  and 
decided  upoa,  together  with  the 
latter  eftimates,  as  a  mere  collateral 
queftion.  Lieutenant-general  Bur- 
goyne,  who  was  one  of  the  board  of 
officers  that  made  the  report,  ex- 
-preffed  his  defire,  that  before  the 
bufinefs  was  further  proceeded  up- 
on, {p  much  both  of  the  report  it- 
felf,  and- of  the  inftru&ions  upon 
which  it  was  founded,  as  could  be 
made  public  with  lafety  to  the  date, 


mould  be  laid  upon  the  table  of  the 
houfe  of  commons.  The  reafon  al- 
ledged  by  him  was,  that  the  houfe 
might  otherwife  unwarily  be  led  to 
think  that  the  report  fan&ioned  the 
plan  of  fortifications  propofed,  more 
tnan  it  really  did. 

In  fupport  of  this  mode  of  pro* 
ceeding,  Mr.  Sheridan,  —  .  wj:., 
on  the  16th  of  Febru-  Feb'  ,6tbt 
ary,  moved  "  for  a  copy  of  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  board  of  naval 
and  military  officers,  and  of  rack 
parts  of  their  inftru&ions,  and  of 
their  report,  as  his  majefty's  difcre- 
tion  might  deem  proper  to  be  made 
public,  with  perfect  contingency  to 
the  fafety  of  the  ftate ;"  but  as  the 
board  in  queftion  bad  been  confti- 
tuted  by  circular  letters  from  tho 
king,  without  any  official-  com  mi  f- 
fion  or  appointment,  Mr.  Pitt  fub- 
ftituted  another  motion,  the  fame  in 
effect  as  the  foregoing,  \?ut  more 
conformable  to  the  fact,  which  paus- 
ed unanimoufly. 

Thefe  papers  *  being  laid  before 
the  houfe,  Mr.  Pitt,  on  «  .  ... 
the  27th  of  February,  Jfcft'  *'**' 
introduced  the  meafure  in  the  form 
of  a  general  refolution,  to  the  fol- 
lowing; 


*  As  the  inftru&ions  tranfmittcd  to  the  board,  and  the  extracts,  from  their  re- 
port, are  neceflary  for  the  elucidation  of  the  following  debates,  we  have  thought 
proper  to  infert  them  here. 

GEORGE  R. 
Inftru&ions  for  our  right  trufty  and  right  entirely  beloved  coufin  and  counfefior 
Charles  Duke  of  Richmond,  Lenox,  and  Aubigny,  Matter  General  of  our  Ord« 
nance,  whom  wr  have  thought  fit  (hall  he  Prefident  of  a  Board  of  Land  and  Sea 
Officers,  appointed  under  our  royal  authority,  to  inveftigate,  and  report  to  us  oh 
the  proper  i'yftem  of  defence,  and  on  thc  expediency  and  efficacy  of  the  propolcd 
plans  for  better  fecuring  our  dock  yards  at  Portlmouth  ami  Plymouth.  Given 
.  at  our  Court  at  St.  James's,  thc  thirteenth  day  of  April  17S5,  in  the  twenty- 
fifth  year  of  our  reign. 

UPON  the  receipt  of  thefe  inftru&iont,  yon  are  to  give  notice  to  the  membeffc 
earned  in  the  inclofed  lift,  of  thc  day  on  which  they  are  to  afiemble  at  Portimodth, 
and  fix  the  hour  and  place  where  they  arc  to  atoet* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


96]        ANNUAL    REGISTJBR,  1786. 

lowing  effect :  «  Tnat  it  appears  to  "  the  moft  (Economical  principles^  ' 

'"  this  houfe,  that  to  provide  efFec-  '*  and  requiring  the  finallefi.  nura- 

•r  tually  for  fecuring  his  rnajefty's  "  fcer  of  troops  poflible  to  aufwer 

"  dock-yards    at   Portfmquth  and  i€  the  purpofe  of  fuch  fecurity,  is  an 

**  Plymouth,  by  a  permanent  fyf-  •'  eflential  object  for  the  fafety  of 

fr.  tem  of  fortification,  founded  on  "  the  ftate,    intimately  conne&ed 

'/  with 

As  foon  as  feven  of  our  faid  land  officers,  and  five,  of  our  faid  tea  officers  are  aA 
fembled,  they  are  to  proceed  to  bufinefs,  and  to  adjourn  from  time  to  time  as  they 
ihall  fee  occafion. 

You  are  to  appoint  feme  intelligent  officer  to  aft  as  fecretary,  who  is  regularly 
to  enter  in  a  book:  the  proceedings  of  the  board. 

In  cafe  of  difference  of  opinion,  the  reafons  for  fuch  difference  are  to  be  ftated* 
cither  jpintly  or  feparately, ,  and- are  to  be  figned  by  each  member  preferit. 

The  matters  treated  of,  and  the  opinion  of  the  members,  are  not  to  be  divulged 
without  our  royal  permiflion. 

As  the  inquiries  neceffary  to-be  made,  to  enable  the  board  to  give  a  well-in- 
formed opinion  on  this  important  fubject,  mult  branch  out  into  a  variety  of  mat- 
ter, we  have  directed  that  they  mould  be  arranged  under  fepafl&te  heads  5  which 
.have  been  accordingly  prepared  for  this  purpofe,  and  are  hereunto  annexed.  On 
thefe  the  board  are  to  report  their  opinion  to  us. 

Under  each  head  is  added  a  let  o{  more  minute  and  detailed  queftions  and  obfer- 
vaki©n8.  The  anfwers  which  the  boards  will  give  to  them  will  form  the  bafis  of 
their  more,  general  conclufions.  Thefe  queftions,  with  the  anfwers,  as  well  as 
thefe  inftructions,  the  feparate  heads,  and  the  report,  are  to  be  entered  in-a  book, 
containing  the"  proceedings  of  the  boarcl  j  which  are  alio  to  be  laid  before  us,  that 
We  may  be  able  at  any  time  to  refer  to  the  grounds  on  which  their  opinions  have 
been  formed, 

-  If  any-other  matter,  not  contained  under  thofe  heads  or  queftions,  mould  occur, 
and  .appear  to  the  board  to  throw  more  light  on  this  fubject,  they  will  add  it  to 
their  report,  with  any  farther  observations  they  may  think  proper  to  fubmit.to  our 
conlideratjoDu  - 

The  firft  part  of  the  fubject  referred,  to  the  investigation, ©f  the  hoan}  is,  in  ge- 
neral terms,  the  proper  fyftem  of  defence  for  Portfmouth  and  Plymouth  ^  which 
will  naturally  lead  them  to  confider,  whether  a  iyftem  of  naval  defence  alone ;  a 
fyftem  of  land  defence,  from  troops  alone  j  or  a  fyftem  of  naval  and  land  defence 
combined^  can  be  relied  On  for  the  protection  of  the  dock-yards  of  Portfmouth  and, 
Plymouth  j  6r  whether  fortifications  are  neceffary  :  If  they  are,  the  fecond  ,parr  of 
the  fubject  referred  to  this  board,  viz.  the  expediency  arid  efficacy  of  the  propofed 
plans,  will  next  require  their  attention. 

But  before  they  can  agree  t>n  any  fyftem  of  defence,  it  will  be  neceffary  for 
them  to  agree  op  the.  nature  and  extent  of  the  attack  againft  which  it  is  to  be  cal- 
culated,' and  on  the  circumftances  to  which  the  kingdom  may  be  reduced  by  the 
events  of  war,  when  called  upon  to  defend  its  dock- yards. 

Note.-*  (Then  follow  fix  data,  ftating  circumftances  that  may  prevent  the  fleet 

from  affording  effectual  protection  to  the  dock-yards,  fhe  force  of  the  enemy 

againft  which  it  may  be  prudent  to  guard,  the  number  and  fort  of  troops  that 

'     may  be  had  for  the  defence  of  thefe  places,  and  the  time  it  may  require  to 

collect  the  ftrength  of  the  country  trom  other  parts  of  the  kingaom.     Thefe 

m     £x  data  are*  omitted,  becaufe  the  matter  they  contain  is  not  proper  to  be  dU 

•  vulged,  and  becaufe  the  board  eftablifhed  two  new  data  in  place  of  the  two 

Jirft,  and  confiderably  varied  two  of  the  olher$.) 

The 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


§97 


**  with  the  general  defence  of  the 
^kingdoms  and  neeeffary  fop  ena- 
«  blin#  the  fleet  to  ac*  with  full 
"  vigotfr  attdi  effe&  &r  the  protec- 
**  tion  of  commerce,  the  fbpport  of 
"  our  diftaot  poffeffionsy  aod<  the 


"  profecutjon  of  oflfenliver  •opetti- 
^  tlons,  in  any  war  in  which  the  na- 
"  tioii  may  hereafter  be  engaged." 
This  mode  of  debating  and  dif- 
pofing  of  the  qoelbon,  he  laid  he  had 
deviled,  aa  beft  calculated,   in  his 

opinion, 

\'( 

The  board  wilTvary  or  add  to  thefe  data  as  they  (hall  fee  occafion. 

The  heads  and  queftions  under  them  will  bed  explain  the  manner  in  which  the 
board  is  to  proceed  in  applying  thefe  data. 

We  have  ordered  that  iiich  naval  afliftance  as  jhay  be  wanted  at  the  ports  mall 
be  given;  and  that  fuch  engineers  and  artillery  officers  as  the  board  may  wifti  to 
examine,  (hall  attend  them;  they  will  alfo  have  the  proper  plan* and  ftiFveys'laid 
before  them.  • 

It  will  be  neceflary  for  the  naval  officers  to  examine  the  fhores,  as  well  as  for 
the  land  officers  to  ftudy  the  country,  which  muft  undoubtedly  take  uptime's 
but  we  hope  that  the  board  will  be  able  to  make  their  Report  by  the  nrft  week  in 
June.  '  .  ^  ■    *  . 

With  refpe&  to  calculations  of  expence,  or  making  o\jt  plans  upon  any  ideas 
tfiatraay  be  propofed,  the  board  will  give  their  directions  for  this  purpofe,  either  to 
the  engineer  on  the  f|>ot,  or  to  the  committee  of  engineers  at  the  Tower,  as  they 
fliall  fee  occafion  j  and  their  reports  are  to  be  entered  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
board. 

As  accurate  estimates  can  only  be  made  on  works  which  in  every  particular 
are  finally  fettled,  and  upon  detailed  drawings  and  fe&ions  of  them,  fuch  computa- 
tions as  may  give  a  general  idea  of  the  probable  amount  of  the  expence  will  be 
fufficient.  .  ,        G.  R. 

Extracts  from  the  report  made  to  his  majefty  by  t&$  board  of  land  and  fei  officers, 
appointed  by  his  majefty  to  invefti^ate  and  report  on  the  proper  fyftem  of  de- 
fence, and' on  the  expediency  and  e&cacy  of  the  propofed  plans  for  bttter  fecur-' 
ing  the  dock-yards  at  Fortlmoufch  and  Plymouth,  bearing  date  the  24th  day  of 
June  1785* 

MEMBERS  Prefent. 
At  Portsmouth.  At  Plymouth. 

Gen.  IX  of  Richmond,  Pref.     Gen.  D,  of  Richmond,  Pref. 


V.  Ad.  Barrington, 
Lt.  Gen.  Sir  Guy  Carleton, 
'       Lt.  G.  Sir  Will.  Howe, 
Lt.  G.  Lord  Geo.  Lenox, 
Lt.  G-  Burgoyne, 
Lt.  G.  Earl  Percy, 
Lt.  G.  Earl  Comwallis, 
X.t.  G.  Sir  David  Lindfay, 
Lt.  G.  Sir  Charles  Grey, 
Major  G.  Pattifon, 
Major  G.  Cleaveland, 
Rear  Ad.  Lord  Hood,' 
Major  G.  Bramhrjro, 
Major  G.  Green, 
Major  G.  Roy, 
Major  G.  Garth, 

Vol.  XXVIU. 


V.  A.  Barrington, 
Lt,  Gen.  Sir  Guy  Carleton, 
Lt.  Qen.  Sir  Will.  Howe, 
Lt.  G,  Earl  Cprnwallis, 
Lt.  G.  Sir  David  Lindfay, 
Vice  Ad.  Millbanke, 
Lt.  Qen.  Sir  tharles  Grey, 
Major  G.  Pattifon, 
Major  G.  Cleaveland, 
Rear  Ad.  Graves, 
Major  G.  Bramham, 
Major  G.  Green, 
Major  G-  Roy, 
Major  G.  Garth, 
Capt.  Hotham, 
CapU  Macbride, 


Capt. 


"Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


98]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 

opinion,  to  afford  an  opportunity  of  thought,  mote  confident  with  the 
difcoffing,  in  their  fulleft  extent,  great  importance  of  the  fub)£&  to 
everytprinciple  which  could  poffi-  bring  it  immediately  before  the 
bly  be  involved  in  the  proceeding,  houl'e  feparat&ly,  and  in  the  form 
as  well  thofe  inoppofkibn  to -it,  as  of  a  f pacific  refolution,  than  to 
thoie  in  its  favour.    It  was  alio,  he.  fend  U  to.  the  committee  involved 

with 

Capt.  Hotham,  Capt.  Sir  A.  Hammond* 

Capt,  Sir  John  Jarvis, 
Capt.  Bowyer, 
-     Capt;  Sir  A.  Hammond, 
Capt.  James  Luttrell. 
Report  of  the  hoard  of  land  and  fea  officers  appointed  by  your  majefty  to  invefti- 
gate  and  report  on  the'  proper  fyftem  of  defence,  and  on  the  expediency  and 
efficacy  of  the  propofed  plans  for  better  fecuring  the  dock-yards  at  Pprtunouth 
and  Plymouth.  . 

.Having  fully  taken  into  our  confuleration  your  majefty'*  inftru&ions,  under  your 
majefty's  fignet  and  fign  manual,  dated  the  thirteenth  day  of  April  1785,  and  ob- 
ferving  that  your  majefty  has;  been  gracioufly  pleafed  to  allow  us  to  vary  or  adjd  to 
.  the  data  contained  therein,  as  we  fhould  fee  occaiion,  we  have  availed  ourfelvea  of 
your  majefty's  permiffion  fo  to  do ;  and  as,  in  confequence  of  fuch  alterations, 
fome  of  the  heads  and  qiwftions  under  them  appeared  to  us  to  have  been  already 
anfwered  in  fome  of  the  data,  we  conceived  any  difcuffion  of  them  became  unnecef- 
iary,,  as  will  more  fully  be  teen  in  the  minutes  of  our  proceedings,  herewith  laid  be- 
fore your  majefty.  .  » 

We  therefore;  in  obedience  to  your, majefty' s  commands,  beg  leave  humbly  to 
report,  to  your  majefty,  that  we  have  agreed  on  the  following  data,  as  the  grounds 
on  which  our  fubfequent  opinions  have  been  formed. 

Firft  datum,  agreed  to  unanimously  by  both  land*  and  fea  officers  at  Portfmouth 

and  Plymouth. 
That  it  is  perfectly  right,  neceffary,  and  wiie*  effectually  to  provide  in  time  of 
pejice  for  the  fecurity.of  your  majefty's  dock- yards  at  Portfmouth  and  Plymouth, 
by  fortifications  capable  of  refilling  fuch  an  attack  as  an  enemy  may  be  •  able  to 
make  upon  them  during  the  ablence  of  the  fleet,  or  whilft,  from  other  caufes,  the 
nVet  may  be  prevented  from  affording  its  protection  to  the  dockyards. 
Second  datum,  agreed  to  unanimoully  by  both  land  and  fea  officers  at  Portfmouth 
.';*""        anil  Plymouth.',  *. 

That,  as  far  as  is  confident  with  due  confiderations  of  expence,  and  the  proba- 
ble ftrength  of  the  land  forces,  it  will  be  advifeable  to  provide  a  defence  by  forti- 
fications for  the  dock-yards  at  Portfmouth  and  Ptymouth,  againft  the  chances  of 
the  fleet,  or  fuch  part  thereof  as  might  give  them  protection,  being  abfent  for— . 
(a  certain  time  named,  \yhich  is  omitted,  as  not  being  proper,  to  be  dif- 
clofed.) 

Note. — The  third  datum,  ftating  the  force  of  the  epemy,  agamft  which  it  may 

be  prudent  to  guard,  the  number  of  embarkations,  and  the  detailed  account 

of  mips  proper  for  this  purpoie,   and  agreed  to  unanimoully  by  both  land  mid 

fea  officers,  is  omitted,  as  it  cannot  be  proper  that  fuch  particulars  mould  be 

difclofed. 

The  fourth  datum,  afcertaining  theprecife  number  and  fort  of  troops  which  may 

reafonably  be  evptdied  to  be  had  for  the  defence  of  Portsmouth  and  Plymouth,  as 

eftablifhed  by  thelarid.oflicers,  and  an  obiervation  thereupon,  is  of  a  nature  not  proper 

/ ..-      -  "  %  "--•.:  tfi 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


4 

vH  I  STORY   OF  .EUROPE.  [99 

^ith  the  reft  of  die  ordnance  efti-  and  Plymouth  was  a  meafure  of 

mates.  abfqlute  neccfrity*    feconoUy,  that 

Infhpport  of  the.refolution,  Mr.  the  plan  of  fortifications  propofed 

Pitt  undertook  to*  prove -the  follow-  by  tjie  duke  of  Richmond  was  tho 

iog  pofitiooa :  Ftfft,  that  the  forti-  beft  poffible  plan  for  that  purpofe  $ 

fySig  the  dockyards  at  PortAnouth  thirdly,   that    thefe    fortification* 

.'  would 

tobedhclofak  .  ThedhTent  of  lieutenant-generals  Burcoyneand  Earl  Percy,  is  in 
fijbftance contained  in  their  provifo,  under  another  head  hereinafter  ftated  at  length} 
but  the  particular  reafons  contained  in  this  diffent  of  lieutenant-generals  Burgoyne 
and  Earl  rPercy,  are  for  the  fame  reafon  omitted.  . 

.^The  fifth  datum*  agreed  to  unanimouQy  by  the  land  officers,  afcertaining  the 
tinie  that  it  may  require  before  the  .ftrength  of  the  country  cap  be  collected  from 
Other  part*  of  the  kingdom  in  fuch  |fot;cea*  to  defeat  iiich  an  attempt  as  is  fup- 
pofed,  is  for  the  fame  reafon  omitted. 

Your  majefty's  land  officers  at  Portsmouth  and  Plymouth  are  unaaimoufiy  of 
opinion,  that  fach  '&  the  fituation*  of  the  present  works,  that  no  finifhing,  repairs* 
or  improvements,  without  additional  works,  ^an,  under  tlie  circumftances  of  the 
da$a,  afford  that,  degree  of  fecurity,  to:  t^e,  dock-yards— (for  the  time  mentioned  in 
the  preceding  datum);  a*  may  enable  your  majefty  to  employ  your  whole  fleet,  if 
•  neceflary,  on  foreign  fervice,  ~ 

."  Aa^.^-All  the  details  relative  to  the  infumciency  of  the  prefent  fortifications^ 
uuaninaouflv  agreed  to  hy  the  land  officers*  are  omitted.  . 

.  Your  majefty  s  land  officers,  both  at  Portfinouth  and  Plymouth,  are  imanimoufly 
of  opinion,  that  a  fyftem  of  detached  forts  is  the  moft  proper  for  the  purpofe  of 
protecting  the  deck- yards. 

Your  majefty's  land  officers,  both  at  Portfinouth  and  Plymouth,  are  unanimoufly 
of  opinion,  that  the  fyftem  of  detached  works,  as  propofed,  has,  in  the  extenfive  fitua- 
tkms  of  Portfinouth  and  Plymouth,  this  advantage,  that  the  fecurity  to  be  derived 
therefrom  will  not  be  wholly  delayed  till  the  whole  of  the  propofed  plan  is  executed, 
but  an  additional  degree  of  ftrength  will  be  acquired  as  the  detached  works  arepro- 
greffively  finished. 

Your  majefty's  land  officers,  both  at  Portfinouth  and  Plymouth,  are  unanimoufiy 
of  opinion,  that  the  fituations  of  the  ftveral  places  therein  fpecified,  are  well  chofen 
for  detached  works. 

Your  majefty's  land  officers  at  Portfinouth  and  Plymouth  are  unanimoufly  of 
opinion,  that  the  new  works  propofed  are  well  adapted  to  thofe,  fituations. 

A*/*.-— The  detail  of  the  peculiar  advantages  of  thefe  works,  unanimoufly.  agreed 
to  by  the  land  officers,  is  omitted. 

Your  majefty's  land. officers  aj  Plymouth  are  unanimoufiy  of  opinion,  that  the 
diftance  of  the  fituation  propofed,  in  lieu  of  MerrifieM,  from  the  dock,  appears  too 
great  for  the  circumftances  of  the  dataj  and  would,  if  fortified,  require  a  greater 
garrifon  and.  greater  ex  pence,  and  wfould  not  afford  the  fame  fecurity  to  the  docl^ 
yard  as  Merrifield,  and  therefore  the  land  officers  fnuft  give  the  preference  to  ' 
Alerrifitld.  - 

Your  majefty's  land  officers  at  Portfinouth  are  unanimoufly  of  opinion,  that  tjve 
propofed  firiiflnng  for  works  already  begun,  the  improvements  to  old  ones,  and 
the  plan  for  rebuilding  South-Sea  caftle,  will,  together  with  the  new  works  pro-v 
pofed,  give  a  reafonable  degree  of  fecurity  for  your  majefty's  dock-yard  at'Portfr 
mouth,  for  the  time  and  under  the  circumftances  of  the  data,  with  a  garrifon 
of  the  numbers  before  fpecified  (regulars  and  militia)  which  the  land  officers  are 
of  opinion  is  fufficient  for  its  defence }  whereas  the  prefent  Works,  even  when  re- 

[GJ  a  paired, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


too]      AtftfflAt  REGISTER^  1786. 

*rbuM  be  themeansof  gmng  a  great-  had"  felly  eftabjifhed  that  point,  by 

e'r  feope  and  efted  to*  the  operation*  declaring,  that  neither  any  naval  00 

Af  our  fleets;  ancH^yi  that  the^  military  force,  nor  even  both  unit- 

WotiM  dioiini/h  the  landing  army,  ed,  could  afford  fucb  a  degree  of 

'  Withrefpea  to  tile  riecefflty  of*  fecurity  as  wate  adequate  to  the  im* 

the  rteafure,  hefaid,  that  the  board  portancd  of  our  dpcfe*y&pfe,   but 

that 

paired,  hmfhed,  and  improved,  would  require  a  larger  force  for  their  defence^ 
wtfli  which  they  would  ftill  be  ineffechiai  for  the  purpole  of  fteuring  this  dock** 
yard.  : 

Your  majeftv's  land  officers  at  Plymouth  are  unanimoufly  of  opinion,  that* 
garrifbn— (of  the  numbers  before  fpecified,  regulars  and  militia)' appears  fufficisnt, 
if  the  propofed  new  works  and  repair  of  • -old"  ones  are  executed  $  and  ttoat  for  thtf 
prefent  works,  even  when  repaired,  a  much 'larger  garrifbn  would  be  ineffectual 
for  the  purpofe  of  fecurin*  this  dock-yard. 4  i    . 

Your  ma]«rfty*s  land i  officers  having  taken  into  confideratioti  the  whole  fituation 
of  Plymouth,  are  unanimoufly  of  opinion,  that'  rbe  peppofed  new  works,  hi  atfc 
ditien  to  the  old  ones,  wheh  proheny  repaired,  as  iuggefted  in  our  proceedings^ 
(with  a  garrifbn  of  the:  numbers  before  fpecified,  regulars  and  militia)  will  givi  a 
reasonable  degree  of  fecurity  for  your  majefty'*  dock-yard  at  Plymouth  for  the  tin* 
and  under  the  clrcumftances,  of  the  data.        (  ' 

•  Your  majefty's  land  officers,  as  far  as  they  wfcre  refpe&ively  concerned  at  Pokf- 
mouth  or  Plymouth,  do  report  to  your  ritajefty,  that  from  the.  report  of  the  com- 
mittee of  engineers  afthe  Tower,  which  they  have  unammoufly  agreed  to  adopt,  it 
appears,  that  the  expence  of  the  works  prdpofed  for  iecurkig  your  majefty  *8  dock- 
yards at  Portfmouth  and  Plymouth,  will  be  as  follows :  ( 
JVW.— This  paper  has  been  already  delivered  to  the  houfe. 

Your  majefty's  iriftru&ions  under  the  83d  head,  having  required,  what  improve-* 
merits  or  alterations,  Or  what  other  fyftem  of  defence,  the  board  would  fuggeft,  the 
unanimous  opinion  of  your  majefty^s  fea  officers  is,  that— (a  certain  number  there-* 
in  fpecified)  of  gun-boats  at  Portfmouth  and  Plymouth  will  form  a  great  arm  of 
defence  againft  an  invading  enemy. 

•  AM  your  majefty's*  land  officers  entirely  concur  in  this  opinion  with  the  fea 
officers,  confidering  thefe  gun-boats  as  a  great  improvement  in  the  defence  of  theft 
places. 

Your  majefty*s  land  and  fea  officers  beg  leave  to  recommend  a  fct  of  fignals  to 
he  eflablifhed  oh  the  proje&ing  head  -  land  s-r(  of  certain  parts  of  the  coaft  therein 
fpecified)  with  intelligent  mariners  to  make-  them,  as  of  eftential  advantage  in  con- 
veying early  intelligence  of  thfe  approach'  of  an  enemy,  and  for  the  protection  of 
commerce.' 

Your  majefty's  land  and  fea  officers-  unanimoufly  recommend— (an  improve- 
ment in  the/Vupply  of  frefh  water  at  Plymouth^  if  to  be  had  at  a  reafonable  ex* 
Jence.)  -  ..-,'' 

The  board  has  no  other  improvement,  or  other  fyftem  of  defence  to  fuggeft  to 
Jrour.  majefty. 

Lastly,  your  majefty's  land  and  fea  officers  humbly  beg  leave  to  obferVe,  that 
tjiey  make  .thia  report  to  your  majefty,  in  full  confidence,  that  the  providing  an 
additional  fecurity  to  the  dock -yards  at  Portfmouth  and  Plymouth  is  in  no  relpeft 
iriconfittent  with  the  neceflary  exertion*  for  the  fupport  of  the  navy  5  which  ihe^ 

confider 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY  OF    EVRpPE.        {ioji 

-that  fortifications  were   abfolutely  gible,  as  being  the  moft  adequate 

xieceHary  in  addition  to  both.    Se*  to  the  defence  of  the  places  in  que& 

condly,  with  refpeft  to  the  mode  of  tion,  capable  of  being  manned  by 

jbrtification,  they  had  declared  the  the   fina^left   force,    requiring  the 

jjlan  fuggefted  by  the  mafter  general  leaft  expence  to  ere&,  and  particu,- 

-of  the  ordnance  to  be  the  njoft  eli-  larly  as  affording  an  increanng  de- 
gree 

jconfider  as  the-firft  obje#  of  attention  for  the  iafety  and , profpetity  of  the  king** 
^omt 

(Signed) 
Richmond,  Lennox,  and  Aubigny. 
Sam.  Barrington,  Tho.  Graves, 

Guy  Carleton,  Hood, 

Will.  Howe,  James  Bramham, 

Geo,  H.  Lenox,  William  Green, 

John  Burgoyne,  William  Roy, 

f  crcy,  Oeo.  Garth, 

Cornwallis,  William  Hotham.* 

David.  Lindfay,        "~  '  John  Macbride, 

Mark  Millbanke,  John  Jarvis, 

Charles  Grey,  Geo.  Bowyer, 

James  Pattifon,  A.  Snape  Hammond, 

Sam.  Cieavelaftdt  James  Luttrell. 

Captain  Macbride  entered  the  following  objection  to  the  third  datum,  on  the 
fubject  of  the  enemy's  force  againft  which  the  board  thought  it  neceflary  to  pro- 
vide. 

I  object  to  this  datum,  becaufe  it  is  founded  upon  a  calculation  of  a  large  ima- 
ginary force.  My  idea  of  a  defcent  goes  only  to  the  probability  of  an  armament 
that  may  poflibly  confift  of— (a  certain  force  which  he  ipecifies)  which  I  think  iuf- 
ficient  to  provide  againft. 

To  the  queftion,  What  improvement  or  alterations,  or  what  otfcer  fyftem  of  de* 
fence  the  board  would  fuggeft  ? 

Lieutenant- generals  Burgoyne  and  earl  Percy,  vice-admiral  Millbanke,  and  ma1- 
jor  general  preen,  ftated;  that  they  had  none  to  fuggeft  under  the  circurnftances  of 
the  data.  . 

Rear-admiral  Graves  ftated,  that  he  had  none  to  fuggeft  under  the  excefs  of  the 
data: 

Vice-admiral  Barrington,  rear- admiral  lord  Hood,  captains  Hotham,  Bowyer, 
•  fir  Andrew  Snape  Hammond,  and  the  honourable  James  Luttrell,  Hated,  that  they 
thought,  it  more  properly  belonged  to  the  land  officers  ofvthis  'joarii,  than  to  them, 
as  the  minutes  of  their  proceedings  will  (hew,  to  enter  into  anv  lyftem  of  defence 
or  fortifications,  except  fuch  parts  as  are  intended  for  a  dejence  'againft  flups  of 
war,  and  the  propofals  they  have  offered  .for  gun-boats.      v  * 

Captain  Macbride  ftated,  that  he  had  no  farther  improvements  to  fuggeft;  but 
.enterex}  his.  objt&ions  to  the  propofed  fyftem  of  defence. 

Jfote. -^-Captain  Macbride's  objections  are  omitted,  beeaufe  they  contain  detailed 
defcriptions  of  the  coaft,  roadfteads,  currents,  tides,^  and  bottoms,  and   an- 
s  chorage,  by  no  means  proper  to  be  divulged.      Capuin  Macbride  conclude* 
lus  objections  with,  thele  yw>rds : 

[GJ  3  I  am 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


toa]      A*NNtJAL    REGISTER,  i786. 

gree  of  fecurity  in  the  courfe  of  additional  ftrength.    In  fupport  of 

their  ere&ion,  in  fo  much  as  that,  if  his  third  polition,  he  urged,  that  the 

any  given  portion  of  them  was  cbm-  dock-yards  being  thus  prote&ed,  the 

pleated,  and  the  remainder    unfi-  navy  would  confequently  be  unfet- 

nifhed,  yet  even  that  part  fo  com-  tereq,  and  left  at  liberty  to  a#  as 

pleated  would  afford  a  great  deal  of  occafion  might  require/ in  whatever 

part 

I  am  therefore  of  opinion  that  no  new  works  are  at  prefent  necenary  to  be  erected 
at  Plymouth.  ,% 

(Sighed)  J.  Macbride. 

On  the  board  having  declared  it  to  be  their  unanimous  opinion,  that  no  member 
is  precluded,  by  the  data  agreed  to  by- the  board,  from  fuggefting  any  other  fyftem. 
of  defence,  on  thole  or  any  other  data,  for  the  confideration  of  the  board,  in  anfwer, 
to  the  queftion  contained  in  the  23d  head,  under  his  majefty's  instructions  ; 
The  following  provifo  was  added  :  v 

/But  we  da  not  think  ourfelves  required,  as  individuals,  by  his  majefty's  inftruc*. 
tions,  or  any  queftions  under  tnem,  to.  produce  any  other  fyftem,  or  other  data. 

(Signed) 
S.  Barrington,  Will.  Green, 

j.  Burgoyne,  Will.  Hotham, 

.    Percy,  John  Jarvis, 

\  M.  Millbanke,  Geo.  Bowyer. 

Tho.Graves, 
Rear-admiral  Graves,  in  aflenting  to  the  article  of  the  report  exprefling  the  full 
confidence  of  the  board,  that  the  providing  an  additional  fecurity  ;to  the  dock-yard 
at  Plymouth  is  in  no  refpeit  incontinent  with  the  neceflary  fupport  of  the  riavy  5  to 
avoid  being  rnifundeiftood,  delired  to  explain  himfelf  by  the  following  provtfb  : 

I  perfectly  agree  with  the  reft  of  the  board,  as  to  the  importance  of  the  royal, 
navy  towards  the  fafety  and  profperity  of  this  maritime  and  infular  kingdom  ;  but 
would  not  have  it  implied,  that!  think  any  neW  fyftem  of  additional  land  fortinca^ 
tions  for  the  fecurity  of  Plymouth  neceflary.  .   ,.  .,  * 

(Signed)(  T.  Graves.     - 

Lieutenant-generals  Burgoyne  and  earl  Percy,  vice-admiral  Millbanke,  rear* 
admiral  Graves,  and  -captain  fir  John  Jarvis,  on  figning  the  report,  beg  leave  to  re- 
prefent  to  your  majefty  as-follows  t 

That  our  proceedings  have  been  founded  upon  the  fuppofition  of  the  whole  fleet 
being  abfent  (for  a  certain  time)  as  mentioned  in  the  fecond  datum,  and  therefore 
that  the  enemy  may  bring  over  an  army  (of  the  force  mentioned  in  the  third  da- 
tum) with  an  artillery  proportionate  to  an  attack  on  Portfmouth  or  Plymouth,  hav- 
ing (a  certain  time)  to  a&  in,  uninterrupted  by  the  Britlm  fleet,  as  mentioned  in  the 
third  datum  :  the  bare  poffibility  of  fuch  an  event  we  do  not  pretend  to  deny  5  but 
how  far  it  is  probable  that  the  whole  fcritim  fleet  may  be  feiit  on  any  fervice  requir- 
ing fo  long  an  abfence,  at  a  time  when  the  enemy  is  prepared  to  invade  this  country 
with  (a  force  as  that  mentioned  in  the  thud  datum)  we  muft  humbly  leave  to  your 
majefty's  fuperior  wifdom  r  and  therefore,  whether  it  is  neceflary,  in  comequence  of 
fuch  a  fuppofition,  to  ereft  works  of  fo  expenfive  a  nature  as  thofe  propofed,  and 
which  require  fuch  large  garrifons  to  defend  them. 
v     .  (Signed) 

J.  Burgoyne,  T.  Graves, 


Percy,  J.  Jarvis. 

M.  Millbanke, 


lieutenant* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


bo3 


part  of  the  world  their  prtfence 
might  be  njott  DecefTaiy.  Whoever, 
be  laid,  turned  in  his  mind  the 
events  of  the  laft  war,  would,  he 
was  lure,;  be  convinced  of  the  >. great 
benefit  that  might  be  drawn  from 
our  fleets  being  enabled  to  a&  in* 
fuch  a  manner  3  and  he  particularly 
alluded  4:0  that  period  when  the 
French  were  hovering  upon  our 
coafts,  and  when  the  renown  of  de- 


fending and  relieving  Gibraltar 
would  have  been  loft,  but  for  fome 
accidental  cirenmftances  that  luck- 
ily at  that  moment  fecured  us  from 
the  danger  of  an  attack  at  home, 
and  enabled  the  fleet  under  lord 
Howe  to  fail  on  that  important  fer- 
vice.  In  proof  of  his  laft  pofition, 
that  the  fortifications  in  quefbon 
would  reduce  our  (landing  army,  he 
faid,  that  if,  in  cale  of  a  threatened 


Lieutenant-generals  Burgoyne  and  earl  Percy,  011  agreeing  to  the  erection  of  new 
works,  and  to  the  fyttem  of  detached  forts  being  the  moll  proper  for  the  preJcrva- 
tion  of  the  dockyard  at  PortJinouth,  entered  the  following  proyifo  : 

We  approve  of  the  fy&em  of  detached  works,  and  we  agree  to  the  above,  un- 
der tht  circumftances  fettled  in  the  data,  provided  the  expence  to  be  incurred  (hall 
not*  exceed  fuch*  fums  as  the  llate  can  afford  to  grant  for  thefe  pui  poles,  and  that 
the  number  of  troops  fuppofed  to  be  allotted  by  the  fourth  datum,  can  be  fpared 
for  the  defence  of  Portimouth,  confidently  with  the  general  defence  of  the  king- 
dom. 

(Signed)  J.  Burgoyne, 

Percy. 

To  which  provifo  tl:e  reft  of  the  land  officers,  members  of  this  board,  think  it 
thtir  duty  to  add  : 

That  we  the  under- wilt  fen  humbly  defire  that  it  may  be  undcrftcod  by  your  ma- 
jefry,  ihat  we  never  entertained  an  idea  that  any  expence  to  be  incurred  fhould  ex-~ 
ceed  tuch  funis  :,c>  ti:e  li^te  could  afford  for  theie  purpofes,  as  we  apprthend  was 
fully  ftated  in  our  ilccnd  datum ;  or  that  we  meant  to  recommend  works  requiring 
a  greater  number  ci  troops  to  deh-nd  than  could  be  fpareii  for  the  defence  ot'Portl- 
-  mouth,  confiftemiy  w.ihthe  general  defence  of  the  kingdom. 

On  the  contrary,  the  work*  we  recommend  appear  to  us  to  be  calculated  upon 
the  mod  ceconomicai  principles,  and  to  require  the  imalleft  number  >>i  troops  pof- 
(ible  to  anfwe'r  the  purpoie  ct  cffe&ualiy  fecuring  your  imjefty's  dock -yards  at 
Poitiineuth  and  Plymouth.  We  concer.e  that  Uich  numbers  can  be  fpaved  for 
thispurpofe  j  we  confider  fuch  p»  ottcVion  to  be  an  tfTcntial  object  for  the.  lafety  of 
the  ftate,  and  intimately  connected  wrh  tl:e  general  defence  of  the  kingdom.}  but 
we  do  not  confider  it  to  be  our  province  minutely  to  enter  into  a  confederation  of 
the  abilities  of  the  l^ate  to  provide  the  neceflary  fbpplies  for  this  purpoie.  ' 

(Signed) 
Richmond,  Lennox,  and  Aubigny. 


Guy  Carltton, 
Will.  Howe, 
Qto.  H-  Lenox, 
Cornwaliis, 
David  Lindfay, 
Charles  Grey, 

RICHMOND,  See.  Prefident 
of  the  Board  of  Land  and 
$ca  Officers,  &c. 


Jame*  Pattifbn, 
Sam.  Cleaveland, 
James  Bramham, 
William  Greer, 
William  Roy, 
George  Garth. 


[<?]* 


invafion, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


IP4]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786- 


hrvalion,  «wc  mould  truftonly  to  our 
ftanding  army,  and  remain  without 
fortifications,  there  would  be  a  ne«? 
cjeffity  of  augmenting  to  a  moft  enor- 
mous degree  that  army,  on  which 
the  whole  fafety  of  the  kingdom 
was  to  reft  5  whereas,  if  it  was  af- 
filed with  fortifications',  a  much 
{mailer  force  would  be  fufficient,  it 
being  abfurd  to  contend  that  any 
number  of  troops,  independent  of 
fortifications,  were  able  to  defend  a 
place  better  than  the  fame  number, 
affifted  by  fortifications.  But  it  had 
been,  he  faid,  already  proved,  that 
the  plan  propofed  for  the  fecurity  of 
the  dock-yards  was  the  beft  that 
could  be  devifed,  and  was  capable 
of  defence  by  the  fmalleft  number 
of  troops  5  it  woiild  therefore  fol- 
low of  courfe,  that  the  fortifications 
in  queftion  would  reduce  the  land- 
ing army  to  the  loweft  pofiible  num- 
ber that  the  circumftances  of  the 
cafe  would  admit  of.  This  laft  ar- 
gument he  hoped  would  compleatly 
remove  thofe  alarms  that  prevailed 
both  within  and  beyond  the  walls  of 
the  houfe,  from  a  miftaken  idea  that 

',  the  meafure  was  unconftitutional  in 
its  tendency,  by  laying  the  founda- 
tion for  a  (tending  army,  and  di- 
verting into  an  ufelefs  and  danger- 
ous channel  thofe  refources  which 
mould  ftrengthen  our  navy.  He 
concluded  with  declaring,  that  he 
viewed  it  as  a  naval  queftion,  and 
as  fuch  it  ought  to  be  conlidered, 
becaufe  while  it  gave  fecurity  to  the 
vital  fprings  and  fources  of  our  ma- 
rine, by  protecting  the  dock-yards, 
fo  far  from  rendering  an  increafe  of 
the  military  force  of  the  kingdom 
necefiary,  as  fome  gentlemen,  from 
a  laudable  jealoufyof  the  Handing 
army,  and  from  a  natural  and  zea- 
■lous  regard  for  theconftitution,  had 

.  been  led  to  imagine,  it  would  actu- 


ally tend  to  remove  the  necefliry  of 
keeping  up  fo  large  a  military  efta-> 
bliihment  as  otherwife  muft  be 
maintained.  > 

Such  were  the  leading  arguments 
by  which  the  refolution  was  fop- 
ported.  The  other  fpeakers  in  ia~ 
vour  of  it  were  lord  Hood,  the  ho- 
nourable captain  Berkeley,  the  ho- 
nourable James  Luttrell,  captain, 
Bowyer,  Sir  C.  Middleton,  Mr.  J. 
Hawkins  Browne,  and  lord  Ma- 
lum. 

In  oppofition  to  the  medfure,  it 
was  moved  as  an  amendment,  by 
Mr.  Baftard,  and  feconded  by  Sir 
W.  Lemon,  *>ne  of  the  members 
for  the  county  of  Cornwall,  to  leave 
out  of  the  refolution  all  the  words 
from  the  word  f  houfe"  to  the  end 
of  the  queftion  5  and  to  mfert,  "that 
"  fortifications  on  fo  extenfive  a 
"  plan  as  propofed  by  the  board, 
"  are  inexpedient.*' 

This  amendment  was  defended 
by  Mr.Wallwyn,  general  Burgoyne, 
capt.  Macbride,  colonel  Barre,  Mr. 
Courtenay,  the  honourable  Charles 
Marfliam,  Mr.  Windham;  Mr. 
Fofc,  lord  North,  and  Mr.  She- 
ridan. 

The  fpeech  of  the  laft-mentioned 
gentleman  on  this  occafion  was  the 
tubject  of  much  admiration  $  and 
'  indeed,  independent  of  fuch  argu- 
ments  as  were  peculiar  to  itfelf,  it 
appears  to  have  comprehended  eve- 
ry other  which  was  made 'life  of  in 
contradiction  to  the  propofed  plan 
of  fortifications.  His  objections  to 
the  fyftem  were  of  a  two-fold  na- 
ture j— firft,  fuch  as  went  to  ihew 
that  it  was  in  itfelf,  and  in  its  con- 
fluences, dangerous  and-  inimical 
to  the  conftitution  3 — and  fecondly, 
.  that  fuch  were  the  nature  and  cir- 
cumftances of  the  report  made  by 
the  board  of  officers,  that  the  report 

itfelf 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY  OF  EUROPE. 


[«* 


itfelf  did  not  warrant  or  authorize  the 
fyftem.  Under  the  §rft  of  thefe  heads 
be  took  notice  of  the  arguments  that 
had  been  nfed  to  (hew  that  this  fyf- 
tem of  fortification  would  actually 
dkninifh  the  Handing  army  in  this 
country,  and  that,  the  number  of 
troops  being  fo  dtminiihed,  there 
would  be  proportionabry  lefs  caufe 
for  eoDtlitutional  jealoufy.  The  po- 
rtion that  this  fyflem  of  defenee  by 
fortifications  could,  under  any  cir- 
cumftances  whatever,  have  the  ef- 
fect of  redacingthe  ftanding  army, 
fceutterly  denied.  But  even  allow- 
ing that  fuch-  fortifications  would 
letfen  the  Handing  array?  it  did  not 
folloW,  hefaid,  as  a  conclufion,  that 
there  would  be  lefs  caufe  for  consti- 
tutional jealoufy  5  that  when  we 
talked  of  a  conftitutional  jealoufy  of 
the  military  power  of  the  crown, 
what  was  the  real  object  we  pointed 
our  fufpicion  at,  but  that  it  was  in 
the  nature  of  kings  to  love  power, 
and  in  the  conftitution  of  armies  to 
obey  kings  ? — That  whenever  we 
f poke  of  a  conftitutional  jealoufy  of 
the  army,  it  was  upon  a  fuppofi- 
tion  that  the  unhappy  time  might 
come,  when  a  prince  might  be  mif- 
led  by  evil  counfellors,  and  that  an 
army  might  be  found  who  would 
iupport  their  military  head  in  an 
attempt  upon  the  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  their  country. — The  poflible 
existence  of  this  cafe,  and  the  pro* 
bable.  coincidence  of  thefe  circum- 
stances, was  in  contemplation  when- 
ever »an  argument  was  admitted  up- 
on the  fubject ;  otherwife  we  bur- 
lefqued -and  derided  the  wifdom  of 
^our  anceftorsia  the  provisions  of  the 
bill  of  rights,  and  made  a,  mere 
mockery  of  the  falutary  and  facred 
referve  with  which  for  a  fhort  and 
limited  period  we  annually  en- 
trufted    the    executive  magiftrafcc 


with  the  meccflary  defence  of  the 

country. 

This  plain  ftateme'nt  being  the 
cafe,  it  (was  not  merely  to  the  ntuxxr 
iber  of  foldiers  a  king  might  hswe9 
•that  we  weue  to  look .  The  jet .  and 
iub&ance  of  the  queftion  was,  m 
which  of  the  two  fituati©»s,theone 
with,  the  other  without  the  propofed 
fortifications,  would  fuch  a  milled 
king  and  Ins  counfellors  find  thenar 
felves  in  a  ftate  of  the  greateft  mir 
litary  force  and  preparation,  and 
molt  likely  to  command  and  to  re»* 
ceive  a  .military  iupport  ?  In  this 
point  of  view,  would  it  be  argued 
that  thefe  fortrefles,  which  wore  to 
become  capable  of  refitting  the  fiege 
of  a  foreign  enemy  landed  In  force 
would  not  ferve  as  a  fufficieatfirength 
in  the  hands  of  the  crown,  when  the 
enemy  was  his  people  ?  Again, 
would  no  ftrefs  be  given  to  the 
great  important  diftinction  between 
troops  fele&ed  and  feparated  from 
their  fellow 'citizens  in  garrilons 
and  forts,  and  men  living  Scattered 
and  entangled  in  all  the  common, 
duties  and  connections  of  their 
countrymen?  Was  this,  an  argu- 
ment of  no  weight,  when  applied  te 
the  militia,  who  were  to  form  a  part 
of  thefe  garrifons?  or  would  it, 
even  for  a  moment,  be  pretended, 
that  men,  under  fuch  c ire urnftances, 
and  in  fuch  difciplined  habits,  were 
not  a  thoufand  times  more  likely,  to 
defpife  the  breath  of  parliament, 
arid  to  lend  themfelves  to  the  active 
purpofes  of  tyranny  and  ambition, 
than  the  loofe  and  unconnected  bo* 
dies  which  exift,  even  with  jealoufy,' 
under  the  prefent  regulations?  It 
was  unneceflary  to  prefs  the  distinc- 
tion j  the  fact  was,  that  thofe  ftrong 
military  holds,  if  maintained  at 
they  muft  be  in  peace  by  full  ancfc 
difciplined  garrifonsj  if.  well  pro* 

vided 


.Digitized  by  VjjQO 


io6]      A  N'N  UAL'  REGIST  E  *R/  178& 


vided;  and  calculated  to  ftand  regu- 
lar fieges,  as  the*  prefent  plan  pro- 
iefled;  and  if  extended  to  all  the 
objects  to  which  the  fyftem  muft  in- 
evitably lead,  whether  tl.ey  were  to 
be  considered  as  inducements  to 
tempt  a  weak  prince  to  evil  views> 
or  as  engines  of  power  in  cafe  of  an 
actual  rupture,  would  in  truth  pro- 
mife  ten- fold  the  means  of  curbing 
and  fubduing  the  country  that  could 
be  ftated  to  arife  even  from -doubling 
the  prefent  military  cftablhhrnent ; 
with  this  extraordinary  aggravation 
attending  the  folly  of  contenting  to 
fuch  a  fyftem,  that  thofe  very  naval 
ftores  and  magazines,  the  effectual 
prefervation  of  which  was  'the  pre- 
tence for  thefe  unaffailable  fortref- 
ies-,  would  in  that  cafe  become  a 
pledge  and  hoftage  in  the  hands  of 
the  crown,  which,  in  a  country  cir- 
cumftanced  as  this  was,  muft  enfure 
ao  unconditional  iubmiffion  to  the 
moft  extravagant  claims  which  def- 
potifm  could  dictate. 

He  next  adverted  to  the  argu- 
ments which  had  been  ufed  to  fhew 
that' the  prefent  fyftem  of  fortifica- 
tion would  kflen  the  Handing  army ; 
the  fallacy  of  which  he  faid  was  evi- 
dent; in  fuppofing  that  the  fyftem  of 
defence  by  fortifications  was  necef- 
farily  to  nop,  when  Portfmouth  and 
Plymouth  mould  become  fecured; 
and  that  the  reafoning  upon  which 
the  extenfive  works  for  thefcplaces 
were  juftified,  would  not  apply  to  any 
other  parts  of  the  kingdom,  where- 
ever  their  importance  called  for  de- 
fence; or  their  lituation  expofed  them 
to  attack.  The  fhorteft  method  of 
refuting  this  idea,  was  fimply  to 
fuppofe  the  fame  board  of  officers*, 
acting  under  the  fame  inftru&ions, 
and  deliberating  under  the  fame  da- 
tangoing  a  circuit  round  the  coaft 
^f  the  kingdom,  and  directed  to  re* 


port  upon  the  various  place*  in  their 
progrefs,  and  let  any  perfon  fairly 
contiderthe  fuppofitions  underwhich 
they  make  their  prefent  report,  and 
then  he  State  to  coofefs,  that  they 
muft  of  neceflity  recommend  a  fimi* 
lar  plan  Of  defence,  proportionable 
to  the  importance  of  every  place  to 
which  their  attention  was  directed. 

Mr.  Sheridan  now  proceeded  to 
examine  lb  much  of  the  report 
made  by  the  board  of  officers  as 
had  been  laid  befpre  the  houfej 
which,  he  argued,  was  framed  ia 
fuch  a  manner,  and  under  fuch 
circumftances,  as  by  no  means 
fancrioned  or  warranted  the  plan 
under  their  consideration.  Had 
the  board  been  left  to  their  own 
free  and  unfettered  judgment,  and 
had  they  then  reported,  as  theis 
decided  and  unqualified  opinion; 
that  the  fyftem  propofed  by  the 
matter  general  of  tl\e  ordnance 
was  a  meafure  worthy  of  the  wif* 
dom  of  parliament  to  adopt,  he 
mould,  he  faid,  have  acquiefced 
in  their  determination  >  but  to, 
fliew  that  this  was. not  the  cafe, 
he  ihould  appeal  to,  and  argue 
from  the  report  itfelf.  Firft,  he 
obferved,  that,  mutilated  as  the 
ftate  of  it  was,  it  was  ftill  evident 
that,  fo  far  from  its  having -re- 
ceived the  unanimous  fan&ion  of 
the  board,  there  was  good  reafon 
to  believe,,  from  the  reference 
which  was  made  to  the  minutes 
of  the  naval  officers,  (the  refult  of 
which  was  withheld)  that  thofe 
minutes  contained  a  condemna- 
tion  of  the  plan.  He  did  not 
think  it  would  be  argued,  that 
the  refult  of  thofe  minutes  could 
not  be  communicated,  becaufe  they 
were  mixed  with  fuch  other  mattery 
of  intelligence  as  it  might  be 
dangerous,  to  reveal  3  fince  a  fuifi* 

;  cienj| 


dbyVj,C)< 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


C»o7 


plent  degree  of  ingenuity  had  been 
ihewn  in-  the  manner  of  making 
the  extra&s  from  the  report  j  and 
it  would  prove  extraordinary  in- 
deed, if,  wherever  the  judgment 
was  unfavourable,  it  ihould  have 
been  fo  blinded  and  complicated 
with  matter  of  detail  and  dange- 
rous difbuffion,  that  no  chemical 
procefs  in  the  ordnance  laboratory 
could  poflibly  feparate  them ;  while, 
on  the  contrary,  every  approving 
opinion,  like  a  fubtile  oily  fluid, 
floated  at  the  top  at  once,  and  the 
<:lumfieft  clerk  was  capable  of  pre- 
fenting  it  to  the  houfe  pure  and 
untinged  by  a  iingle  particle  of  the 
reafpq  or  information  which  pro- 
duced it. 

Secondly,  he  contended  that  the 
opinion  of  the  land  officers  was 
founded  upon  hypothetical  and  con- 
ditional fuggeftiom\  and  upon  fuch 
data  as  the  mailer  general  had  pro- 
pofed  to  them;  the  truth  or  pro- 
bability of  which  fuggefiiom  and 
data  the  board  invariably  and 
'unanimously  refufed  to  authorife 
or  make  themlelvei  refponfible  for. 
This  circuinftence,  he  faid,  defer  v- 
ed  particular  attention,  fince  the 
report  had  been  fo  artfully  framed 
and  managed  as  to  warrant  a  con- 
trary afle/tion,  namely,  that  the 
board  had  acceded,  to  •  the  truth 
or  probability  of  the >  data  them- 
felves.  In  fpeakirig  of  thefe  data, 
Mr.  Sheridan  ufed  much  wit  and 
ingenious  raillery,  at  the  ex  pence 
of  the  mailer  general.  He  faid 
that  his  grace  deferved  the  warmeft 
panegyrics  for  the  Unking  proofs 
which  he  had  given  of  his  genius 
as  an  engineer,  which  appeared 
even  in  the  planning  and  contlrud- 
ing  of  the  report  in  queftion ;  the 
pnofeflional  ability  of  the  mailer 
|Cfiteial  flione  confpicuoufly  there, 


as  It  would  upon  our  coafts :  he  had 
made  an  argument  of  polls,  and 
conducted  his  reafoning  upon  prin- 
ciples of  trigonometry  as  well  as* 
logic.  There  were  certain  detached 
data  like  advanced  works  to  keep 
the  enemy  at  a  di (lance  from  thtf 
main  objecl:  in  debate  5  ftrong  pro- 
vi (ions  covered  the  flanks  of  his  af- 
ferttons,;  his  very  queries  were  in 
cafemates;  no  impreflion  therefore 
was  to  be  made  oh  this  fortrefs  of 
fophiftry  by  defultory  obfervations, 
and  it  was  necejTary  to  fit  down 
before  it  and  aflail  it  by  regu- 
lar approaches,  it  was  fortun- 
ate Tiowever,  he  faid,  to  obferve; 
that  notwith (landing  all  the  ikili 
enyployed  by  the  noble  and  literary 
engineer,  his  mode  of  defence  on 
paper  was  open  to  jhe  fame  ob- 
jection which  had  been  urged  a- 
gainfl  his  other  fortifications,  that* 
if  his  adverfary  got  pofieffion  of 
one  of  his  polls,  it  became  ftrength 
again  ft  him,  and  the  means  of 
-fkbduing  the  whole  line  of  his  ar- 
igtiment. 

'*  Laftly,  he  argued,  that  the  datm 
themfelves  were  founded  upon  a 
ruppofition  of  -events  fo  defperate 
and  improbable,  as  would,  were 
they  to  take  eftecl:,  not  only  pro- 
duce imminent  danger  to  Ports- 
mouth* and  Plymouth,  but  equally 
fo  to  every  other  part  of  the  coun- 
try, and  in  fa6fc  the  a&ual  con- 
queft  of  the  iHand. — Under  the  circuit- 
ces  of  the  data,  it  was  neceflary  to 
fuppofe  literally  as  follows ; — "  The 
u  abfence  of  the  whole  Britilh  fleet 
"  for  the  fpace  of  three  months, 
"  while  an  army  of  thirty  or  forty 
"  thoufand  men  was  ready  on  the 
""  enemy's  coail  to  invade  this 
"  country,  that  enemy  to  chufe 
"  their  poiflt  of  landing,  to  land 
"  and  encamp    with,  heavy  artil- 

"  lery, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


jog}      ANNUAt    REGISTER,  1786. 


9  \eryA  $nd  every  beocflary  for  a 
?  fiege,  while  no  force  in  Great 
<l  Britain  could  be  collected  in 
«'  lefs  tbjm  two  months  to  oppofe 
«<  them/* 

.  Admitting  iirft  as  a  fad,  what 
was  not  at  all  certain,  namely, 
that  4he  .enemy  fhould  decide  to 
attack  fortfmouth  and  Plymouth, 
inftead  of  linking  at  the  heart  of 
Ike  empire,  yet  it  did  not  then 
follow,  he  faid,  that  thefe  only  ob- 
jecls.  were  effectually  fecured  aqd 
provided  for  5  fincc,  in  the  firft 
place,  it  bad  not  yet  been  made 
opt  that  the  enemy  might  not 
either  land  or  march  to  the  eaft- 
ward  of  Plymouth,  where  no  de- 
fence was  yet  intended  to  be  con- 
#ru&ed;  and,  fecondly,  as  the 
whole  queftion  turned  upon  the 
iyppofiuon  of  our  being  inferior 
at  fea>  we  niuft  either,  •  upon*  the 
return  of  our  inferior  fleet,  truft 
to  its  beating  the  fuperior  fleet  of 
the  enemy,  or  the  confequence 
jwft  J>e  fatal  t©  the  befleged  dock*- 
yards— for  it  was  exprefbly  ftatesi 
in  -the  report,  that  the  defence  of 
for tfmouth  and  Plymouth  was.  cak 
violated  only  agaitji  the  force,  and 
/or  the  /hue  ftated  in  the  data.  But, 
hy  fuppofition,  the  enemy  was.  to 
Jhave  the  fuperior  fleet ;  and  would 
4he .  inferior  fleet  either  be  abfent 
.  ax  be  beat,  they  would  then,  be- 
ing mailers  of  the  fea,  obvioufly 
liave  it  in  .their  power  to  recruit 
dheir  own  army,  to  continue  the 
^iege,  and  to  keep  the  other  expofed 
$>arts  of  the  kingdom  in  fuch  check 
.and  alarm,  as  thereby  to  prevent 
the  poflibility  of  our  aflembling  a 
force  fufHcient  to  raife  it.  From 
Jience  it  would  follow  of  courfe,  that 
^whenever  the  army  of  the  enemy 
ibould  by.thefe  means  either  exceed 
*be  number  fuppofed,  or  that  the 


time  ibould  be  prolonged  beyond 
the  period  calculated  in  the  data,  the 
whole  of  this  effectual  feenrity  would 
vanifh  under  the  very  reafons  given 
for  its  fupport,  and  we  ihould  have 
prepared  a  flrong  hold  in  our  own 
country  for  the  enemy,  which,  from 
the  very  circumstances  under  which 
he  was  fuppofed  to  have  taken  it, 
he  would  be  enabled  for  ever  to 
maintain. 

.  After  a  long  difouffion  of  the  fuh^ 
je£t,  the  houfe  divided  on  the  ori» 
ginal  motion,  as  moved  byMr.  Pitt ; 
Ayes,  169  j  Noes,  169.  The  num- 
bers being  thus  equal,  the  fpeaker* 
as  is  ufual  upon  fuch  occafions,  was. 
called  upon  to  give  his  catting  vote, 
which  he  gave  againft  the  origins- 
motion. 

An  alteration  in-  it*  ,»  rtAft 
troduced  into  the  mu-  M^ch  *oth* 
tiny  bill,  for  the  purpofe  of  fubject- 
ing  officers  who  held  commilfions  l>y 
brevet  to  military  law,  was  ftrongly 
oppofed  in  both  boufes  of  parlia- 
ment. It  appears  that  the  earliefi 
jnutiny  bills  included  every  officer; 
"  muttered  or  in  pay  as  an  officer, 
or  on  half-pay."  The  inemflon  of 
the  laft  defcription  of  officers  occa- 
sioned in  thole  times  fome  jealoufy 
and  uneaflnefe  without  doors,  as  an 
unneceflary  extenfion  of  the  mili- 
tary law,  and  was  the  fubje&  of 
frequent  debates  in  both  h'oufes  of 
parliament;  and  in  the  year  1748L 
that  part  of  the  claufe  was  omitted, 
and  has  been  left  out  of  the  mutiny 
bill  ever  rlnce.  In  the  prefent  bill* 
inftead  of  the  word  "  muftered," 
the  word  "  commiflioned "  was  in- 
ferted,  by  which  alteration  all  thofe. 
officers  who  had  commiflions  by. 
brevet,  although/ out  of  the  fervice, 
were  made  fubjed  to  the  regulations, 
of  the  a&.  ' 

.  /The  general   ground  on  which 


by  Google 


& 


HISTORY   OF   EOR0P6, 


tVn  alteration  was  fupportecl,  was> 
tfbafc  though  fuch  officers  received  no 
yay  from  the  crown,  yet  as  they 
anghtpoffibly  be  inverted  with  co*fc- 
fnand,  it  wa&  Heeefiary  they  Aonld 
be  made  fubjeft  to  be  tried  by 
courts  martial,  in  cafe  of  milbeha^ 
viour  while  in  command ;  and  that 
there  were  alfo  many  other  military 
officers  who  were  not  muttered,  fiten 
as  governors,  lieutenant  -governors, 
Ire.  who  might  eventually  exercife 
Command;  and  that  it  was  highly 
reafonffWe  that  they  IhouM,  on  that 
account,  become  fifmeftabie  to  miln 
tary  law  $  and  laftly,  two  particu- 
lar inftances,  whkh :  had  lafely  oc- 
curred.. '  were  alledred  as  proofs  of 
the  expediency  of  the  meamre  pro-* 
pofed:— col.  Stuart,  a  major-gene- 
ral by  brevet  in  the  Eaft  Indies, 
had  in  that  quality  taken  upon  him 
the  command  of  the  army  in  the 
fettlement  in  which  he  was  Upon 
<fervice,  and  had  neverthelefs  not 
been  deemed  liable  to  be  tried  by 
a  court-martial,  had  any  part  of  his 
conduit  required  that  he  mould  be 
tried.  The  fecond  mftance  was 
that  of  gen.  Rofs,  in  which,  upon 
a  reference  to  the  judges,  they  were 
tmanimoufry  of  opinion,  that  offi- 
cers holding  comraiflaons  by  brevet 
were  not  liable  to  fce  tried  by  a 
court-martial. 

In  reply  to  thefe  obfervations,  it 
was  urged,  that  [the  whole  lyftem  of 
martial  Jaw,  as  it  infringed  upon 
the  natural  and  constitutional  rights 
of  the  fubjeclr,  was  only  deferifible 
upon  the  ftrict  ground  of  neceffity, 
and  ought  therefore,  in  times  of 
peace  more  especially,  to  be  nar- 
rowed if  pofiibfe,  inftead  of  being 
extended.  That  the  general  prin- 
ciple, as  recognized  both  in  the 
"theory  and  practice  of  our  conftitu- 
#ion,  was,  that  military  law  ihould 
x 


j>9 


be  confined  to  aflhal  ffia&fclry  ftr* 
wee  alone.  That  in  ancient  times; 
when  eyery  man  bore  arms*;  and  was 
liable  to  be  catted  forth,  military 
law  was  exercifed  upoft  every  man 
while  he  was  irt  a&ual  fervice,  but 
no  longer.  Thus  thofe  princes  wh,o 
had  little,  power  in  their  dominions', 
in  refpect  to  civil  government;  en* 
joyed  and  exercifed- almoft  an  tmlfc 
mited  authority  when  at  the  head  of 
their  fubje6fe,  collected  and  embo* 
died  as  an  army,  which  again  al* 
ways  oeafed  with  the  occafloft  thaft 
madeit neceflary.  That inour times* 
the  militia  were  under  milfWy  law 
when  embodied  as'  a  militia,  but 
were  freed  from  it  affei*  they  re- 
turned into  the  mafs  of  the  people, 
and  the  character  of  the  foldier*  was 
funk  rn  that  of  the  citizen.  That 
the  officers  on  half-pay,  though  at 
firft  included  in  the  mutiny  act,  had 
been  exempted  from  its  operation 
by  the  deliberate  voice  of  both  houfes 
of  parliament :  circumftances  which 
clearly  proved,  that  the  prevalent 
ide.a  in  all  ages  had  been  to  oorrfrne 
military  law  to  actual  military  fer- 
vice. 

It  was  further  urged,  that  thera 
was  a  peculiar  hardship  and  ift- 
juftiee  in  fubjefting  men  in  civil 
life,  and  who  derived  no  emolu* 
ment  from  the  rank  which  they  held 
kl  the  army,  to  be  tried  by  courts^ 
martial,  not  only  for  offences  at 
this  time  known  and  defined  in  the. 
articles  of  war  to  be  military  of- 
fences, but  for  offences  as  yet  un- 
known, which  his  majefty  had  the 
power  hereafter  t6  create.  That 
the  act  exprefsjy  ordered  that  the 
articles  of  war  Ihould  be, read  twice 
in  every  month  at  the  head  of  every 
regiment  in  the  army ;  that  this 
meafure  was  douhtlefs  thought  ne* 
eeuary,  for  the  purpofe  of  making 

1  them 


Digitized  by  UOO( 


no"j      A  N  N  U  A  L  REG  IiS  TE&,  178^. 


them  familial4! y  known  to  all  ivhtf 
were  liable  to  be  affected  by  them* 
and  was  therefore  a  clear  proof  that 
the  mutiny  act,  under  which  the 
king  derives  his  authority  to  make 
fuch  articles  of  war  as  he  pleafed, ' 
.was  never  defigned  to  be  extended 
to  brevet  officers,  or  officers  on  half- 
pay?  and  that  at  leaft,  if  the  inner- 
vation propofed  fliould  be  per  lifted  in> 
thofe  gentlemen  fhould  be  apprized 
of  their  being  about  to  be  made 
fubject  to  trial  by  court-martial  ,for 
a  variety  of  offences,  which  at  pre* 
fent>  in  their  civil  fituation,  were 
not  offences. 

In  addition  to  thefe  arguments, 
it  was  alio  remarked,  that  the  pre* 
amble  to  the  mujiny  act  confined 
the  Handing  army  to  a  limited  num- 
ber of  men,  to  be  paid  by  the  pub* 
lie  j. and  that  the  propofed  alteration 
would  faliify  the  preamble,  by  ena- 
bling the  executive  government  to 
exercife  military  authority  over  an 
additional  body  of  men  not  in  the 
pay  of  the  pubjic.  In  fine,  both 
houfes  were  called  upon  not  to  fuf- 
fer  that  jealoufy  to  be.  laid  aileep, 
with  which  parliament,  ever  fince 
a  Handing  army  in  peace  was  firft 
ftirTered  to  exilt,  had  always  re- 
garded it:  and  to  take  care  left, 
under  pretence  oi  providing  againft 
fanciful  inconveniences,  they  did 
not  connive  at. a  ferious  attack  upon' 
the  moft  important  principles  of  the 
con  fti  tut  ion. 

hi  the  houfe  of  lords,  the  bill 
was  oppofed  in  two  fubiequent  de*- 
bates,  with  great  eloquence  and 
ability,  by  the  earl- of  Carlifle,  lord 
Stormi'iit,  and  lord  Loughborough^ 
the  rirft  of  whom  propofed,  in  or- 
der to  obviate  the  diiiicuity  of  a 
brevet  officers  fucteeding  to  com- 
mand without  being  amenable  to 
military  law,  that  a  clauie  ihould 


be  added,  enacting,  that  brevet  6f* 
ficers  fhould  not  take  command  but 
by  virtue  qf  a  letter  of  fervice., ,  or 
fome  fpecial  commiffibn  from  his 
majefty  This  •  propofal  not  being 
accepted,  lord  Stormont  moved,  that 
in  Head  ©f  the  word  ."  commifiion-? 
ed"  thefe  words  ihould  be  infer  ted* 
**  muttered,  or  called  by  proper  au- 
thority jnto  fervice  j"  this  amend- 
ment, he  conceived,  would  do  away 
the  objections  entertained  againft 
the  propofed  innovation,  and  would 
furely  comprehend  all  that  the  exe- 
cptive  government  could  poffibly 
defire*  ;• 

.'The  cjaujfe;  as  originally  framedi 
was  defended  by^the  lord  chancel- 
lor, ohieflypn  the  ground  that  all 
the  king's  :  forces>  however  confti- 
tuted,  ought  to  be  fubject  to  the 
fame  laws  j  tfcat  the  diftinctioh  be- 
tween an  officer  by  brevet  out  of 
fervice,  and  an  officer  in  actual  fer- 
vice, was  an  unfair  diftinction  witlfr 
refpect  to  the  latter.  If  gentlemen 
chofe  to  have  the  advantage  of  mi- 
litary rank,  tl)ey,  ought  to  hold  it 
on  the  condition  of  being  fubject  to 
military  law;  and  if  they  diilikcd 
that  condition,  they  might  eafe 
themfelves  of  the  grievance  by  re- 
figning  their  commillions. 

This  argument  introduced  ano- 
ther topic  of  difcuffion.  It  was  afk- 
ed,  whether  an  officer  might  not*  in 
actual  fervice,,  give  up  his  commif- 
fion  whenever  he  pleafed  ?  It  was 
anfwered  by  lord  Loughborough* 
^that  fuch  a  resignation  "was  fubject 
to  his  majetfy's  acceptance  ;  and  in 
this  opinion  the  lord  chancellor  con- 
curred, but  added,  no  minifter,  un- 
der the  circum  fiances  defcribed, 
could  advife  his  majefiy  not  to  ac- 
cept foch  a  refignation.  On  the  di- 
vifion  there  appeared  for  the  original 
clauie  42/  againfi  it  20. 

CHAP. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OE   EUROPE.       N  \ut 


CHAP. 


VI. 


Mr^tUt's  motion  voitb.tcfpeft  tithe  reduction  af  the  national  debt.    Report  of  u 
.    Jeleft, committee  relative  so  the  annual  income  #ttd  expenditure  of  t  be  ft  ate.    Sup- 
plies and  ways  and  means  for  the  current  year.    BiU  brought  in  thy  Mr.  Pitt  to 
'  form  a  faking  fund  of ' fine  flti Won  annually*  to  he  vefied  in  commijjioners,  and  to  he 
applied  to  the  reduSion  of  ike  national  debt ;  debates  theieon  ;  refolutions  moved  by 
Mrt  Sheridan  negatived  \\  an  amendment  .moved  by  Mr.  Fox,  and  agreed  to  *with- 
•  >.cut  a  divifion;  the  Bill  pajfes  bath  houfes  of  parliament ,  and  receives  the  royal 
4:   afftnt.    Mr.  Pitt"s  Bill  for  transferring  the  duties  on  imms  from  the  cuftoms  to  the 
>•    e»afe%  debatfs  thereon^  a  nevj  claufe,  moved  by  Mr.  Beaufoy,  negatived;  the 
Mil  carried  up  to  the  houfe  cf  lords -,  debates  upon  it  there^ ;  paffed.    MrrfittyBM, 
~     empowering- cdmmtffioneri  to  enquire  into  the  fiate  of,  and  to  feU,  the  eronjbn  lands'} 
debates  thereon. 9  amendments  moved  by  Mr.  Jolliffe  agreed  to  ;*  the 'Bill  carried  up 
to  the  lords )  debates  thereon  $    carried  on  a  divifion*,  ^proteft  ensered  agdinfi  it. 
-:  Bill  brought  in  by  Mr.  Marfbamto  extend  the  difqualifications  in  Mr:  Cteive*s  BiU 
toperfons  holding  places  under  4b t  navy  and  ord&ance  offices  $  'Mates  thereon  \  ni* 
.   gativfed  on  a  divifion.  .  ,.*>..  . 


l^yTR;  Fitt  had  eaYiy  in  tWs 
JSrjL  fefliori  taken  notice  of  that 
part  of  his  maj'eftyVfpeech  which 
orelated  to  the  necefliry^vf  providing 
•fbi?  the  diminution  of  the  national 
debt  j  be  had  at  thfc  fame  time 
.given;  the  houfe  to  under<liand*  tfhtft 
fuch  was  the  prefent  flourifhin£ 
condition  of  the  revenue,  that  the 
annual  national  income  would  riot 
only  equal  the  annual  national  difr 
burfements,  but  would  leave  a  fur- 
plus  of  confiderable  magnitude; 
this  furplus,  he  faid,  he  meant  to 
form  into  a  permanent  fund,  to  be 
conftantly  and  invariably  applied 
to  the  liquidation  of  the  public 
debt.  In  purmance  of  this  infor- 
mation to  the  houfe,  and  in  order  (o 
dicertain  the  amount  of  the  furplus 
in  queftion,  Mr.  Pitt,  previous  to 
his  entering  into  the  ftate  of  the 
finances,  or  ways  and  means  for 
the  prefent  year,  moved,  tc  That 
the  feveral  accounts  and  other  pa- 
pers prefented  that  fetiion,  relating 
to  the  public  income  and  expendi- 


ture, be  referred  to  the  confederation. 
<of  a  felect  couimittefe,  ahd  that  the 
-feid  committee  be  directed  to*  exa- 
mine and  report  to  the  houfe,  what 
might  be  expected  to  be  the  annual 
farrfoduH'of  the  income  ahd^ipend?- 
ture  in  future." 

This  motion-  was  urianlmoufrjr 
agreed  to,  and  the  fele&  committee 
having  framed  their  report,  laid  it 
before  the  houfe  on  the  21ft  of 
March  :  Mr.  Pitt  on  the  29th,  to- 
gether with  the  fupplies  and  ways 
and  means  for  the  prefent  year, 
.  brought  the  coniideration  of  the  na- 
tional debt,  and  his  propofition  for  • 
the  diminution  of  it,  formally  before 
the  houfe. 

Before  we  enter  upon  this  fub- 
jecl,  it  may  not  be  amifs  to  give  a 
fhort  abftract  of  the  report  in  que- 
ftion,  as  the  whole  jut  and  fubftance 
of  the  arguments  and  reafoning 
upon  the  meal  ore  are  founded 
upon  it.  The  committee  prefaced 
their  report  with  observing,  that 
«  Havtag  proceeded  to  the  conii- 
.  '  •  deration 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


no}       ANNUAL   REGISTER*  1786. 


deration  of  the  matters  referred  to 
them  by  the  houfe,  they  had  ar- 
ranged fereral  papers-  relating 
thereto  under  diftind  heads,  con- 
taining die  different  articles  of  the 
public  income  and  expenditure. 

But  that  before  they  entered  on>' 
fhe  firft  part  of  their  report,  they 
thought  it  neceifery  to  premiie, 
that  they  had  confined  their  exami-* 
nation  to  the  present  date  of  the  re- 
venue, as  it  appeared  either  from 
the  amount  anally  received  in  the 
periods  contained  in  the  papers  ro* 
ferred  to  them,  or  from  the  bed  es- 
timates which  they  could  form  of 
the  produce  of  rach  articles  as  had 
not  been  brought  to  account  ra  thofe 
periods*  but  eompofe  neverthelefe»a 
part  of  the  prefent  income  of  the 
public.  The  large  amount  of 
taxes  impofed  fince  the  commence- 
ment of  the  late  war,  in  addition  to 
the  then  fubfifiing  revenue,  the  dif- 
ficulties under  which  the  din%ent 
branches  of  our  commerce  la- 
boured during  the  continuance  of 
that  war,  and  the  great  and  in- 
creaiing  prevalence  of  fmuggUng, 
previous  to  the  ineatures  recently 
addpted   for    its    fuppj»*eifion,    ap- 


peared to  them  to  render  any  ave- 
rages of  the  amount  of  the  revenue 
m  former  periods  in  a  great  degree 
inapplicable  to  the  prefent  fituation 
of  the  country;  en  the' other  band, 
they  dhinot  ihinh  tbenfffelve*  com- 
petent to  cHftaft  thevariouscontin-! 
gencies  which  might  in  future  Ope- 
rate to  the  inoreaie  or  diminution  of 
the  public  income :  a-  revenue  fo 
complicated  in  its  nature,  and  de- 
pending fo  much  on  the  various 
branches  of  aa  extenfive  commerce, 
nauft  always  be  liable  to  temporary 
fluctuations,  even  although  no  cir- 
cumfianccs  mould  arife  to  occasion 
any  permanent  alteration  in  its  pro- 
duce; that,  they  had  therefore 
judged  it  proper  to  fubmit  to  the 
wifdomof  the.houie  fuob  an  exten- 
live  confideration,  and  to  flare  in 
their-  report  the  prefent  amopnt  of 
the  public  income,  as  refulting  from 
the  papers  before  them. 

After  making  all  the  neceflary 
.deductions,  the  feveral  articles  of 
the  annual  public  receipt  and  ex- 
penditure, from  Michaelmas  1784 
to  Michaelmas  1785,  and  from  Ja- 
nuary 1785  to  January,  1786,  flood 
in  the  report  as  follows : 


RECEIPT 


Digitized  by  VjOOQiC 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


["3 


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igitized  by  CjOOQ  l£\ 


ii4]     ANNUAL   REGISTER,   1786. 


Mr.  Pitt  opened  the  fubject  a^ 
large,  and  ^with  confiderabje  ability, 
claffing  and  arranging  the  different 
articles  under  their  feveral  heads  with 
great  clearnefs  and  perfpicuify.  He 
began  with  obferving,  that  the  ne- 
t  cefiky  we  were  under  of  adopting 
ibme  means  or  other  for  the  dimi- 
nution of  our  national  debt,  was  a 
point  upon  which  all  periods  and 
parties  were  univerfally  agreed  j  as 
to  the  quantum  of  the  fund  to  be 
provided,  it  was  as  univerfally  agreed 
that  not  lefs  than  a  million  annually 
ought  to  be  appropriated  for  that 
purpofe. 

From  the  report  before  the  houfe, 
to  which  he  paid  the  higheft  com- 
pliments, might  be  feen,  he  faid, 
what  were  the  means  of  the  country 
for  effectuating  this  purpofe.  It 
exhibited  at  one  view  the  whole 
national  finance,  including  the  in- 
come and  the  expenditure  of  the 
ltate. 

The  committee  had  taken  two 
periods  from  which  to  afcertain  the 
annual  amount  of  the  revenue  5  the 
one  the  year  ending* at  Michaelmas 
1785,  and  the  other  the  year  end- 
ing on  the  5th  January  1786.  In 
the  former  of  thefe  periods  the 
whole- income  wr*6  13,379,1821.; 
3n  the  latter  it  was  15,397,471  L 
The  different  articles  from  which 
this  revenue  arofe,  he  obferved,  were 
next  to  be  attended  to  j  they  were 
all  branches  of  the  revenue  payable 
yearly,  but  feveral  of  them  had  not 
yet  been  received  into  the  exche- 
quer) at  the  fame  time  he  added, 
that  fuch  as  had  not  yet  been  re- 
ceived, being  levied  by  alTefTments, 
were  on  that  account  as  capable  of 
being  afcertained  by  fuch  affeff- 
ments,  as  if  they  had  been  actually 
received.  Thus  the  net  money  al- 
ready received  into  the  exchequer 


for  the  year  ending  Michaelmas 
1785  was  11,874,2131.;  and  for 
the  year  ending  in  January  1786, 
12,042,0001.  the  other  yearly 
funis,  which  he  Hated  from  the  re- 
port, as  calculated  from  affeffment*, 
and  yet  to  be  received,  wouid,  he 
faid,  when  added  together,  amount, 
in  the  year  ending  at  Michaelmas 
1785,  to  3,365,0001;  which*  ad- 
ded to  the  receipts  for  that  year, 
11,874,0001.  would  produce  above 
15,3790001.  In  the  fame  man- 
ner the  affeffed  yearly  furas  to  be 
received  for  the  year  ending  in 
January  1786  would  together  make 
5,354,oool.  'which,  added  to  the 
money  actually  received  in  that 
year,  'Would  produce  15,397,0001. 
Having  thus  before  them  the  whole 
annual  income  of  the  ftate,  it  re- 
mained to  consider  what  was  the 
annual  expenditure  j  it  would  ap- 
pear from  the  report  to.  amount  to 
14,477,003 1.  This  fum,  he  ob- 
ferved, was  of  a  two-fold  nature, 
confiding  of  fuch  items  as  might 
be  exactly  afcertained,  and  fuch  as 
were  fluctuating.  Under  the  firft 
head,  be  included  the  intereft  of 
the  national  debt,  9,275.769 1. ;  ex- 
chequer bills  258,0001.;  the  civil 
lift  900,000 1. ;  the  charges  on 
the  aggregate  fund  64,600  1. ;  and^ 
appropriated  duties  66,538 1. ;  a- 
mounting  together  to  10,564,907  11 
Under  the  lafl  head  he  claffed  the 
charges  of  the  navy,,  army,  ord- 
nance, militia,  and  mifcellaneous 
fervices,  which  from  their  nature 
were  fluctuating  and  uncertain.  But 
as  the  committee,  in  calculating  the 
expences  of  the  differen  t  fervices,  had 
purpofely  gone  upon  the  largeft  and 
moft  extenfive  eftablifhments,  it 
would  be  but  reafonabje  to  fuppofe 
that  the  real  expences  would  fall 
fliort  of  thofe  ftated  in  the  report/ 

thefe 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OF   EUROPE. 


["* 


Thefe  fluctuating  expences  of  the 
navy,  army,  ordnance,  militia,  and 
niifcellaaeous  fervices,  the  report 
had  ftated   at  3,913,2741.   whiclC 

,  added  to  the  fum  of  10,564,9671. 
tinder  the.firft  head  of  permanent 
•xpences,  makes  the  whole  of  the 

-  expenditure  14,478,181 1. ;  which, 
dedufted  from  15,397,0001.  the 
amount  of  the  income,  left  a  furplus, 
of  about  900,000 1.  towards  the 
.difcharge  of  the  national  debt.  But 
in  order  to  make  tip  the  remaining 
iooyoool.  it  would  be  neceflary  to 
Jevy  frefli  taxes  to  that  amount,  to 
compleat  what  feemed  to  be  uni- 
verfally  received  as  the  fum  which 
ought  to  be  applied  to  the  purpofe 
in  queftion,,  viz.  one  million  annu- 
ally. This  he  meant  to  do  by  ad- 
ding one  penny  per  gallon  to  the 
duty  on  fpirits,  as  it  now  flood,  and 
which  had  been  reduced  5  d.  per 
gallon  on  the  old  duty  by  a  late 
aft.  of  parliament.  This  tax  he 
fhould  calculate  at  60  or  70,000 1. 
per  ann.  He  mould  next  propoie 
'an  alteration  in  the  mode  of  mea- 
furing  deals  and  battens,  with  a  view 
of  correcting  certain  abufes,  which 
at  prefent  tended  to  defraud  £he 
revenue.  From  this  regulation,  he 
faid,  20  or  30,0001.  per  annum 
would  arife  to  the  public.  Laftly, 
he  would  propofe  a  tax  on  hair 
powder  and  pomatums,  which  might 
bring  in  from  15  to  30,000  1.  per 
annum.  Thus,  agreeable  to  the 
ftatement  made  in  the  report,  there 
Would  be  a  clear  fufplus  of  at  leaft 
a  million '  annually,  for  a  finking 
fund, 'to  be  applied  to  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  national  debt. 

Mr.  Pitt  next  proceeded  to  ob- 
ferve,  that  the  amount  of  the  ex- 
penditure, as  ftated  in  the  report, 
with  refpeft  to  the  navy,  army,  and 
ordnance,  although  it  was  large  and 


ample,  as  calculated  for  times  of 
peace,  and  as  they  were  to  ftand  in 
future,  yet  that  it  fell  infinitely 
ihort  of  what  was  the  aftual  expen- 
diture for  thofe  eftablifhments  fot 
the  prefent  year,  or  what  would  be 
fp  for  two  or  three  years  to  come. 
The  effects'  of  the  late  tedious  and 
expeniive  war,  he  faid,  would  be 
felt  for  fome  time  longer,  and  the 
necefTary  claims  it  had  left  on  the 
public  purfe  were  fuch  as  it  was 
wife  and  politic  to  comply  withj 
thus, .  for  inftance,  the  naval  half- 
pay  and  peniion  lifts  were  unavoid- 
ably much  increafed,  and  a  number 
of  fhips,.  which  were  now  on  the 
ftocks,  were  to  be  compleated,  in 
order  to  fave  the  expence  that  al- 
ready had  been  incurred  by  them, 
and  which  otherwife,  from  the  total 
decay  of  the  veffels,  would  be  loft. 
?y  fuch  means  the  allowance  for 
the  navy,  which  according  to  the 
report  was  only  1,800,000 1.  a- 
mounted  in  the  prefent  year  to 
2,400,000 1.  In  the  fame  manner 
the  exceedings  of  the  army,  arifing 
from  the  fame  enormous  increafe  of 
the  half-pay  lift,  and  penfion  lift, 
amounted  to  260,000 1.  over  and 
above  the  fum  allowed  for  that  fer* 
vice  in  the  report.  The  whole  of 
thefe  exceedings  in  the  army  and 
navy,  on  their  prefent  eftablifhment, 
above  what  was  ftated  in  the.  re- 
port as  the  amount  of  their  pc*» 
manent  expenditure,  was  above 
,750,000 1.  This  was  a  fum,  which 
from  its  very  nature  would  gradu- 
ally diminilh,  and  in  time  be  re- 
duced to  nothing.  Supposing  it  to 
laft  four  years,  it  would  then  be 
equal  to  a  fum  of  5,000,0001. 
For  this  ftm  a  provifion  was  nece£* 
fary.j  but  he  added,  fuch  were  the 
extraordinary  refources  of  .the  c6un- 
try,  although  not  immediately  ca- 
[#]  a  pahle 


digitized  by  G00gle 


n6]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


.pable  of  being  clafled  under  anv 
certain  head  of  revenue,  that  it 
would  be  urnieceflary  to  lay  any 
frefh  burthens  on  the  people  for  that 
purpofe. 

Mr.  Pitt  took  this  opportunity  of 
entering  at  large  into  the  actual 
and  probable  refources  of  the  coun- 
try. He  firft  ftated  the  furplus  on 
the  feveral  funds,  and  the  army 
favings,  at  450,0001.  the  arrears  ftilL 
due  from  paymafters  at  i,ooo,oool.  j 
a  lottery,  if  it  mould  be  thought 
proper  to  have  one,  at  140,000 1, : 
a  great  deal,  he  faid,  was  to  be  ex- 
pected from  the  increafe  of  the  cuf- 
toms,  which  had  been  uniform  ever 
iince  the  means  adopted  for  the  fup- 
preflion  of  fmuggling.  Other  re- 
gulations relative  to  the  cuftoms,  he 
faid,  were  now  in  agitation ,  alfo 
fuch  as  refpec\ed  the  wine  duty,  and 
above  all  a  plan  for  the  confolida- 
tion  of  the  cuftoms.  From  all  thefe 
regulations,  there  was  but  little 
doubt,  but  that  the  growing  refour- 
ces of  the  country,  and  the  contin- 
gent receipts  of  the  different  fums 
he  had  mentioned,  would  be  more 
than  fufficient,  without  a  loan,  to 
difcharge  the  exceedings  which  our 
eftablilhments,  duringtne  next  three 
or  four  years,  would  amount  to,  be- 
yorid  their  permanent  level,  as  dat- 
ed in  the  report.  But  if  it  lhould 
be  otherwife,  he  neverthelefs  was 
of  opinion,  that  money  (hould  ra- 
Hher  be  borrowed  for  the  difcharge 
of  thofe  extraordinary  >  demands, 
than  that  the.inftitut.ion  of  the  fund 
in  queftion  lhould  be  poftponed,  or 
infringed  upon  at  any  time  after  it 
was,  eftablifhed.  Mr.  Pitt  next 
proceeded  to  explain  the  mode  he 
meant  to  adopt,  in  order  to  infure 
the  due  application  of  this  fund  to 
its  deftined  object :  he  propofed, 
he  faid,  to  veil  in  a  certain  number 


of  commiflioners  the  full  power  of 
difpoling  of  it  in  the  purchafe  of 
ftock  for  the  public  in  their  pwn 
names.  Thefe  commiflioners  lhould 
receive  the  annual  million  by  quar- 
terly payments  of  250,0001.  tot  be 
iflued  out  of  the  exchequer  before 
any  other  money,  except  the  intereft 
t>f  the  national  debt  itfelf  $  by  thefe 
provifions,  the  fund  would  be  fe- 
cured,  and  no  deficiencies  in  the 
national  revenues  could  aftec"t  it,  but 
fuch  muft  be  feparately  provided  for 
by  parliament. 

The  accumulated  compound  in- 
tereft on  a  million  yearly,  together 
with  the  annuities  that  would  fall 
into  that  fund,  would,  he' faid,  in 
twenty-eight  years,  amount  to  fuch 
a  fum  as  would  leave  a  furplus  of 
four  millions  annually,  to  be  ap- 
plied, if  neceflary,  to  the  exigen- 
cies of  the  ftate.  In  appointing 
the  commiflioners  he  lhould,  he 
faid,  endeavour  to  chufe  perfons  of 
fuch  weight  and  character  as  cor- 
refponded  with  the  importance  of 
the  commiflion  they  were  to  execute. 
The  fpeaker  of  the  houfe  of  com- 
mons, the  chancellor  of  the  exche- 
quer, the  mailer  of  the  rolls,  the  go- 
vernor and  deputy  governor  of  the 
bank  of  England,  and  the  account- 
ant general  of  the  high  court  of 
•chancery,  were  perfons  who,  from 
their  feveral  lituations,  he  lhould 
think  highly  proper  to  be  of  the 
number. 

The  next  point  that  Mr.  Pitt 
confidered  was  the  fupplies  and 
<H*7)^and  meant  for  the  prefent  year, 
which  he  faid  were  in  mch  a  ftate  as 
would  enable  the  houfe  to  put  the 
plan  for  the  redu&iori  of  the  nation 
nal  debt  into  immediate,  execu- 
tion. 

:    Mr;  Pitt  ftated  the  whole  of  th* 
fup£lus,  including  a  fum  of  aio,oool. 

ff  ranted 


by  Google 


HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


[117 


granted  in  aid  of  the  civil  lift,  at, 
12,477,086*1.  The  fum  of  2io,oool. 
in  aid  of  the  civil  lift,  was  to  dis- 
charge certain  outftanding  exche- 
quer bills  to  the  amount  of  180  oool  „ 
for  which  the  civil  lift  ftood  mort-. 
gaged,  and  about  30,0001.  addi- 
tional debt,  which  it  had  incurred 
during  thelaft year.  ,The  tvays  and 
means  to  fatisfy  thefe  demands  Mr, 
Pitt  ftated  at  13,362,4801.  which 
included  5,900,000!.  by  exchequer 
bills,  to  be  iflued  for  the  purpofe  of 
paying  off  certain  exchequer  bills 
%o  the  fame  amount,  which  already 
made  part  of  the  fupplies  fpr  the 
current  year.  Agreeably  to  thi* 
calculation,  there  would,  after  de- 
ducting the  amount  of  the  fupplies 
from  the  <wajs  and  means,  remai.n  a 
furplus  of  885,3941.  This  fum,  he 
faid,  would  be  more  than  fufficient 
to  put  his  prqpofed  plan  into  im- 
mediate execution.  It  would  allow 
250,0001.  a  quarter  to  be  iflued  to 
the  commiflioners  for  the  three  Suc- 
ceeding quarters  of  the  current 
year.  The  amount  of  this  would  be 
750,0001.  which  would  leave  a  ba- 
lance for  the  beginning  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  of  135,394!. 

Mr.  Pitt,  before  he  fat  down,  en- 
tered into  a  ihort  recapitulation  of 
the  different  points  he  had  difculf- 
ed. — Firft^  That  the  yearly  income 
of  the  ftate  exceeded  the  permanent 
level  of  its  expenditure,'  by  a  fum 
of  900,000!.  Next,  that  this  fum 
would  be  increafed  to  a  million  by 
means  in  no  wife  burthenfome  to 
the  people,— Thirdly,  That  ajtho' 
the  prefent  eftabliftiment  exceeded 
in  certain  inftances  the  fame  efta- 
bliijiments  as  ftated  in  the  report  of 
the  feledt  committee,  yet  there  were 
ample  refources,  and  contingent  and 
outftanding  receipts,  fufficient  to 
overbalance  fuch  exeefies,  without 


having  recourfe  to  any  freth  taxes  : 
— And  laftly,  that  the  ways  and 
means  for  the  prefent  year  would  be* 
fufficient  to  f urn ifh  the  fupplies,  to- 
gether with  the  fum  of  250,0001. 
to  be  applied  quarterly  towards  the 
eftablifhment  of  the  new  fund ;  and,  * 
after  all,  would  leave  a  coniiderable 
balance  to  be  carried  to  the  next 
year.  Mr.  Pitt  concluded  by  mov- 
ing, «  That  the  fum  of  one  million 
be  annually  granted  to  certain  com- 
miflioners, to  be  by  them  applied  to 
the  purchafe  of  ftocks,  towards  dif- 
charging  the  public  debt  of  this 
country;  which  money  (hall  arife  out 
of  the  furplufles,  exceftes,  and  over- 
plus monies  compofing  the  fund, 
commonly  called  the  finking  fund." 
The  policy  of  the  principle  upon 
which  this  motion  was  founded,  viz. 
the  policy  of  making  the  income  of 
the  ftate  fo  far  exceed  its  expendi- 
ture as  to  leave  a  confiderable  fur- 
plus  towards  the  liquidation  of  the 
public  debt,  was  on  all  fides  univer- 
sally acknowledged,  and  it  was  ac- 
cordingly carried  in  the  affirmative 
without  a  divifion. 

At  the  fame  time  feveral  objec- 
tions were  ftated  by  Sir  Grey*  Coo- 
per, Mr.  Fox,  "Mr.  Sheridan,  and 
Mr.  HuiTey,  to  what  they  termed 
the  infufficiency,  and  in  fome  in- 
ftances the  impolicy,  of  the  mode 
which  Mr.  Pitt  had  adopted  to  ac- 
complifh  fo  great  and  fo  deurable  an 
end. 

Thefe  objections  were  of  a  two- 
fold nature  :  ill,  Such  as  tended  to 
mow  that  the  fuppofed  excefs  of 
900,0001.  in  the  national  income 
over  its  expenditure,  arofe  from 
falfe  and  miftaken  calculations  and 
conclufions  in  the  report  of  the  fe- 
lecl:  committee,  and  fuch  as  the  real 
ftate  of  the  finances  of  the  country 
by  no  means  warranted :  2d,  Such 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


u81      ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786. 


as  went  to  the  purpofed  mode  of 
applying  that  excefs  or  furplus,  pro- 
vided it  exifted.  The  fubftance  of 
.  the  different  arguments  made  ufe 
of  in  fupport  of  the  objections  which 
come  under  the  firft  of  thefe  heads 
were  as  it  were  concentered  in  a 
feries  of  refolutions  moved  by  Mr. 
Sheridan  on  the  4th  of  May,  and 
whilft  the  meature  was  in  its  paffage 
through  the  houfe. 

Theferefolutions,  which  were  ne- 
gatived without  a  division,  were,* 
ift,  "  That  the  expected  annual  a- 
mountof  the  national  income  rftated 
in  the  report  of  the  committee,  ap- 
peared in  no  refpect  to  have  been 
calculated  upon  the  average  receipts 
a£  a  number  of  years,  but  was  fixed ' 
qt  the  amount  of  the  produce  of  one 
year  only,  with  the  addition  of  the 
probable  increafe  of  the  new  taxes  : 
$d.  That  it  appeared,  that  the  ac- 
count of  the  annual  expenditure,  as 
oppofed  to  the  amount  of  the  income 
(0  calculated,  was  not  a  Hatement  of 
the  prefent  exifting  expenditure,  or 
of  that  which  muft  exift  for  fome 
years  to  come,  but  was  formed  from 
the  probable  reductions,  which  it 
was  all'edged  would  have  taken, 
place  in  the  profpect  of  permanent 
peace  towards  the  end  of  the  year 
X791:  3d,  That  the  different  bran- 
ches of  the  revenue,  in  the  period 
upon  which  the  future  was  calculat- 
ed, appeared  to  have  been  Angu- 
larly productive,  particularly  in  the 
cuftoms  :  4th,  That  it  did  not  ap- 
pear that  any  means  had  been  tak- 
en, or  information  called  for,  in 
order  to  afcertain  whether  fuch  an 
increafe  of  revenue  had  arifen  from 
caufes  which  were  likely  to  have  a 
permanent  operation,  or  otherwife ; 
^nd  that  fuch  an  investigation  was 
indifpenfably  neceflary  :  jth,  That 
the  uncertainty  of  estimating  by 
flich  a  criterion  the  expected  future 
4 


produce  of  the  revenue,  was  ftill 
more  evident  upon  a  comparifon  of 
the  quarter-day  ending  the  fifth  of 
April  laft  with  the  fame  quarter  in 
the  preceding  year  upon  which  the 
future  income  was  calculated  3 "  by 
which  it  appeared,  that  the  amount 
of  the  latter  quarter  was  inferior  in 
the  article  of  cuftoms  by  the  funa  of 
188,2 1  jl.  13s.  4d.  to  the  former  ; 
6th,   That  in  the  faid  report  there 
were  certain  articles  of  receipt  er~ 
roneoufly    ftated  as  proper-  to  be 
added  to  the  future  annual  income, 
and  other  articles  of  expence  erro-» 
neoufly  omitted  to  be  added  to  the 
expenditure :    7th,    That  the  fums 
voted  and  to  be  voted  for  the  pre- 
fent    year    confiderably    exceeded 
I5*397/47il.   8th,  that  the  means 
by  which  the  deficiency  was  to  be 
made  good    arofe   from   aids  and 
debts  that  belonged  to  the  prefent 
year  only :  9th,   That  there  was  ncy 
♦  furplus  income  now  exifting  appli-r 
cable  to  the  reduction  of  the  na- 
tional debt :    10th,  That  a  furplus 
income    in   the  enfuing    quarters 
could  arife  only  in  the  renewal  of  a 
loan  for  an  extraordinary  million, 
borrowed  upon  exchequer  bills  in 
the  laft  year,  and  which  it  would  be 
unneceffary  to  make  but  for   the 
purpofe  of  fecuring  that  furplus: 
nth,  That  an  extraordinary  increafe 
of  exchequer  bills  was  an  inexpe- 
dient anticipation  of  that  affiftance 
which  government  might  receive  in 
the  event  of  a  peculiar  emergency : 
1 2th,  That  the  faving  to  the  public 
upon  the  intereft  of  money  borrow- 
ed in  this  way  was,  rendered  preca- 
rious by  the  neceflity  of  the  rnore 
fpeedy  iffuing  of  fuch  bills,  in  or-, 
der  that  the  object  for  which   the! % 
loan  wasjnade  might*  be  effectually, 
anfwered:    13th,    That,  adrnitting 
that  by  the  foregoing  means    the 
expected  furplus  would  arife  upon 

the 


Digitized  by  VjOOQI^ 


HISTORY   OF    EUROPE. 


C"9 


the  three  enfuing  Quarters,  ittfp- 
peared,  that  there  would  then  he  an 
interval  of  nearly  four  years,  before 
the  commencement  of  that  perma- 
nent peace eftablifhment,  which  was 
to  furnifh  in  the  reduction  of  its 
fervices  the  expected  furplus :  14th, 
That  in  this  period  it  appeared  from 
the  vouchers  annexed  to  the  report 
and  other  papers,  that  a  fum  a- 
mounting  to  4,000,000].  befides 
2,000,000!.  due  to  the  bank,  would 
be  wanted  above. the  ftated  annual 
income :  Finally,  ^hat  for  this  fum 
of  6,ooo,oool.  there  appeared  to  be 
no  adequate  provifion  or  refource." 

In  fupport  of  fuch  objections  as 
were  made  to  the  mode  of  applying 
the  fuppofed  furplus,  it  was  urged, 
that  fuch  part  of  it  as  rendered  the 
fum  appropriated  unalienable  under 
any  circumftances  whatever,  was 
highly  impolitic;  that  it  tended  to 
tie  up  and  fetter  the  revenues  6f  the 
•country,  when  their  application  to 
fome  particular  purpofe  might  be  of 
the  higheft  importance.  Alfo,  that 
*  the  obligation  to  pay  the  money  was 
only  of  a  general  nature,  and  not  an 
obligation  to  individuals.  In  the 
latter  cafe  the  pledge  was  held  fa- 
cred,  and  flood  upon  as  fure  a  foot- 
ing as  the  acknowledgment  of  the 
national  debt  itfelf  5  whereas  a  ge* 
neral  obligation  wa*  liable  to  be 
annulled  by  parliament,,  upon  the 
flighted  pretence  even  of  conveni- 
ency :  —  Latily,  that  the  prefent 
large  amount  of  unfunded  exchequer 
bills;  which  were  to  be  charged  on 
the  aids  of  next  feffiori,  would  be- 
come a  great  and  ferious  evil,  as 
they  would  oblige  thecommiifioners, 
from  the  quantity  that  would  be  at 
market,  to  buy  their  ltock  dear,  and 
fell  it  cheap,  and  confequently  de- 
feat the  very  plan  in  question. 

In  fupport  of  the  firfr.  of  thefe  ob- 


jections, Mr.  Fox,  on  th6  day  for  re* 
confidering  the  report  of.  the  com- 
mittee on  *thte  bill,  moved  a  claufe 
to  impower  the  commiffioners  there- 
in named  to  accept  fo  touch  of  any 
future  loan  as  they  mould  have  cafh 
belongings  to  the  public  in  their 
hands  to  pay  for.  This,  he  faid, 
would  obviate  the  great  objection  . 
he  had  to  the  prefent  bill,  on  ac* 
couiit  of  ift  making  the  finking 
fund  unalienable  under  any  circum? 
fiances  whatever}  it  would  relievtt 
that  diftrefs  the  country  would  other* 
wife  be  under,  when,  on  account  of 
a  war,  it  might  be  necetfary  to  raife 
a  new  loan :  whenever  that  {hould 
be  the  cafe*,  his  opinion  was,  that 
the  minifter  ihould  not  only  rai& 
taxes  rafrkiently  productive  to  p*f 
the  intereft  of  the  loffn>  ButaHbfni* 
flcient  to  make  good  t^  the  taking 
fund  whatfoeve*  had  been  tak^A 
from  it. 

If  therefore,  for  inftance,  at  any 
future"  period  a  loan  of  fix  millions 
was  propofed,  and  there  was  at  that 
time  one  million  in  the  hands  of  th& 
commiffioners,  in  fueh  cafe  they 
mould  take  a  million  of  the  loan, 
and  the  bonus  or  douceur  thereupon 
mould  be  received  by  them  for  Ithe 
public.  Thus  government  wouM 
only  have  five  millions  to  borrow 
inffoad  of  fix,  and,  (rom  fuch  a  mode 
of  proceeding,  he  faid,  it  was  evi«* 
dent  great  benefit  would  arife  to  the' 
public. 

This  claufe  was  brought  up  by 
Mr.  Fox,  and  received  by  Mr.  Pitt 
with  the  ftrongeft  marks  of  appro- 
bation. Another  claufe,  enabling 
the  commifiioners  named  in  the  bill 
to  continue  purchasing  ilock  for  the 
public  when  at  or  above  £ar,  unlefs 
otherwife  directed  by  parliament, 
was  moved  by  Mr.  Pulteney,  and 
carried.  The  object  of  this  claufe 
[#]  4  was 


Digitized  by  VjOOQLC 


iao]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

the  demand  for  foreign  wines,  not' 
only  increafe  the  revenue,  but  ex- 
tend in  return  the  fale  of  the  various 
articles  of  our  home  trade,  or  it 
would  oblige  the  fpurious  commo- 
dity to  pay  the  fame  duties  as  the 
genuine,  and  not-  iufter  both  the 
confumer  and  the  revenue  to  be 
cheated  at  the  fame  time.  The 
bill  would  likewife  infure  the  pay- 
ment of  all  duties  impofed  on  fuch 
foreign  wines  as  fhould  hereafter  be 
imported. 

The  carrying  this  improvement 
into  execution  by  means  of  the  ex- 
cife  laws,  Mr.  Pitt  was  aware,  would 
be  regarded  with  an  eye  of  jealoufy 
by  the  houfe ;  but  the  bill  fpecially 
provided  againft  any  general  ex  ten- 
lion  of  the  excife  laws,  and  only 
permitted  the  officers  of  excife  to 
enter  the  cellars  and  warehoufes  of 
fuch  as  dealt  in  wine,  and  not  the 
dwelling-houfes  even  of  thofe. 

The  bill  was  objected  to  upon 
two  grounds  :  fir  ft,  on  the  difficulty 
of  applying  the  excife  laws  to  fuch 
a  commodity  as  wine ;  and  fecond- 
ly,  on  the  impolicy  of  ever  extend- 
ing thole  laws  beyond  their  prefent 
limits. 

Under  the  firft  head  it  was  con- 
tended, that  the  practice  of  gaug- 
ing, fo  applicable  to  brewers,  jvas 
perfectly  incompatible  with  refpect 
to  fuch  an  article  as  wine ;  that  the 
continual  increafe  and  diminution 
of  the  traders  flock  would  baffle 
the  endeavours  of  the  officers  to  keep 
a  regular  account  of  it,  and  yet  the 
whole  fyflem  of  excife  regulation 
was  founded  on  that  principle. 

But  the  objections  which  arofe 
from  the  very  nature  and  operation 
of  the  excife  laws  themlelves  were 
much  more  warmly  infilled  upon. 
The  mode  of  trial  adopted  by  thole 
laws,  with  reipect  to  offences  com- 
mitted 


to  throw.upon  parliament  the 
refponfibility  of  giving  frefh  in- 
frructions  to  tbe  commiffioners, 
"whenever  the  funds  fhould  be  at  or 
above  par,  or  in  cafe  of  its  neglect- 
ing to  do  fo,  to  render  the  confe- 
qiiences  imputable  to  fuch  neglect. 

The  bijl,  with  thefe  additional 
claufes,  was  read  a  third  time  on  the 
15th  of  May,  and  carried  up  to  the 
lords,  where  it  alfo  paifed  without 
meeting  with  any  material  oppofi- 
tion,  and  afterwards  received  the 
royal  aflent. 
vr^.    1  On'the  22d  of  May, 

r>86        Mr'  Pitt  P*efented  a  b[l1 
'  for.  transferring  certain 

duties  on  wines  from,  the  cuftoms  to 
the  excife.  -  This  was  one  of  the 
plans  he  had  in  view  for  increafing 
the  revenue,  and  which"  he  had  be- 
fore given  the  houfe  notice  of,  when 
he  propofed  the  finking  fund  of  a 
million  annually. 

The  prefent  amount  of  duties  on 
Wines,  he  faid,  was  at  this  moment 
lefs,  by  28o,oool.  per  annum,  than 
what  had  been  the  amount  in  the 
middle  of  the  laft  century ;  and  yet 
at  the  fame  time  there  was  no  doubt, 
but  that  the  confumption  of  that  ar- 
'  tide  was  confiderably  increafed  fince 
that  period. 

This  defalcation  he  attributed  to 
two  caufes :  mil,  the  fraudulent 
importation  of  large  quantities  of 
foreign  wine  without  paying  the 
duties;  and  fecondly,  which  he 
looked  upon  as  the  principal  caufe, 
the  fale  of  a  fpurious  liquor  under 
the  name  of  wine,  made  at  home. 
Thefe  caufes,  he  faid,  would  be  re- 
moved by  the  operation  of  the  pre- 
fent bill  j  which,  by  impoiing  da- 
ties  upon  the  fpurious  equal  to  thofe 
on  the  genuine  commodity,  would 
either  fupprefs  the  former,  as  was 
molt  likely,  and  thereby  increafing 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


[121 


milted  again  ft  than,  were  repro- 
bated, as  foreign  and  abhorrent  to 
the  law  of  the  land.    It  was  urged, 

«.  that  the  commiflioners  of  the  excife 
were  themfelves  the  fole  judges 
between  the  officer  informing  and 
the  fuppofed  offender  >  that  the  in- 
former was  concerned  in  the  con- 
viction, as  he  had  by  law  ope  half 
of  the  commodity  forfeited.  Added 
to  this,  the  proceedings  were  fo 
fummary,  that  only  three  days 
were  allowed  for  the  appearance  of 
perfons  fummoned  to  anfwer  before^ 
the  commiflioners  :  that  the  par- 
ticulars of  the  charge  itfelf  were 
not^  fpecified  in  the  fummons, 
-which  might  be  left  with  a  fer-, 
vant  or  a  child,  or  in  the  key-hole 
of  the  door.  Under  thefe  circum- 
ftances  it  was  ftated  to  be  very  pof- 
lible  that  the  acculed  might  be 
condemned  without  knowing  that 
be  was  to  be  tried ;  and  the  exe- 
cution of  the  fentence  might  be  the 
&ft  notice  he  *had  of  the  charge. 
.  Jn  fupport  of  thefe  objections, 
and  in  order  to  obviate  as  much  as 
poffible  the  evils  which  were  in- 
volved in  the  execution  of  the  ex- 
cife laws,  Mr.  Beaufoy  propofed, 
as  an.  amendment,  "  to  give,  the 
i€  fubje&,  in  all  cafes  of  an  in- 
"  formation  exhibited  in  purfu- 
*•'  ance  of  the  bill  in  queftion,  an 
"  optional  right  of  being  tried  by 
«'  a  jury  of  his  peers." 

This  amendment  was  oppofed  by 
Mr.  Pitt,  and  on  a  division  nega- 

\  tived  by  a  majority  of  6j  —  the  num- 
bers being  for  it  30,  again  11  it  95. 
The  bill,  without  receiving  any* 
material  alterations,  was  read  a  third 
time  on  the  29th  of  June,  and  carried. 
In  its  pailage  through  the  houfe 
of  lords  it  met  with  a  coniiderable 
degree    of    oppoiition    from    lord 


Loughborough,  who,  in  addition 
to  what  had  been  urged  againft  tho 
general  principle  of  the  bill,  at- 
tacked with  a  peculiar  degree  of 
feverity  a  claufe  which  had  been 
introduced  into  the  bill  whilft  in 
the  committee.  The  purport  of 
this  claufe  was,  to  prohibit  the 
jury,  in  cafe  of  any  fuit  com* 
menced  againft  an  officer  of  the 
excile  for  improper  feizure.  an<J\ 
the  officer  being  able  to  (new  a 
-probable  caufe  for  fuck  feizure,  to 
grant  the  plaintiff  a  verdict,  exclu- 
iive  of  the  value  of  the  things  feized, 
of  more  than  two-pence  damages,  or 
any  cofts  of  fuit,  or  to  inflict  a  fine 
that  fhould  exceed  one  milling. 
This,  his  lord  Hup  faid,  rendered 
nugatory  every  appeal  made  to  tho 
laws  of  the  land  for  redrefs.  fys 
to.  the  term  a  probable  caufe  falfe 
information '  was  a  probable  caufe, 
and  that  might  continually  be 
alligned;  thus  the  rights  and 
powers  of  juries  were  infringed,- 
and  they  were  made  mere  cyphers ; 
the  excifeman  was  placed  beyond 
their  jarifdidion,  ana  might  laugh 
both  at  them  and  the  courts  in 
Weftminfter-hall .  In  the  courfe  of 
his  fpeech  he  particularly  addreiTed 
himlelf  to  the  earl  of  Camden,  as 
a  perfon  who  had  ever  defended  the 
rights  of  juries,  and  without  chang- 
ing his  former  opinion  on  the  fub-r 
je6t,  could  not  acquiefce  in  the 
claufe  in  queftion.  Lord  Camden, 
in  return,  confeifed  that  the  claufe 
was  far  from  meeting  with  his  ap- 
probation 5  but  as  any  alteration 
would  deftroy  the  bill  for  the  pre- 
fent  feffion,  he  mould  rather  give 
way  to  the  claufe  in  Queftion,  than 
fet:  a-iide  the  whole  bill,  which 
would  beVthe  cafe  if  any  amend* 
ment  took&nJace. 

^^  The 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


*sa)        ANNUA.L   REGIS  T\E  ft,  1786. 


The  bill  afterwards  paffed  with* 
pal  a  divifion. 

Mr.  Pitt,  on  the  20th  of  June, 
m  confequenceofa  previous  mefTage 
from  his  majefty  to  both  houfes  of 
parliament,  movedS  "That  leave 
**  be  >given  to  bring  in  a  bill  for 
"  appointing  commiffioners  to  en- 
**  quire  into  the  ftate  and  condi- 
•*  tion  of  the  woods,  forefts,  and, 
"  land  revenues,  belonging  to  the 
"  crown."  The  bill  was  read  a 
Hxfk  and  fecond  time  without  hav- 
ing any  particular  notice  taken  of 
it,  or  at  all  challenging  the  atten- 
-  tion  of  the  houfe.  Upon  its  being 
reported  on  the  29th  of  June,  Mr. 
Jolliflfe  ftrongly  objected ,  to  its  fur- 
ther progrefs.  The  commiffioners 
appointed  by  the  bill  were,  he 
iaid,  to  continue  in  their  office  du- 
ring the  exigence  of  the  bill  it- 
felf,  which  was  for  three  years, 
without  being  removable  by  his 
majefty, -or  by  addrefs  or  petition 
of  parliament.  -  The  appointment 
of  the  commiffioners  in  Mr.  Fox's 
India  bill,  for  the  term  only  of  one 
year  more,  though  they  were  re- 
movable by  addrefs  of  parliament, 
had  yet  excited  the  greateft  alarm 
and  clamour,  becaufe  they  were  not 
removable  by  the  crown.  This 
appeared  the  moire  extraordinary, 
as  they  were  not  concerned  in  mat- 
ters that  had  any  particular  relation 
to  the  crown  j  neither  did  the  bill 
in  que  (lion  compel  the  commiffioners 
to  report  their  proceedings,  or  give 
any  fecurity  to  the  public  that  they 
*  would  do  their  duty.  Thus  an  lm- 
menfe  expence  might  be  incurred, 
without  producing  any  effed  what- 
ever. This  omiffion,  he  added,  was 
tlie  more  unpardonable,  fince  the 
bill  approinting  the  commiffioners 
of  the  public  accounts  *  compelled 


them  to  report  their  proceedings  at 
the  opening  of  every  feffion. 

But  his  ftrongeft  objection  to  tho 
bHl  was,  the  unlimited  powef  M 
gave  to  the  commiffioners  to  call  for, 
and  takeirito  their  cuftody,  all  titles, 
maps,  plans',  arid  documents,  which 
related  to  lands  holden  of  the 
crown.  This,  he  faid,  watf  infti- 
tuting  a  court  of  inquifitkm  un- 
known in  any  other,  much  lefe  irt 
this  country  5  it  left  every  man 
concerned  without  any  thing  liktf 
certainty  of  title  or  eftate;  where- 
ever  a  refervation  was  .made  for  th« 
delivery  of  copy  deeds,  it  was  inva- 
riably the  cultom  to  inferta  claufe 
that  they  mould  be  made  by  per- 
fons  appointed  by  the  holder  of  thf* 
deeds,  but  at  thex  expence  of  the 
perfon-claiming  them.. 

Mr.  JollifFe  concluded  by  moving 
amendments  for  the  protection  of 
title  deeds,  and  to  oblige  the  con*- 
miffioners  to  report  their  J>r6ceed-- 
ings  to  the  houfe ;  which  were  im- 
mediately received  without  a  divi- 
fion, and  the  bill  patted  the  com- 
mons. It  was  afterwards  attacked 
with  a  confiderable  degree  of  fe* 
verity  in  the  houfe  of  Ju,  ^ 
lords  by  lord  Lough-  J  ' 

borough,  who,  upon  the  third  read- 
ing, oppofed  it  chiefly  upon  the 
following  grounds : — Firft,  Becaufe 
the  bill  did  not  agree  with  his  ma- 
jefty's  meffage,  on  which  itprofeffed 
to  be  founded :  that  meflage  only; 
authorized  ah  enquiry  to  be  made 
into  the  ftate  and  condition  of  the, 
woods,  forefts,  and  land  revenues 
belonging  to  the  crown  5  but  the 
bill  proceeded  to  alienate  and  dif- 
pofe  of  the  land  revenues  of  the. 
crown,  contrary  to  the  ufage  of 
parliament,  and  inconfiftent  with 
the  rc^eft  due  to"  the  crown.—. 
Secondly,' 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY  OF    EUROPE. 


[*»a 


5«condly>  Becaufe%tbe  bill  repealed 
the  acts  of  the  aad  and  z^d  of 
Charles  the  Second,  and  created  a 
new  power  for  the  fale  of  thofe 
lands,  without  any  exception  of  the 
rents  in  the  former  acts  referved 
iu  behalf  of  divers  perfonsvand  for 
fundry  good  and  wholefome  pur- 
pofes  in  thofe  acts  » mentioned, — 
Laftly,  Becaufe  the  powers  granted 
to  the  commifiioners  were  dangerous 
to  the.  fubject,  and  derogatory  to 
the  honour  of  the  crown.  It  fub- 
jected  all  perfons  holding  of  the 
,  crown,  or  holding  eftates  adjoining 
to  crown  lauds,  to  an  inquifition 
into  their  ancient  boundaries  and 
title  deeds,  at  the  mere  motion 
of  the  comraiffioners,  without  any 
other  legal  or  ordinary  procefs.  It 
tended  to  reftrain  the  tenants  of  the 
crown  from  their  accuftomed  rights 
and  privileges  $  and  the  crown  it- 
felf  was  deprived  by  it  of  the  ma- 
nagement of  its  own  eftate,  which, 
it  transferred  to  the  commifiioners. 
The  bill  was  neverthelefs  carried  by 
a  majority  of  10,  the  houfe  dividing  -, 
contents  14,  proxies  14;  non-con- 
tents n,  proxies  J. 

Aprotef^againft  this  bill,  contain- 
ing the  objections  already  mention- 
ed, and  fome  other  additional  ones, 
was  afterwards  figned  by  his  lord- 
fhip  the  earl  of  Carlisle,  the  duke  of 
Portland,  the  earl  of  Sandwich,  and 
the  bifhop  of  Briftol. 

An  attempt  was  made  this  feflion 
by  the  hon.  Mr.  .Marfham  to  ex- 
tend the  difqualifications  refpecting 
the  power  of  voting  at  elections, 
contained  in  the  bill  generally 
known  by  the  name  of  Mr.  Crewe's 
bill,  to  perfons  holding  places  in 
the  navy  and  ordnance  -  office. — • 
Thefe  places,  he  added,  were  all  of 
a  civil  nature,  and  had  not  the 
moft  diftant  connection  or  interfe- 


rence with  the  officers  of  the  army 
or  navy. 

Mr.  Crewe's  bill,  in  fetting  afidc/ 
the  votes  of  all  perfons  holding  places 
in  the  cuftoms,  excife,  poft,  and 
^amp-offices,  had  done  the  higbeii 
fervice  to  the  conftitution.  The  bill 
he  propofed,  Mr.  Marfham  fajd,  was 
fo  fimilar  in  its  principle  and  opera-t 
tion  to  Mr.  Crewe's,  that  every  ar-» 
gument  which  was  or  could  be  ad4 
duced  in  favour  of  that  bill,  was 
equally  applicable  to  the  "one  in 
queftion. 

The  minifter  oppofed  the  bill/ 
alledging  that  it  flood  upon  very, 
different  grounds  from  the  bill 
brought  in  by  Mr.  Crewe,  for 
which  he  had  himfelf  voted.  The 
reafon,  he  faid,  for  paffing  tljat- 
act,  was  the  neceifity  of  reducing 
t{ie  influence  of  the  crown — an  in- 
fluence which  the  houfe  had  pre- 
vioufly  declared  had  increafed,  was 
increafing,  and  ought  to  be  dimi- 
nifhed.  If  Mr.  Crewe's  bill  had 
anfwered  that  purpofe,  then  the  ob- 
ject contended  for  was  gained  3  if 
it  had  not,  it  was  unwife  to  extend 
fuch  principles  as  that^bill  contain- 
ed,  whqre  no  benefit  arofe  from  their 
operation. 

At  the  fame  time  Mr.  Pitt  al- 
lowed that  Mr.  Crewe's  bill  might 
be  faid  to  have  gone  a  good  way  in, 
destroying  that  influence  which  ia 
matters  of  election  ought  effectually 
to  be  eradicated :  but  there  were: 
other  grounds  of  objection  which  he 
had  to  the  prefent  bill,  and  which; 
he  felt  to  be  infurmountable.  The 
perfons  difqualified  by  Mr.  Crewe's 
bill  were  of  fuch  a  defcription,  that 
the  very  burthens  impofed  upon, 
the  public  were  conducive  to  their 
private  interefts  \  and  therefore 
they  were  peculiarly  unfit  to 
elect  the  members  of  that  aflernbly, 

whofe 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


124]       ANNUAL,   R  E  G  f  S  f  E  R,   1786. 


whofe  bufinefs  it  was  to  impofe 
thofe  burthens.  Again,  the  officers 
of  the  excife  and  cuftoms  pervaded 
the  whole  kingdom  5  whereas  the 
prefent  defcription  of*  men  were 
Confined  only  to  particular  parts  of 
the  coaft.  There  exifted  another 
difference  between  them,  which 
was  to  be  taken  into  coufideration  : 
Jbe    revenue  -  officers    were    com- 

<  pletely  under  the  influence  of  go- 
vernment, but  the  perfons  Employ- 
ed in  the  departments  in  queftion 
were  fubjecl  to  no  controul  what- 
ever ;  they  were  at  all  times  capable? 
of  procuring  what  was  equal  to  their 
prefent  falariesin  foreign  fervices, 
or  with  our  merchantmen  at  home. 
If  tlje  prefent  bill  paflfed,  the  whole 
corps  of  our  naval  artificers  might 
carry  their  flpll  and  induftry  to  a 
foreign  market,  and  there  did  not 
exift  a  maritime  country  that  would 
not  grant  them  their  own  terms', 
daftly,  he  added,  that  it  did  not 
appear,  that  the  influence  of  the 
perfons  in  queftion  was  ever  felt  in 
thofe  parts  of  the  kingdom  where, 

m  if  vat  all,  it  muft  be  the  more  pre- 
valent. 

Mr.  Fox  made  fome  obfervations 
on  the  minifter's  realbns  for  reject- 
ing the  propofed  meafure.  He  be- 
gan with  obferving,  that  it  was  al- 
lowed that  ho  degree  of  influence 
with  refpec\  to4  elections  ought  to 

.  remain  in  the  crown  5  but  if  de- 
priving the  revenue  officers  of  the 

,  Tight  of  voting  tended  to  reduce  that 
influence,  the  depriving  thofe  other 
iervants  of  the  crown  muft  necefia- 
rily  reduce  it  flill  more. 

With  refpecV  to  the  diftinction 
made  between  the  different  perfons 


concerned',  namely,  that  one  bodjr 
extended  over  the  whole  kingdom, 
whilft  the  other %was  confined  to  a 
few  places,  it  only  proved,  when 
taken  in  its  fulleft  extent,  that  ai 
the  officers  of  the  revenue  were  more 
numerous  and  more  difTufed  than 
the  fervants  of  the  navy  and  ord- 
nance, the  disqualifying  of  the  lat- 
ter, although  an  ufeful  and  necef- 
fary  regulation,  was  not  fo  in  the 
fame  degree,  and  to  the  fame  ex- 
tent, as  the  disqualification  of  the 
former.     Next,  it  had  been  urged 
that  the  influence  of  the  perfons  in 
queftion   had  not  been   felt ;    but 
would  it,  Mr.  Fox  faid,  be  argued, 
that  becaufe   the   influence  might 
be  either  dormant  or  unfuccefsful, 
that  it  therefore  did  not  exift  >     It 
had  alfo  been  fuggefted/  he  faid, 
that  the  naval  artizans,  if  deprived 
of  their  votes,   would  lure  them- 
felves  to  foreign  powers ;  but  fuch 
a  fuppofition,  he  added,  was  too  ri- 
diculous   to    be    treated    ferioufly. 
They  were  to  go  abroad,  he  fup- 
pofedj  to  have  voices  in  the  appoint- 
ment of  members  of  parliament  in 
France,  or  were   to  influence  the 
elections  of  Spain,  or  were  to  look 
for  a   fhare   in   the  ariftocracy  of 
Holland,  He  concluded  by  feriouf* 
ly  calling  the  attention  of  the  houfc 
to  the  coufideration  of  the  prefent 
influence  of  the  crown,  and  to  the? 
cbnfequent  neceffity  of  applying  the 
remedy  now  propofed,     After  fome 
further  debate,  Mr.  "tyTarfhanVs  mo- 
tion for  the  fecond  reading  of  his 
bill  was  negatived  by  a  majority  of 
76 ;  the  numbers  being  for  the  quef* 
tion  41,  againft  it  1 17. 


CHAP. 


/Google 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


[ia* 


G    H    A    P. 


VII. 


Jkcufathn  of  Mr.  Haftings.  Speech  of  Mr.  Burke  on  opening  that  hufinefs  in  tie 
boufe  of  commons ;  be  gives  the  reafons  for  bis  undertaking  it ',  reminds  the  boufe  of 
their  former  proceedings ;  fates  three  different  modes  of  accufation,  frofecuthn  in 
the  courts  below,  bill  of  pains  and  penalties,  impeachment;  objefthn  to  the  turn 
former  modes ;  his  plan  of  conducing  the  loft ;  general  obfervations  on  the  whole  ; 
be  moves  for  a  variety  of  India  papers  and  documents  \  debates  theteon ;  Mr.  Dun- 
das's  defence  of  bimfelf-,  Mr.  Pitt's  arguments  on  the  fame  fide  ;  anf-ver  to  objec- 
tions by  Mr.  Burke ;  rights  and  privileges  of  an  accufer;  the  production  of  papers, 
relative  to  the  treaties  with  the  Mabrdttas  and  the  Mogul  objefted  to,  on  the 
ground  of  difclojtng  dangerous  fecrets ;  anfwer  to  that  objeftion  ;  papers  refufed  on 
a  diyifion  \  motion  renewed  by  Mr.  Fox,  and  rejefted..  Mr.  Burke  delivers  in  • 
twenty. t*wo  articles  of  charge  againft  Mr.  Haftings  ;  Mr,  Haftings  petitions  to  be 
beard  in  bis  own  defence ;  converfatton  tbereon  ;  Mr.  Haftings  beard  at  the  bar$  " 
bis  defence  Jaid  on  the  table ;  firft  charge  refpetling  the  Robilla  war,  moved  by 
Mr.  Burke ;  bis  introdutlory  jpeecb ;  lift  of  fpeakers  on  both  fides ;  charge  re je tied 
on  a  divifim  \  fecond  charge,  refpetling  Benares,  moved  by  Mr.  Fox ;  fupported 
by  Mr.  Pitt ;  carried  by  a  large  majority ;  indecent  refletlions  of  Mr!  Haftings 's 

-    friends  thereupon.     Mr.  Dundas' s  Bill  for  amending  the  India  aft  of  1784;  its 
arbitrary  principles  ftrongly  oppofed ;  defended  by  Mr.  Dundas  j  pajfes  both  houfes. 
■  King'sffeecb.— Parliament  prorogued. 


WE  have  before  related,  that 
on  the  firft  day  of  the  fef- 
iion  Mr.  Burke  was  called  upon  by 
tbe  agent  of  the  late  governor  gene- 
ral of  Bengal  to  produce  the  cri- 
minal charges  againft  Mr.  Haftings 
"in  fuch  a  ihape  as  might  enable 
parliament  to  enter  into  a  full  dif- 
<mrhon  of  his  conduct,  and  come  to 
a  final  deciflon  upon  it. 

On  Friday  the  17  th  of  February, 
Mr.  Burke  brought  this  fubjecl:  be- 
fore the  houfe  of  commons  :  after 
deft  ring  the  clerk  to  read  the  44th 
and  4£th  refolutions  of  cenfure  and 
recal  of  Mr.  Haftings,  moved  by 
Mr;  Dundas  on  the  29th  of  May 
1782,  he  laid  that  he  entirely  agreed 
in  opinion  with  the  friends  of  that 
gentleman,  that  the  refolutfion 
which  had  been  read  fhould  not  l>e 


fuffered  to  remain  a  mere  calumny 
on  the  page  of  their  journals  -,  at 
the  fame  time  he  lamented  that 
the  folemn  bufinefs  of  the  day 
ihould  have  devolved  upon  him  by 
the  natural  death  of  fome,  by  the 
political  death  of  others,  and  in 
fome  inftances  by  a  death  to  duty 
and  to  principle.  It  would  doubt- 
leis,  he  fcii'dj  have  come  forward 
with  much  more  weight  and  effect 
in  the  hands  of  the  right  honourable 
gentleman  who  had  induced  the 
houfe  to  adopt  thofe  refolutions,, 
or  in  thofe  of  another  gentleman, 
who  had  taken  an  active  part  in 
the  feleft  committee,  and  then 
enjoyed  a  confidential  poft  inv 
the  Indian  department,  the  fecre- 
tary  of  the  board  of  contioul  5  but 
as  he  could  not  perceive  any  in  ten* 

tiops 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


trf]       ANNUAL  REGISTER,  17S6. 


tions  of  the  kind  in  either  of  thofe 
members,  and  as  he  had  been  per- 
fonally  called  upon,  in  a  manner 
highly  honourable  to  the  party  in- 
terefted  in  the  proceeding,  but  in  a 
manner  which  rendered  it  impofilble 
for  him  not  to  do  his  duty,  he  ihould 
endeavour  to  the  beft  of  his  power 
to  fupport  the  credit  and  dignity  of 
the  home,  to- enforce  its  intentions, 
and  give  vigour  and  effect  to  a  fen- 
tence  pafled  four  years  ago  ;  and  he 
trufted  that  he  fhould  receive  that 
protection,  that  fair  and  honourable 

'interpretation  of  his  conduct,, which 
the  houfe  owed  to  thofe  who  acted 
in  its  name,  and  under  the  fanction 
^  its  authority. 

Having  endeavoured  upon  this 
ground  to  remove  the  odium  of  ap- 
pearing a  forward  profecutor  of  pub- 
lic delinquency,  Mr.  Burke  called 
back  the  recollection  of  the  houfe  to. 
the  feveral  proceedings  which  had 
been  had  in  parliament  refpecting  the 
mal-adrainiftration  of  the  company's 
affairs  in  India,  from  the  period  of 
Lord  Clive's  government  down  to 
the  reports  of  the  fecret  and  felect 
committees,  the  refolutions  moved 
thereupon,  and  the  approbation  re- 
peatedly, given  -to  thefe  proceedings 
by  his  majefty  from  the  throne.— 
It  was  upon  the  authority,  the  fanc- 
tion, and  the  encouragement  thus 
afforded  him,  that  he  refted  his  ac- 
cusation of  Mr.  Haftings,  as  a  de- 
linquent of  the  firft  magnitude. 

After  going  through  an  infinite 
variety  of  topics  relative  to  this  part 

t  of  his  fubject  j  he  proceeded  to  ex- 
plain the  procefs  which  he  fhould 
recpmmehd  to  the  houfe  to  purfue. 
There  were,  he  pbferved,  three  fe^ 
veral  modes  of  proceeding  againft 
ftate  delinquents,  which  according  to 
the  exigencies  of  particular  cafes  had 


each  at  different  times  been  adopted* 
The  .firft  .was  to  direct  his  majefty'a 
attorney  general  to  profecute ;  from 
this  mode  he  acknowledged  himfelf 
totally  averfe,  not  only  becaufe  he 
had  not  difcovered  in  the  learned 
gentleman,  whofe  refpe&able  cha- 
racter and  profeffional  abilities  had 
advanced  him  to  that  high  official 
fituation,  that  zeal  for  public  juf- 
tice  in  the  prefent  inftance,  which 
was  a  neceflary  qualification  in  a 

*public  profecutor ;  but  more  efpe- 
cially,  becaufe  he  thought  a  trial  in 
the  court  of  King's  Bench,  amidft 
a   cloud  of   caufes   of  meum  and 

,  tuurn,  of  trefpafs,  aflault,  battery, 
converfion,  and  trover,  &c.  tec.  not 
at  all  fuited  to  the  fize  and  enor- 
mity of  the  offender,  or  to  the  com- 
plicated nature  and  extent  of  his 
offences.  Another  mode  of  pro- 
ceeding occafionally  adopted  by  the 
houfe  was  by  bill  if  pains  and  penal- 
ties ;  this  mode  he  alfo  greatly  dif- 
approved  of,  in  the  firft  place,  as 
attended  with  great  hardihip  and 
injuftice  to  the  party  profecuted,  by 
obliging  him  to  anticipate  his  de- 
fence ;  and  fecondly,  as  putting  the 
houfe  in  a  fituation  which,  where 
the  nature  of  the  cafe  did  notabfo- 
lutely  require  it,  ought  carefully  to 
be  avoided,  that  of  fnifting  its  cha- 
racter backwards  and  forwards,  and 
appearing  in  the  fame  caufe  one  day 
as  accufexs,  and  another  as  judges. 
— The  only  procefs  that  remained* 
was  by  the  ancient  and  conftitu- 
tional  mode  of  impeachment  3  and  even 
in  adopting  this  procefs  he  jfhould 
advife  the  houfe  to  proceed  with  aU 
poffible  caution  and  prudence.  .  It 
had  been  ufual,Jbe  obferved,  in  the 
firft  inftance,  to  refolve  that  the 
party  accufed  fhouldbe  impeached, 

•  and  then' to  appoint  a  committee  to 

examine 


'  Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


[lit 


examine  the  evidence,  and  find  the 
articles  on  which  the  impeachment 
Was  to  be  founded.— This  mode  of 
proceeding  had,  from  the  heat  and 
paffion  with  which  the  minds  of 
men  were  fometimes  apt  to  be  hv 

x  framed,  led  the  houfe,  on  more  than 
one  occasion,  into  the  difgraceful 
dilemma  of  either  abandoning  the 

.  Impeachment  they  had  voted,  or  of 
.preferring  articles  which  they  had 
not  evidence  to  fupport. — In  order 
to  fleer  clear  of  this  difgrace,  he 
ihould  more  that  foch  papers  as 
were  neceffary  for  fubftantiating  the 
guilt  of  Mr.  Haftings,  if  guilt  there 

'  -was,  mould  be  laid  before  the  houfe; 
and  that  thefe  papers,  together 
with  the  charges  extracted  from 
them,  fhould  be  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee of  the  whole  houfe,  and  evi- 
-dence  examined  thereon :  if  the  char- 
ges ihould  then  appear,  what  he  be- 
lieved they  "would  be  found  to  be, 
•charges  of  the  blackeft  and  rbuleft 
nature,  and  fupported  by  compe- 
tent and  fufficient  evidence,  the 
houfe  would  then  proceed  with  con- 
fidence- and  dignity  to  the  bar  of 
the  houfe  of  lords. 

Having  ftated  thefe  matters  with 
great  precinon,  Mr.  Burke  went 
into  a  feries  of  reflections  on  the  na- 
ture of  the  office  he  had  undertaken. 
Every  accufer,  he  faid,  was  him- 
ielf  under  aocufation  at  the  very 
time  he  accufed  another  -,  it  behoved 
him  to  a&  upon  fure  grounds,  and 
he  had  therefore  chofen  the  line  of 
conduct  he  had  juft  explained,  as 
being  at  the  fame  time  the  molt  ef- 
fectual for  the  purpofes  of  public 
juftice,  and  the  leaft  expofed  to  the 
danger  of  error :  he  urged  the  un- 
avoidable neceffity  of  making  the 
^enquiry  perfonal;  he  afked  what 
would  he  the  fentiments  of  the  mi- 
ierafcle   and   oppreuM  jiati  vet    <rf 


India,  if  the  remit  of  the  proceed* 
ings  in  that  houfe  ihould  be  to  find  ' 
that  enormous  peculation  exifted, 
but  that  there  was  no  peculator; 
that  there  was  grofs  corruption,  but 
noperfon  to  corrupt,  or  to  be  cor- 
rupted ;  that  a  torrent  of  violence, 
opprefiion,  and  cruelty,  had  deluged 
that  country,  but  that  every  foul  in 
it  was  juft,  moderate,  and  humane  ? 
To  trace  peculation  to  the  pecula-  • 
tor,  corruption  to  its  fource,  and 
oppremon  to  the  oppreffor,  had  been 
the  object,  of  the  researches  of  the 
feveral  committees  that  had  been 
inmtuted  at  different  times  by  die 
houfe;  and  the  remit  was,  they 
found  that  government  in  India 
could  not  be  foul  and  the  governor 
pure.  After  a  fpeech  of  confider- 
able  length,  in  which  thefe  and 
many  other  topics  of  the  fame  na- 
ture were  argue4  with  great  force 
and  perfpicuity,  Mr.  Burke  con- 
cluded, by  moving,  if  That  copies 
of  all  correfpondence,  fince  the 
month  of  January  1782,  between 
Warren  Haftings,  Efquire,  gover- 
nor general  of  Bengal,  and  the  court 
of  directors,  as  well  before  as  fince 
the  return  of  the  faid  governor  ge- 
neral, relative  to  prefents  and  other 
money  particularly  received  by  the 
faid  governor  general,  be  laid  before  * 
this  houfe." 

The  reflections  thrown  out  by 
Mr.  Burke,  relative  to  the  relblu- 
tipns  of  the  fecret  committee,  and 
the  conduct,  of  Mr.  Dundas,  cal- 
led up  that  gentleman  to  juftify 
the  part  he  had  taken. — He  ac- 
knowledged that  he  undoubtedly 
was  tbe  perfon  who  fuggefted  the 
refolutions  alluded  to,  and  he  had 
not  the  fmallelt  foruple  to  admit 
that  the  fame  fentiments  that  he  en- 
tertained refpe&ing  Mr.  Haftings, 
at  the  time  of  propofing  thofe  refo- 
lutions, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


1*8]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


lutiotis5  he  entertained  at  that  mo- 
ment ;  but  would  any  one  contend 
that  thofe  fentiments  went  fo  far  as 
to  fuppofe  Mr.  Haftings  to  be  a  fit 
object  for  a  criminal  profecution? 
The  resolutions  went  to  the  recal  of 
Mr.  Haftings,  a  matter  which  be 
at  the  time  thought  expedient, 
and  had  recommended  it  to  the 
houfe  as  a  matter  of  expediency 
only.  He  thought  the  conducl  of 
Mr.  Haftings,  iince  the  period  to 
which  thofe  refolutions  referred,  not 
only  not  criminal  but  highly  meri- 
torious, and  he  had  for  that  reafon 
approved  of  the  vote  of  thanks 
which  the  court  of  directors  had 
conferred  upon  him. 

The  charge  of  inconfiftency  being 
again  urged  againft  Mr.  Dundas 
with  great  feverity,  by  Mr,  Fox, 
Mr.  Pitt  role  up  in  his  defence,  and 
retorted  the  charge  with  fome 
acrimony  on  Mr.  Fox,  whofe  con- 
duct, he  faid,  in  the  coalition  he  had 
formed  with  a  perfon  whom  he  had 
been  in  the  habit  of  loading  with 
the  moft  extravagant  reproaches, 
had  fufficiently  explained  to  the 
public  his  ideas  of  con  fluency.  He 
contended  that  the  refolution  of  re- 
cal by  no  means  pledged  the  houfe 
to  profecute  j  fince,  if  that  were  the 
cafe,  tbey  would  on  all  occafions  be 
reduced  to  the  neceflity  either  of 
hefitating  on  fuch  a  ftep  (however 
urgent  the  emergency  might  be) 
until  a  full  examination  of  the  con- 
dud  of  the  perfon  could  be  had,  or 
of  rendering  a  profecution  unavoid- 
able, although  no  adequate  en- 
quiry had  been  inftituted  to  evince 
its  propriety.  The  refolutions  con- 
tained in  themfelves  the  whole  of 
the  object  for  which  they  were  de- 
ligned,  namely,  that  in  order  to  re- 
cover the  loft  confidence  of  the 
princes  of  India,  it  was  advifeable, 


what  ?*-to  puniih  ?— No  !  but  It 
recal  certain  of  the  company's 
fervante.  Whether  the  conduct  by 
which  the  confidence  had  been  loft 
was  imputable  as  a  crime,  to  thofe 
fervants,.  was  totally  another  conn- 
deration:  he  was  indeed  ready  to 
join  in  opinion  with  the  gentlemen 
oppofite  to  him,  that  if  any  real 
guilt  was  to  be  inveftigated,  and 
adequate  punifhment  to  be  inflicted, 
his  right  honourable  friend  would 
:be  full  as  proper  a  perfon  to  take 
the  lead,  and  full  as  likely  to  ac- 
compliih  all  the  purpofes  of  pub- 
lic juftice,  as  thofe  gentlemen  in- 
to whofe  hands  the  profecution 
would  fall  j  but,  as  it  had  been  faid 
in  the  courfe  of  the  debate  that 
there  were  occafions  when  the  for- 
mal rules  of  common  juftice  might 
be  overleaped,  and  a  profecution 
conducted  with  violence  and  re- 
fentment,  rather  than  by  the  dull 
forms  #of  ordinary  proceedings, 
perhaps,  confidering  the  prefent  bu- 
finefs  in  that  point  of  view,  the 
gentlemen  that  had  taken  it  up  were 
the  ntteft  people  to  be  -intrufted  ' 
with  it :  with  reipect  to  the  papers 
moved  for,  Mr.  Pitt  made  no  ob- 
jection, but  hoped  the  gentleman 
who  moved  for  them  would  inform 
the  houfe  as  early  and  as  explicitly 
as  poflible  of  the  nature  and  extent 
of  the  charges  he  intended  to 
make. 

The  queftion  being  carried,  Mr. 
Burke  proceeded  to  move  for  a 
great  variety  of  other  papers,  which 
he  alkdged  were  necefiary  for  the 
profecution  of  the  caufe  he  had  un- 
dertaken. Thefe  motions  produced 
much  converfation*  and  towards  the 
:dofe  of  the  ,  day  there  appeared 
fome  -hefitation  in  the  miniiters  of* 
the  crown,  whether  jt.  would  .be 
proper  to  produce  whatever  papers 

might 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


tUSTOftY    6F    EUROPE;         [i*f 


fright  be  called  for  on  the  mere 
iuggeftioa  of  the  mover,  without 
infilling  upon  his  ftating  to  the 
houfe  the  connection  they  had  with 
the  matters  cootained  in  the  're- 
ports of  the  committees,  beyond 
which  they  did  not  think  he  ought 
to  go  in  the  matter  of  his  intended 
accufation.  At  this  ftage  of  the 
bufinds  the  houfe  adjourned  at  one 
o'clock,  on  account  of  the  illnefs 
of  the  fpeaker;  and*  the  day  fol- 
lowing the  converfation  was  re- 
newed, upon  a  motion  for  papers 
relative  to  the  affairs  of  Oude. 

It  was  urged  that  it  would  be  a 
precedent  of  a  very  dangerous  na- 
ture to  fuffer  papers,  of  the  con* 
tents  of  which  the  houfe  Was  in  a 
great  meafure  ignorant,  to  be  laid 
upon,  the  table,  merely  on  the 
word  of  any  individual  member. 
Why  did  not  the  honourable  gen- 
tleman bring  forward  a  fpecific  ac* 
fcufation  ?  the  houfe  might  t,hen  be 
enabled  to  judge  whether  the  pa- 
pers moved  for  were  neceflary  to 
lubftantiate  the  charge  or  not ;  but 
till  that  was  done,  it  was  their  duty 
to  refift  the  production  of  them.  In 
opposition  to  this  unexpected  obfta* 
cle,  Mr.  Burke  contended,  and  en- 
deavoured to  prove  from  feveral 
inftances,  that  the  practice  of  the 
houfe  by  no  means  bound  them 
down  to  the  mode  of  proceeding  to. 
which  it  was  attempted  to  fubject 
him;  In  every  criminal  procefs 
the  accufer,  who,  by  becoming 
fucb,  took  upon  himfelf  the  onus 
probandi ,  was  entitled  to  have  fuch 
documents  and  papers  as  he 
etieemed  ncceffary  to  fupport  the 
fchar^e  he  undertook  to  bring  for- 
ward, open  and  acceflible.  A  re- 
f&fal  muft  be  attended  with  a 
double  injuftice.  If  the  accufer 
w*n ted  collateral  and  explanatory 
.  Vol.  XXVIII* 


aid>  he  bught  sot  to  be  denied  the 
means  of  digefting,  explaining,  or 
Amplifying  thofe  tacts  of  which  h# 
was'  in  prior  pofleffion.  If,  on  th# 
other  hand,  the  grounds  of  accufa* 
tion  could  be  extenuated  j  if  th# 
feverity  of  the  charge  could  be 
abated,  nay,  perhaps  annihilated, 
a  denial  of  that  opportunity  to  the 
accufer  was  an  injuftice  to  the 
accufed.  He  fhould  therefore  con- 
sider the  rejection  of  his  motion  as 
d  ftratagem  to  get  rid  of  the  whole 
enquiry;  but  he  entertained  -  too 
fhrong  a  ferife  of  what  he  owed  t* 
public  jufb'ce,  aqd  to  humanity, 
to  accept  of  the  fubterfuge  that  was 
offered  him,  and  fteal  away  from 
and  defert  their  caufe.  He  knew 
that  be  fhould  have  to  encounter  & 
connected  force  of  the  hift  weight 
and  influence  in  the  country :  but 
he  had  not  undertaken  the  accufa- 
tion upon  light  grounds,  and  he 
had  the  firmeft  reliance  upon  the 
juftice  of  his  caufe;  He  had  been 
told,  that  the  profecution  would  be 
unpopular  j  that  the  people  of  Eng- 
land would  reject  him  in  fuch  * 
pdrfuit> — O  miferable  public!  he 
exclaimed;  what!  for  having  taken 
up  the  caufe  of  their  injured  and 
oppreded  feilbw-fubjects  in  India, 
for  attempting  to  bring  to  juftice 
the  plunderers  of  mankind,  #th# 
defolators  of  provinces, .  the  op- 
preiiors  of  an  innocent  and  meri* 
torious  people,  in  every  rank,  fex/ 
and  condition,  the  violators  of  pub- 
lic faith,  the  deftroyers  of  the  Bri* 
tifli  character  and  reputation  —was 
he  to  be  unpopular?  Thofe  who 
had  raifed  monuments  of  their  be- 
nevolence, by  providing  afylums 
and  receptacles  for  human  mtlery, 
were  juftly  ranked  for  fuch  deeds 
amongft  the  benefactors  to  man- 
kind; but  even  thefcxact*  of  pa- 
[/]  triotilm 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


i3o]       ANNUAL   feEO'ISTER,  1786* 


tnotifra  and  charity  were  not  to  be 
compared  tp  the  noble  work  of  fup- 
porting  the  moft  facfed  rights  and 
valuable  interefts  of  mankind,  by 
bringing  to  public  juftice  the  man 
who  had  Sacrificed  them  to  his  cruel- 
ty, his  avarice,  and  his  ambition. 

After  purfuing  this  train  of  re- 
flections with  great  energy  and  elo- 
quence, Mr.  Burke  remarked,  that 
the  prewar  icatio  acenfatorum  Ahad 
been  reckoned  amongit  one  of  iht 
firft  fymptoms  of  the  decline  of  the 
Boman  greatnefs.  •  But  at  the  time 
this  obfervation  was  made,  when 
Yerres  was  accufed  by  Cicero,  every 
means  of  information  was  allowed 
him.  One  hundred  and  fifty  days 
were  granted  him,  to  collect  the  ma- 
terials of  his  accufation  from  fo  near 
a  province  as  Sicily.  All  the  pub- 
,lic  records  were  open  to  him,  and 
perfons  fent  out  of  Italy  to  every 
place  where  the  proofs  of  his  guilt 
could  be  collected.  In  like  man- 
ner, when  the  Cicero  of  the  prefent 
»ge  felt  that  Indignity  againft  pub- 
lic crimes  which  did  him  fo  much 
honour,  every  poflible  affiftance  was 
afforded  him  5  every  paper  which 
he  wanted  was  produced  5  every 
avenue  of  information  was  opened ; 
all  parties  concurred  in  encouragmg 
him  5  the  flower  of  the  bar  Sup- 
ported him;  crown-  lawyers  were 
engaged  in  making  refearches ;  and 
treafury  clerks  exerted  themfelves 
with  all  the  enthufiafm  of  public 
virtue.  In  fhort  the  learned  gen-» 
tleraan  obtained  more  information 
th^an  he  might  have  ultimately 
wifhed  to  have  brought  in  charge 
againft  the  delinquent  he  profecut- 
ed.  Mr.  Burke  added,  that  it  Was 
fufficiently  vifible  that  his  fituation 
was  in-  every  refpect  the  very  re- 
verie 5  that,  for  his  own  part,  he 
onjy  called  Tor  what  the  hand  of 


power  had  tio  excufe  for  refufirig* 
The  papers  for  which  he  had  movj 
ed  he  avowed  we're  neceflary  fdr 
his  purpofe  5  and  it  was  incumbent 
on  thofe  who  refufed  them  to  juf* 
tify,  by  fome  bettef  plea  than  that 
of  ignorance  of  their  contents,,  the 
refufal  of  them. 

Major  Scott  followed  Mr.  Burke, 
and  agreed  in  opinion  with  him, 
that  the  papers  were  neceflary  to 
be  produced  ;  and  Mr.  Pitt,  after 
many  prof eflions  of  the  mod  un- 
biased impartiality,  concurred  with 
them  3  remarking,  at  the  fame  time, 
that  it  would  be  but  fair  and  can- 
did in  the  right  honourable  mover, 
to  give  the  houfe  fome  fpecific  in- 
formation of  the  fubjecl  matter  of 
his  charges,  and  to  date  the  grounds 
v  and  reafons  for  the  production  of 
fuch  papers  as  he  might  think  it 
neceflary  to  call  for  in  fupport  of 
them.  In  compliance  with  this  re- 
queft,  Mr.  Burke  read'  to  the  houfe 
a  fhort  abftract  of  the  feveral  charges 
which  he  defigned  to  bring  for- 
ward ;  and  pointed  ouf  the  matters 
which  the  feveral  papers,  he  after- 
wards movqd  for,  were  intended  to 
explain  and  fubflantiate. 

3d  March.       ™e    reftf.of    Mr' 
0  Burkes    motions   met 

with  little  oppofition,  till,  on  the 
3d  of  March,  he  moved  for  copies 
of  letters,  and  other  papers,  rela- 
tive to  the  treaty  of  peace  with  the 
Mahrattas.  This  motion  was  op- 
pofed  by  Mr.  Dundas'  and  Mr.  Pitt,  , 
on  two  grounds  -,  firft,  that  the  treaty 
in  queftion  was  a  wife  and  falutary 
treaty,  and  had  faved  the  Britim 
empire  in  Alia ;  and,  fecondly, 
that  the  production  of  the  papers 
moved  for  would  difcover  trans- 
actions relative  to\that  peace,  which 
ought  to  be  kept  a,  fecret  from 
the  country  powers  in  India,  info- 
much 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE.         [131 


touch  as  it  would  difclofe  the  means 
t>y  which  the  feveral  ftates  that 
yere  coufederate  againft  England 
Vere  made  jealous  of  each  other, 
and  the  intrigues  by  which  they 
Were  induced  tq  diflblve  that  con- 
federacy. In  anfwer  to  thefe  ob- 
jections., it  was  urged,  by  Mr. 
Burke  and  Mr*  Fox,  in  the  firft 
place,  that  to  argue  from  the  me- 
rits of  the  peace,  was  to  beg  the 
queftioh.  Mr.  Haftings  was  charg- 
ed with  having  a£fced  in  that  treaty 
urijuftly,  treacheroufly,  and  cruelly ; 
that  was  the  point  in  ifTue,  and  it 
could  only  be  tried  by  the  produc- 
tion of  the '  papers.  The  accufer 
altedged  he  was  in  pofleflion  of  the 
fads,  and  demanded  the  public  do- 
cuments only  as  furni  fhing  the  means 
of  formal  evidence  of  his  charge. 
In  the  fecond  place  it  was  argued, 
that  the  reafons  given  for  withhold- 
ing the  papers  were,  in  fact,  the 
llrongeft  reafons  for  producing  them : 
thofe  reafons  amounted  to  this,  that 
the  papers  ought  not  to  be  pro- 
duced, becauie  they  would  difcovef 
in  what  manner  the  different  pow- 
ers in  India  had  been  facrificed  in 
that  treaty  to  each  other — the  very 
point  that  was  charged  in  the  ac* 
eufation.  This  argument,  if  car- 
ried to  its  full  extent,  would  cover 
almoft  every  fpecies  of  political  de- 
linquency, fince  it  made  it  only 
neceflary  for  the  delinquent  to  add 
complicated  treachery  to  his  other 
crimes,  to  render  It  dangerous  to 
bring  him  to  a  public  trial.  But 
the  argument  was  futile  in  another 
refpect ;  the  tranfactions  alluded  to 
were  but  too  well  known,  and  too 
generally  condemned  and  repro- 
bated throughout  India.  If  they  were 
to  be  a  fecret,  it  would  be  a  fecret 
only  to  the  houfe'  of  commons,  and 
of  this  fufficient  proof  might  eafily 


be  given.  After  a  long  debate, 
the  houfe  divided  upoh  the  motion, 
which  was  reje&ed  by  a  majority  of 
87  to  44.  ,  . 

The  conduct,  of  ,„..  mr^^u 
adminiftrationinre-  '7*  March, 
fuling  the  papers  moved  for  by  Mr. 
Burke,  and  the  reafons  upon  which 
that  refufal  was  grounded,  appear- 
ed to  the  members  in  oppofition  of 
fo  ferious  and  alarming  a  nature, 
that  the  fame  motion  was  twice  re- 
newed, on  the  6th  and  on  the  17th 
of  March  by  Mr.  Fox,  but  reftrict- 
ed  to  the  correfpondence  of  a  Ma- 
jor Brown,  an  agent  of  Mr.  Haft- 
ings at  the  court  of  Delhi.  Copies 
of  many  parts  of  this  correfpon- 
dence were  in  the  hands  of  fome 
private  individuals  in  England,  and 
they  were  ufed,  in  the  courfe  of  the 
debate,  both  to  prove  the  criminal 
conduct  of  Mr.  Haftings,  and  the 
futility  of  the  pretention  of  fe- 
crefy. 

It  was  ftrongly  urged,  that  if 
the  grounds  upon  which  minifters- 
withheld  thofe  papers  from  the  in- 
fpectiori  of  parliament  were  ad- 
mitted by  the  houfe  as  fufficient, 
it  would  in  fact  veft  them  with  a 
power  of  protecting  every  delin- 
quent, and  quaihing  at  the  very 
outfet  every  public  enquiry.  Not- 
withstanding the  odium  which  was 
attempted  by  thefe  repeated  dif- 
cuflions  to  be  thrown  on  admini- 
ftration,  they  continued  firm  in 
their  refufal ;  urging,  in  addition  to 
their  former  arguments,  that  the 
agency  of  major  Brown  was  by  no 
means  proved,  and  that  the  corre- 
fpondence in.  queftion  appeared  to 
contain  merely  the  wild  and  chi- 
merical projects  of  an.  unauthorized 
individual.  The  motion  was  re- 
jected on  the  laft  day  by  140  to 

73- 

[/]  2  On 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


132]      ANNUAL    REGISTER  1788. 

▲  **;i  4K       0°  tnC  fourth  of  April 
Apni4th.  Mf  Burke>  .n  j^  place) 


charged  Warren  Haftings,  efq..the 
late  governor  general  of  Bengal, 
with  fundry  high  crimes  and  mif- 
demeanors,  and  delivered  at  the 
fable  the  nine  firft  articles  of  his 
charge,  and  the. reft  in  the  courfe 
of  the  following  week,  amounting 
in  all4  to  22  in  number.  On  the 
a(5th  Mr.  Haftings  requefted  by 
petition  to  the  houfe  to  be  per- 
mitted to  be  heard  in  his  defence 
to  the  feveral  articles,  and  that  he 
might  be  allowed  .  a  copy  of  the 
lame*.  Mr.  Burke  declared  his 
wifh  that  every  reafonable  degree 
of  indulgence  fliould  be  (hewn  to 
Mr.  Haftings  :  he  fhould  therefore 
readily  confent  to-  his  being  heard 
in  his  defence,  though  he  did  not 
think  it  quite  agreeable  to  the  re- 

fularity  of  their  proceeding,  that 
e  fhould  be  heard  in  the  prefent 
•flage  of  it  With  refpe&  to  a  copy 
.  of  the  charges,  he  believed  there 
was  no  precedent  of  fuch  an  indul- 
gence being  granted.  It  was  well 
known  that  it  was  his  original  in- 
tention to  have  gone  through  the 
whole  of  his  evidence  before  he  de- 
livered in  his  articles,  and  to  let 
•the  charge  grow  out  of  the  evidence ; 
but  the  houfe,  in  its  wifdom,  had 


thought  proper  to  vote  a  different 
mode  of  proceeding,  and  to  direct 
that  the  charges  fhould  be  firft 
made)  and  that  he  fhould  then 
proceed  to  fubftantiate  them  by 
evidence.  Hence  he  had  been  un- 
der the  neceffihr  of  new  arranging 
his  plan,  and  of  making  his  charges 
as  comprehenfive  as  pofhbJe,  tak- 
ing in  and  Hating  every  thing  with 
x  which  private  information  could 
furnifli  him.  In  their  prefent  form 
they  were  to  be  considered  merely 
as  a  general  collection  /  of  accufa- 
tory  fads,  interrnixed  faith  „  a  va- 
riety of  collateral  matter,  both  of 
fad  and  reafoning,  meceflary  for 
their  elucidation;  a^  the  com- 
mittee to  which  they  were  to  be 
referred  would  neceffarily  find  oc- 
cafion  to  alter  them  materially. 
For  this  reafon  alfo  he  thought  it 
would  be  highly  improper  to  give 
a  copy  of  them,  in  the  prefent  ftage  - 
of  the  bufinefs,  to  Mr.  Haftings. 
Thefe  reafons,  however,  being 
overruled  by  the  majority,  and  a 
copy  ordered  to  be  granted  to  Mr* 
Haftings,  Mr.  Burke  moved,  that 
the  houfe  fhould  refolve  itfelf  into 
a  committee  to  examine  the  wit- 
neffes  that  had  been  ordered  to  at- 
tend. This  was  alfo  obje&ed  to  by 
the  other  fide  of  the  houfe  on  thfe 


•To  the  Honourable  the  Commons  of  Great  Britain, 
in  Parliament- aflVmbled. 

The  humble  Petition  of  Warren  Hastings,  late  Governor  General  cf  Bengal, 
Sheweth, 
THAT  your  petitioner  obferves  by  the  votes  of  the  4th  and  i?th  days  of  April 
infant,  that  Mr.  Burke  in  his  place  charged  Warren  Haftings,  late  governor  ge- 
neral of  Bengal*  with  fundry  high  crimes  and  mifdemeanors  j  and  prefented  to  the 
houfc  feveral  articles  of  charge  of  high  crimes  and  mifdemeanors  againft  the  faid 
Warren  Haftings. 

Your  petitioner  therefore  humbly  prays  that  he  may  be  heard  in  his  defence  to 
the  {everal  articles;  and  that  he  may  be  allowed  a  copy  of  the  fame. 
And  your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  fhall  ever  pray. 

WARREN  HASTINGS. 

ground* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC  ' 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


[i33 


f  round,  that  as  they  bad  agreed  to 
ear  the  defence  of  Mr.  Haftings, 
they  ought  to  wait  till  that  had 
been  gone  through,  fince  he  might 
poffibly  be  able  to  offer  fuch  matter 
in  exculpation  of  himfelf  as  would 
ijiduce  the  houfe  entirely  to  flop  all 
further  proceeding.  •  This  argu- 
ment was  flxqngly  fupported  by  the 
•  mailer  of  the  rolls  and  the  attor- 
ney general,  and  ably  oppofed  by 
Mr.  Hardinge,  folicitor  general  to 
the  queen,  and  Mr.  Anftruther. 

The  decifion.  of  the  houfe,  by  a 
majority  of  140  to  80  againft  the 
proportion  of  Mr.  Burke,  was  con- 
sidered as  a  moil  favourable  prog- 
nostic by  tlfe  friends  of  Mr.  Hai- 
tings ;  and  tney  fpoke  with  the  ut- 
moit  confidence  of  a  _  fpeedy  con-  . 
clufion  of  the  whole  bufinefs  in  his 
favour. 

Mavift         On  the  rft  of  Majr, 
iviaynt.     Mr       Haftings     being 

called  to  the  bar,  addrefled  the  houfe 
in  a  fhort  fpeech  j  in  which  he 
ftated,  that  he  confidered  his  being^ 
allowed  to  be  heard  in  that  ftage  ot 
the  bufinefs  as  a  very  great  indul- 
gence, for  which  he  begged  leave 
to  make  his  moll:  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments to  the  houfe  •,  and  as  his 
with  was  to  deliver  what  he  had  to 
fay  in  anfwer'to  the  charges  that 
had  been  prefented  againft  him  by  an 
honourable  member,  with  a  greater 
{hare  of  accuracy  and  correctnefs 
than  he  could  pretend  to  in  a  fpeech 
from  memory,  he  had  committed 
his  fentiments  to  writing,  and  hoped 
to  be  permitted  to  read  them.  This 
requeft  being  granted,  Mr.  Haf- 
tings proceeded  to  read  his  de- 
fence, in  which  he  was  affifted  by 
|4r.  Markham,  a  fon  of  the  arch- 
biihop  of  York,  and  the  clerks  of 
&e  houfe,    Three  days  were  fpent 


in  going  through  the  feveral  part? 
of  his  defence ;  and  it  was  after- 
wards, at  the  requeft  of  Mr.  Haf- 
tings, ordered  to  be  laid  upon  the 
table  of  the  houfe„  and  printed  for 
the  ufe  of  the  members,. 

As  two  articles  only  of  the  charge, 
were  decided  upon  in  this  feffion  of 
parliament,  we  ftiall,  for  the  fake 
of  giving  our  readers  a  connected 
view  of  the  whole  fubject  together, 
defer  entering  at  p  relent  into^  the  . 
fubject  matter  of  the  charges  exhi-* 
bitedj,  the  proofs  by  which  they 
were  fupported,  or  the  allegations 
urged  by  Mr.  Haftings  in  his  de- 
fence, and  content  ourfelves  with  a 
narrative  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
houfe  of  commons. 

In  our  next  volume  we  mail  en- 
deavour to  give  as  concife  and  com- 
prehenfive  an  abftract  of  the  whole 
bufinefs,  as  its  immenfe  extent  and 
complicated  variety  wiH  admit. 
We  lhall  therefore  only  obferve,. 
with  refpect  to  the  defence  of  Mr, 
Haftings,  that  it  does  not  appear 
to  have  produced  an  effect  anfwer- 
able  to  the  fanguine  expectation  of 
his  friends,  or  to  the  views  of  thofe 
who  might  wiih  to  have  taken  a 
plaufible  opportunity  of  quaihing 
the  whole  proceeding,  by  a  ihort 
queftion  upon  the  general  merits  of 
the  perfon  accufed. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  houfe,  in 
a  committee,  proceeded  in  the  exa- 
mination of  witnefles  in  proof  of 
the  charges;  and  on  the  T  a 

flrft  of  June  Mr.  Burke  June  im 
brought  forward  the  Rohilla  charge, 
and  moved  the  following  refolution 
thereupon  :  -*-"  That  the  committee, 
having  confidered  the  faid  article, 
and  examined  evidence  on  the  fame,  x 
'are  of  opinion  that  there  are  grounds 
fufficient  to  charge  Warren  Haf- 

J7]3  tinp 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC  ' 


134]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


tings  with  high  crimes  and  mif- 
demeanors  upon  the  matter  of.  the 
faid  article." 

Mr.  Burke  introduced  his  motion 
with  a  folemn  invocation  of  the  juf- 
tice  of  the  houfe,  which  he  faid  was 
particularly  due,  as  well  to  the  peo- 
ple of  Great  Britain,  becaufe  the 
national  credit  and  character  were 
deeply  involved,  and  implicated  in 
the  iffue  of  the  bufinefs  about  to  be 
brought  before  them,  as  for  the  fake 
of  their  own  honour  and  dignity. 
Hedefcribedwith  great  force  the  na- 
ture of  thequeftion  to  be  decided  \  de- 
claring emphatically,  that  it  was  an 
appeal  from  Britilh  power  to  Britifh 
juftice.— The  charge,  he  faid,  mull 
either  condemn  the  accufer  or  the 
accufed:  there  was  no  medium.  The 
remit  muft  be,  that  Warren  Haf- 
tings,  efq.  had  been  guilty  of  grofs, 
enormous,  and  flagitious  crimes ;  or, 
that  he  was  a  bafe,  calumniatory, 
wicked,  and  malicious  accufer.  He 
enlarged  upon  the  degree  of  guilt 
afcribable  to  that  man  who  mould 
dare  prefume  to  take  up  the  time  of 
the  houfe  by  rafhly  coming  forward, 
and  urging  groundlefs  and  ill-found- 
ed charges  againfl  a  perfon  who  had 
been  intruded  with  high  and  exalt- 
ed offices  in  the  government  of  a 
part  of  our  territories,  much  larger 
and  more  extend ve  than  the  whole 
ifland  of  Great,  Britain.  There 
were,  he  obferyed,  but  three  fources 
cf  falfe  accufation,  viz.  ignorance, 
inadvertency,  or  paffion  j  by  none  of 
thefe  three  had  he  been  a&iiated  : 
ignorance  he  could  not  plead,  be- 
caufe he  knew  the  fubject  as  fully  as 
the  labour  and  tfudy  of  fix  years 
could  make  him  know  it :  inad- 
vertency as  little  could  he  be  charg- 
ed with,  becanfe  he  had  deliberate- 
ly .proceeded,  and  examined  every 
itep  he  took  in  the  bufinefs  with 


the  moft  minute  and  cautious  attend 
tion :  and,  leaft  of  all,  could  it  be 
faid,  with  any  colour  of  truth,  that 
he  had  been  actuated  by  paflion. 
Anger  indeed  he  had  felt,  but  fure- 
ly  not  a  blameable  anger ;  for  wha 
ever  heard  of  an  enquiring  anger,  a 
digeffing  anger,  a  collating  anger, 
an  examining  anger,  or  a  felecling 
anger  ?  The  anger  he  had  felt  was, 
an  uniform,  fteady,  public  anger, 
but  never  a  private  anger  5  .that 
anger  which  five  years  ago  warmed 
his  breaft,  he  felt  precifely  the  fame 
and  unimpaired  at  that  moment. 
Not  all  the  various  occurrences  of 
the  laft  five  years,  ^either  five 
changes  of  adminiftration,  nor  the 
retirement  of  the  fummer,  nor  the 
occupation  of  winter,  neither  his 
public  nor  his  private  avocations, 
nor  the  fnpw,  which  in  that  period 
had  fo  plentifully  fhowered  on  his 
head,  had  been  able  to  cool  that 
anger,  which  he  acknowledged  tat 
feel  as  a  public  man,  but  which,  as 
a  private  individual,  he  had  never 
felt  for  one  moment. 

He  obferved,  that  the  vote  they 
were  to  give  that  day  was  not  mere- 
ly on  the  cafe  of  Mr.  Haflings; 
they  were  to  vote  a  fet  of  maxims 
an<J  principles,  to  be  the  guide  of 
all  future  governors  in  India.  '  The 
code  of  political  principles  which, 
they  fhould  that  day  efiablifh  as  the 
principles  of  Britifh*  goyernmeht  in 
its  diftant  provinces,  would  ftand  re- 
corded as  a  proof  of  their  wifdom 
and  juflice,  or  of  their  difpofltion  to 
tyranny  and  oppreflion.  lie  enter- 
ed a*  large  into  thofe  peculiar  cir- 
cumftances  in  the  connection  be- 
tween this  country  and  India,  which 
rendered  the  retribution  of  juftice, 
in  cafes  of  cruelty  and  opprefiibn, 
extremely  difficult,  and  contrafted 
them  with  the  fituation  of  the  pro- 
vinces 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY    OF    EUROPE. 


*mces  conquered  by  the  Romans. 
The  Roman  empire  was  an  empire 
of  continuity,  each  province  being 
either  immediately  or  nearly  accef- 
fible  by  land 5  they  had  likewifeone 
genera!  tongue  to  fpeak  with,  fo 
that  each  man  was  able  to  tell  his 
tale  in  his  own  way.  They  had 
another  advantage,  which  arofe  from 
the  very  circumftance  of  their  being 
conquered,  and  it  was  that  the  prin- 
cipal perfons  who  accomplished  the 
conqueft  always  acquired  a  pro- 
perty and  influence  in  each  new  pro- 
vince by  them  lubdued,  and  of 
courfe  the  vanquished  found  patrons 
and  protectors  in  the  perfons  of  their 
conquerors.  Each  province  was  alfo 
"considered  as  a  body  corporate,  and 
confequently  each  province  was  en- 
abled to  fend  their  grievance  to 
Rome  collectively,  and  to  ilate  them 
as  fpeaking  with  one  mouth.  He 
next  adverted  to  the  fltuation  of  an 
accufer  in  Rome,  and  to  the  advan- 
tages that  attended  him  in  profe- 
cuting  his  charges  againft  a  ilate 
delinquent,  who  was  ftripped  of  his 
power,  and  even  of  his  rights  as  a 
Citizen,  pending  the  profecution, 
the  better  to  enable  his  accufer  to 
make  out  and  ellablifh  his  accusa- 
tion. He  drew  a  diftin&ion  between 
this  facility  of  coming  at  a  Roman 
'governor,  charged  with  high  orimes 
and  mifdemeanors,  and  the  extreme 
difficulty  of  fubftantiating  an  accu- 
fation  againft  a  Britifh  governor. 
Wljen  it  was  confidered  that  Mr. 
Haftings  had  been  for  fourteen  years 
at  the  head  ot  the  government  in 
India,  and  that  no  one  complaint 
during  that  time  had  been  trans- 
mitted to  England  againft  him,  the 
ftoufe  muft  be  convinced  of  the  enor- 
mous degree  of  power  he  had  to 
ipontend  with,  to  which  alone 'could 
bs  afcribed  the  .filence  in  cmeftioiv 


1)3$ 

(ince  it  was  not  in  human  nature, 
fituated  as  Mr.  Hidings  had  been, 
to  preferve  fo  pure,  even-handed, 
and  unimpeachable  a  cpnducl,  as  to 
afford  no  room  for  a  Angle  accufa- 
tion  to  be  ftated  againft  him< 

After  this  exordium,  Mr.  Burke 
ftated  at  large  the  fubjecl:  matter  of 
the  charge,  and  concluded  a  long 
-and  eloquent  fpeech,  with  defiling 
the  clerk  to  read  the  refolution  of 
May  1782,  to  'clear  himfe'lf  from 
the  imputation  of  having  rafhly  and  , 
iingly  meddled  with  the  fubjeel:  j  and 
to  fiiew  that  the  houfe  had^  in  very 
ftrong  terms,  already  reprobated 
Mr.  Haftings's  conduct:  in  the  Ro- 
ll ill  a  war.  The  motion  was  ftip- 
ported  by  Mr.  Wilbraham,  Mr. 
Powis,  Mr.  Montague,  Lord  North, 
Mr.  M.  4.;  Taylor,  Mr.  Wyndham, 
and  Mr.  Hardinge  ^  and  oppofed  by 
Mr.  Nicholls,  Lord  Mornirigton, 
Mr.  H.  Browne,  and  Lord  Mulgrave. 
At  half  paft  three  o'clock  the  de- 
bate was  adjourned,  and  renewed 
the  day  following  by  Mr.  Francis, 
Mr.  Anftruther,  and  Mr.  Fox,  on 
the  one  fide  5  and  Mr.  W,  Grenville, 
Mr.  J.  Scott,  Mr.  Burton,  Mr.  Wil- 
berforce,  and  Mr.  Dundas,  on  the 
other.  At  half  paft  feven  tie  com- 
mittee divided,  when  there  appear- 
ed for  the  motion  67,  againft  it 
119. 


13th  June. 


On  the  13  th  of  June, 


Mr.  Fox  brought  for- 
ward the  charge  refpe&ing  the  Ra- 
jah of  Benares.  Nearly  the  fame 
perfons  took  a  part  in  this  debate 
as  in  the  former,  and  it  was  carried 
by  a  majority  of  119  to  79,  "  that 
there  was  matter  of  impeachment 
againft  Warrpn  Haftings 'contained 
in  the  faid  charge.'4  The  chan- 
cellor of  the  exchequer  concurre4 
in  this  vote,  but  upon  very  narrow 
ground.    He  thought  that  the  de* 

[/]  4         ,        mand%, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


jj6]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


mands  ma^euptm  the  Rajah  went  be- 
yond the  exigence  of  the  cafe,  and 
that  Mr,  Haftings  had  pufhed  the 
exercife  of  the  arbitrary  difcretion 
ctatrufted  to  him  beyond  the  necef- 
iity  of  the  fervice.  The  conduct  of 
the  minifter  on  this  occafion  drew 
upon  him  much  indecent  calumny 
from  the  friends  of  Mr.  Haftingsj 
they  did  not  hefitate  to  accufe  him 
.  out  -of  doors,  both  publicly  and  pri- 
vately, of  treachery.  They  declared 
it  was  in  the  full  confidence  of  his 
protection  and  fupport,  that  they 
had  urged  on  Mr.  Burke  to  bring 
forward  his  charges  $  and  that  the 
gentleman  accufed  bad  been  per- 
iuaded  to  Come  to  their  bar,  with  an 
hafty  and  premature  defence:  and 
tbey  did  not  fcruple  to  attribute 
this  conduct  in  the  miniiler  to  mo- 
tives of  the  bafeft  jealouiy. 

During  the  courfe  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  houfe  of  commons  on 
the  impeachment  of  Mr.  Haftingsj 
another  fubject,  relative  to  the  ad- 
miniftration  of  the  company's  affairs 
in  India,  underwent  a  warm  dip 
cutlion  in  both  houfes  of  parliament ; 
this  was  a  bill  brought  in  by  Mr. 
Dundas,  for  amending  Mr\  Pitt's 
act,  palled  in  the  year  1784,  for 
regulating  the  government  of  the 
Eaft  India  company.  Previous  to 
the  firft  mention  of  the  fubject  by 
Mr.  Dundas,  Mr.  Francis  had  moved 

'ith  the 
ten  five 
motion 
ut,  and 
The 
undas's 
arers  of 
by  veft- 
to  the 
il:  fe- 
ices  of 
mander 


in  chief  of  the  forces:  and  thirdly^ 
by  authorizing  him  to  decide  upopv 
every  meafure,  whether  his  council 
agreed  with  him  or  not.  Leave 
being  given  to  bring  in  the  bill, 
Mr.  Francis  moved,  ".  that  it  be 
an  inftru&ion  to  the  gentlemen  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  and  bring  in  a 
Dill  to  explain  and  amend  an  a#:, 
pafled  in  the  24th  year  of  his  ma- 
jesty's reign,  intituled, '  An  act,  &c* 
that  in  preparing  the  fame  they  do. 
never  lofe  fight  of  the  effect:,  which 
any  meafure  to  be  adopted  for  the 
good  government  of  our  pofTeffions 
in  Ind^a  may  have  on  our  own 
conftitudon^  and  our  deareft  in- 
terefts  at  home;  and  particularly,' 
that  in  amending  the  faid  act  they 
do  take  care  that  no  part  thereof 
fliall  be  confirmed  or  re-enacted,  by 
which  the  unalienable  birthright  of* 
every  Britifh  fubject  to  a  trial  Ipy 
jury,  as  declared  in  magna  charta, 
fhall  be  taken  away  or  impaired." 
This  motion  was  rejected  without 
debate,  by  a  majority  of  85  to  16*. 

On  the  2 2d  of  March  the  bill 
was  committed,  when  the  claufes.  % 
conferring  fo  extraordinary  a  de- 
gree of  power  on  the  governor  ge- 
neral were  oppofed  with  a  torrent 
of  eloquence  by  Mr.  Burke.  He 
protefted  in  tne  ftrongeft  terms 
againft  the  principle  of  a  bill  which 
was,  he  faid,  to  introduce  an  arbi- 
trary and  defpotic  government  in 
India,  on  the  falfe  pretence  of  its 
tending  greatly  to  the  flrength  and 
fecurity  of  the  SrUifli  poffefiions 
there,'  and  giving  energy,  vigour, 
and  difpatch  to  the  meafures  and 
proceedings  of  the  executive  go-* 
vernment.  He  reprobated  the  whole . 
of  this  idea,  contending  that  &n  ar- 
bitrary and  defpotic  government  was 
always  Aire  to  produce  the,  reverfe 
of  energy,   vigour,   and    difpatch  y 

its 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OFEUROPE, 


b$f 


its  conftant  features  being  weakr 
fiefs,  debility,  and  delay.  He  re- 
ferred to  the  Turkifli  government, 
and  every  arbitrary  government 
that  ever  exifted,  in  proof  of  his 
aifeftion. 

In  anfwer  to  thefe  obje&ions,  Mr. 
Dundas  contended,  that  before  gen- 
tlemen took  upon  them  to  charge 
the  empowering  the  governor  ge- 
neral to  aft,  in  cafes  of  emergency, 
without  the  concurrence  of  thecoun-r 
cil,  as  the  introduction  of  arbitrary 
government,  it  behoved  them  to  prove 
that  arbitrary  government  depended 
more  upon  one  perfdn  governing  than 
two,  a  pofitioji  which  he  believed 
it  would  not  be  eafy  to  make  out. 
He  had  ever  confidered  the  govern/- 
Ing  by  known  laws,  the  preferva- 
{ion  of  all  the  rights  and  franchises 
^f  fubje&s,  and  trial  in  all  cafes  of 
property  by  the  efiabliihed  judica- 
ture of  the  country,  as  the  invariable 
and  undoubted  proofs  of  freedom. 
This  was  the  real  cafe  of  India ;  the 
perfpn  intruded  with  the  adminiftra- 
tion  of  the  country  was.  indeed  in- 
Vefted  vriib  wort  power,  but  he  had 
therefore  the  greater  refponfibility : 
though  in  cafes  of  great  emer- 
gency he  was  al\owed  to  a6t  with- 
out tie  concurrence  of  his  council, 
yet  he  had  flill  his  eduncil  to  ad- 
vile  .with,  and  they  were  always 
about,  him,  as  checks  and  controuls 
upon  his  conduct  ;  in  fa6t,  the  go- 
vernor could  do  no  more  under  the 
prefent  claufe  than  fee.  could  have 
done^  with  the  concurrence-of  his 
council  before  :  in  proportion  as  he 
had  more  perfonal  power,  fo  had 
the  bill  provided  more  refponfi- 
bility. 

All  the  mifchiefs  and  all  the  mis- 
fortunes winch  had  for  years  taken 
place  in  India,  he  was  iatisfied,  in 


his  own  mind,  after  long  and  at- 
tentive inquiry  into  the  affairs  of 
that  country,  arofe  entirely  from  the 
party  principles  of  the  members  of 
the  different  councils  in  exigence 
there,  and  the  factious  fcenes  which 
thofe  councils  had  almoft  uniformly 
prefente^. 

In  the  houfe  of  lords  the  bill  waa 
oppofed  on  the  fame  grounds,  with 
great  ability,  by  lord  Carlille,  lord 
Stormont,  and  efpecially  by  lord 
Loughborough.  In  both  houfes  it 
was  ibpported  by  large  majorities* 
and  finally  paffed  into  a  law.  / 

On  Tuefday  the  1  ith  of  July,  hi* 
majefty  camp  down  to  the  boufe  of 
lords,  and  clofed  the  feffidn  with  a 
fpeech  from  the  throne.  He  ex^ 
preffed  the  particular  fatisfa&iori  ho 
bad  received  from  their  attejitj01* 
to  the  public  bufinefs,  and  from  the 
meafures  which  had  been  adopted 
for  improving  the  refourcea  of  the 
country. 

He  thanked  the  houfe  of  com- 
mons for  the  fupplies  which  they 
had  granted  for  the  current  year, 
and  for  the  provi'fion  which  they 
;had  made  for  difcharguig  the  in- 
cumbrances on  the  civil  lift  :  from 
the  plan  adopted  for  the  reduSioa 
of  tie  national  debt,  he  looked  for" 
the  moft  falutary  effeds  \  it  was~a%. 
object  which  he  confidered  as  in- 
feparably  connected  witty  the  in- 
terefts  of  the  public.  He  faid,  that' 
the  affurances  he  had  frcjm  abroad 
promifed  the  continuance  of  general 
tranquillity :  and  he  concluded  by 
obferving,  that  the  happy  effects 
of  peace  had  already  appeared  in. 
the  extenfion  of  the  national  com- 
merce, and  that  no  meafures  Ihpuld 
be  wanting  on  his  part,  which  could 
tend  to  confirm  thofe  advantages, 
and  to  give  additional  encourage- 
ment 


Digitized  by  LjOOQIC 


138]      A-NNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 

rnent  to  the  manufa&ures  and  in-    fignified,  that  the  parliament  ihould 
duftry  of  his  people.  *  %  be  prorogued  until  the  4th  of  Sep- 

His  majefty's  pleafure  was  then    tember. 


chap.    vni. 

Rujfia,     Magnificence  of  the  Court  of  Peterjburgb.     Expeditions  of  difcovery  by  land 
andfea,  to  the  yet-unexplored  farts  of  the  empire.     Small  colony  of  Cbriflians  dif- 
covered  in  the  wilds  of  Caucafus.     New  canal  for  opening  an  inland  navigation 
between  the  Cafpian  Sea  and  the  Baltic,    Commercial  treaty  with  the  Emperor. 
*    Similar,  treaties  in  negotiation  with  France  and  otber  nations.     Old  commercial 
treaty  with  England  fuffered  to  expire  without  renewal.     Some  obfervations  on 
that  circumfiance,  and  on  the  cbange  which,  feems  to  have  taken  place  in  the  Em- 
frefs's  political  fyfiem.     War  toitb   tbe  Tartars.     Inequality  of  the  contending 
forties.     Brave  and  obftinate  refinance  notwitbftanding  made.     Prince  of  Heffe 
»     Rbinfels  killed.     Tartar  chief  with  bisfons  and  nephew,  taken  prifoners.     Cuban 
Tartary  defolated,     Tbe  new  prophet,  Sbeicb  Manfour,  defeated.     Emprefs  an- 
nounces ber  intention  of  making  a  frogrefs  to  Cberfon  and  tbe  Crimea.     Extraordi- 
nary preparations  for  rendering  tbe  procejfion  Juperbly  magnificent.     Tbe  intelligence 
•ftbis  intended  Progrefs  and  defign,  inftead  of  terrifying  tbe  Tartar s,  occafhns.  a 
fricler  union  and  general  confederacy  among  tbem  ;  Jbew  unufual  judgment  in 
Jeizing  tbe  gorges  and  defiles  of  tbe  mountains,  and  interrupting  tbe  Ruffian  com* 
munications.     Viclory  gained  by  tbe  Tartars  in  tbe  autumn  of  1786,  on  tbe  fide  of 
Caucafus.     Some  of  tbe  apparent  confequences  of  that  event ;  and  particularly  it$ 
effecl  ivith  refpecl  to  tbe  intended  progrefs.     Georgians  forely  preffed  by  tbe  Lefgbh 
Tartars,    Court  of  Peterjburgb  vents'  its  indignation  on  tbe  Porte  ,  as  tbe  caufe  of  all 
tbefe  untoward  events.    Some  jealoufies  entertained  by  tbe  Cbinefe.    Death  of  Kien- 
hngf  tbe  excellent  Emperor  of  China.     Singular  bank  efiablijbed  by  tbe  Emprefs  at 
Peterjburgb.     Ruffian  t roofs  fent  into  Courland,  in  order  to  fupport  the  freedom  of 
eteclion  in  cafe  of  tbe  Duke's  death.     Turkey.     Appeal  from  the  Grand  Signior  t* 
bis  fubjeBs,  and  to  all  true  Mujfulmen,  on  tbe  differences  with  Rujfia,  tbe  treat* 
ment  be  has  received^  and  calling  upon  tbem  to  be  in  preparation  for  tbe  exfeeled 
ions  for  placing  tbe  empire  in  a  formidable  fiate  of  defence, 
brain  Pacha's  expedition  to  that  country ;   defeats  Murat 
'.takes  Grand  Cairo.     Porte  does  not  relax  in  its  endea- 
the  critical  fiate  of  public  affairs ;  to  introduce  tbe  arts  and 
orders  a  tranfiation  oftbe^  French  Encyclopedia.     Emperor's 
Rufta  and  tbe  Porte.     Engaged  fiill  in  a  multiplicity  of  in~ 
1 rogation   of  tbe  old  laws,   and  efiablifbment  of  a  new 
wms.     Suppreffion  of  religious  boufes.     Number  of  the  ccn» 
reduced.      German1  prelacy  join  the  Emperor  in  refifiing 
court  of  Rome  in  their  ecclefiajlical  and  metropolitan  go- 
ftlcntz  and  Arcbbijbop  of  Saltzbourg  apply  to  tbe  Em* 

fent% 


>OQl 


HISTORY   OF   EUROPE. 


[*39 


pcror>  to  prevent  a  nuncio's  arrival  at  the  court  of  Munich.  Emperor  pub- 
lifbes  a  declaration  again  ft  the  powers  ajfumed  by  nuncios,  and  promifes  to  fupport 
the  Germanic  Church  in  all  its  rights.  Rejblutions  of  the  ecclefiafiical princes  agam/B 
the  encroachments  of  the  fee  of  Rome.  Emperor's  edicl,  laying  reflriftions  on 
free  mafonry.  Letters  in  Javour  of  the  Jews  to  the  corporations  of  Vienna.  Edi& 
prohibiting  gaming*  Forbids  all  publications  from  making  any  mention  of  the  Ger- 
manicleague,  &c.  Regulation  of  the  numerous  profiitutes  in  Vienna.  Attention  /» 
the  troubles  in  Holland.  New  claim  in  preparation  on  the  Eajl- India  trade  of  thai 
country* 


TH  E  fame  ftile  of  outward 
magnificence,  with  the  fame 
munificent  fpirit  in  the  difpofal  of 
bounties  or  rewards,  which  have  fo 
eminently  diftinguifhed  the  court 
of  Peterf burgh  through  the  prefent 
reign,  ftill  continue  to  be  its  pecu- 
liar chara&eriftics.  Every  thing 
that  comes  within  thefe  defcriptions 
is  done  in  the  highefl  ftile  of  gran- 
deur, and  feems  not  only  fuited  to 
the  prefent  greatnefs,  but  to  the 
fifing  hope  and  fortune  of  that  em- 
pire. Indeed  the  emprefs  proceeds 
upon  fo  large  a  fcale  in  thefe  mat- 
ters, that  it  feems  rather  to  be  gra-* 
duated  by.  an  Afiatic  than  an  Eu- 
ropean model.  It  is  not  often  feen, 
at  leaft  in  the  weftern  world,  that  a 
great  military  power,  whofe  ambi- 
tion and  armaments  fpread  appre- 
henfion  or  terror  all  round,  and 
which  feems  almoft  conilantly  look- 
ing for  war,  ihould  at  the  fame 
time  exceed  all  others  in  the  fplen- 
did  eftabliihments  of  peace  and 
luxury. 

The  views  of  the  court  are,  how- 
ever, directed  in  its  expences  to 
other  objects  of  greater  importance 
?nd  utility  than  thofe  of  mere  mag- 
nificence. Of  thefe  may  be  confi- 
dered  the  great  expedition  under- 
taken in  the  year  1785,  under  the 
emprefs's -direction,  for  the  purpofe 
of  difcovering,  exploring,  and  ex- 
amining the  moft  remote  provinces, 


and  the'yet  unknown  parts  of  tha$ 
immenfe  empire.  The  difficulties 
alid  perils  to  which  this  expedition 
by  land  was  fuppofe  dliable,  through, 
the  trackleft  deferts  which  they  were 
to  explore,  the  inhofpitality.  of  thev 
climates,  and  the  barbarity  of  the 
1  nations  they  were  to  encounter,  with, 
the  numberlefs  obstacles  of  various 
forts  they  were  to  furmount,  ren- 
dered the  profpeft  much  more  ter- 
rible than  it  had  appeared  to  our 
qircumnavigators  in  any  c:  their 
late  great  voyages  of  difcover/v 
The  boldeft  and  moft  enterprizing 
perfons  of  all  nations  were  accord- 
ingly fought  out  for  this  under- 
taking, and  high  rewards  and  pro- 
mifes held  out  as  an  encouragement 
to  their  zeal  and  perfeverance.  The 
Baron  de  Walchen  Stedz,  who  has 
a  regiment  of  cavalry  in  the  em- 
prefs's  fervice,  was.  appointed  com- 
mander iu  chief  upon  this  expedi- 
tion. His  corps  confifted  of  810 
chofen  men,  who  were  led  on  by  107 
officers  pf  different  degrees  of  dis- 
tinction, and  accompanied  sby.  pio- 
neers, artillery-men,  handycraftf- 
men,  draughtsmen,  engineers,  and 
an  historiographer.  We  fuppofe 
naturalifls  and  aftrodorners  were, 
included  in  fome  of  thefe  defcrip- 
tions. It  need  fcarcely  be  obferved, 
that  they  were  amply  provided  with 
all  manner  of  neceifaries,  and  that 
they  were  furniihed  wjth  credential* 

-fuited 


Digitized  by  Lj(    0QI< 


t*o]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


United  to  every  circymftance  and 
jitDation.  It  was  fuppofed  that  the 
•xpedition  could  not  be  completed 
tinder  three  years. 

The  only  fruit  of  their  difcoveries 
which  has  yet  reached  our  know- 
ledge, was  that  of'  a  fmall  fugitive 
colony  of  Grangers  and  Christians, 
who  they  found  flint  up  from  the 
-world,  in  a  moil  fequeftered  part  of 
the  wilds  of  Caucafusj.  and  who, 
in  the  language  of  the  country,  are 
called  Tifcheches .  Thefe  poor  peo- 
ple are  faid  to  lead  lives  of  the  raoft 
exemplary  piety,  and  to  exhibit  a 
primaeval  simplicity  of  manners.—- 
They  are  totally  ignorant  of  their 
origin,  any  farther  than  knowing 
that  they  are  ftrangers,  which  they 
are  likewife  conlidered  by  the  fcat- 
tered  neighbouring  nations.  From 
an  affinity  in  their  language,  and 
tfome  other  circumftances,  they  are 
fuppofed  to  be  defcended  from  a 
colony  of  Bohemians,  who  flying 
from  the  religious  perfections  in 
their  own  country,  towards  the  clofe 
of  the  fifteenth  century,  found  at 
length  a  refuge  from  oppreffion,  in 
the  diftance  from  the  reftofmankind 
which  thefe  remote  defarts  afforded. 


or  were  already  made.  They  were 
to  embark  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  Anadir,  and  to  profecute  with 
greater  accuracy  and  ftri6ter  obfer- 
vation  thofe  difcoveries  which  had 
been  made  by  former  navigators* 
of  feveral  inhabited  iflands  lying 
about  the  64th  degree  of  latitude, 
in  fituations  advantageous  for  trade. 
Th^y  were  then  to  double  the  Capo 
of  Tfchurfky,  the  fuppofed  ne  plus 
ultra  of  the  Ruffian  navigators,  (al* 
though  they  affirm  the  contrary) 
and  entering  the  Straits  which  fe- 
parate  Siberia  from  America,  to 
purfue  their  voyage  at  leaft  to  the 
74th  degree  of  latitude;  but  if 
they  find  the  feas  pradticable,  to 
proceed  as  much  farther  as  circura* 
fiances  will  permit, 

It  is  a  fingular  circumftance,  at 
leaft  in  the  modern  hiftory  of  the 
Old  World,  for  a  prince  to  be  un- 
der the  neceflity  of  undertaking 
great  expeditions  by  fea  and  land, 
in  order  to  difcover  new  countries." 
within  his  own  dominions.  Such 
is  the  vaitnefs  of  that  unbounded 
empire  ! 

But  the  great  work,  which,  if 
completed,  is  to  prove  a  Jafting 
monument  to  the  glory  of  Cathe* 
rine,  is  the  navigable  canal  in  the 
province  of  Twer,  which,  by  open-r 
ing  a  communication  between  the. 
river  Twertz  and  the  Mifta,  the  for- 
mer of  which  falls  dire&ly  into 
the  Wolga,  and  the  latter,  by  ;the 
great  lakes,  opens  the  paflage  to 
the  Neva,  will  not  only  eftabliih 
an  inland  navigation  through  all 
the  vaft  countries  that  lie  between 
the  fhores '  of  the  Cafpian  ancl  th© 
Baltic,  but  will  a&ually  unite  thefe 
diftant  feas — an  union  unexampled 
in  the  hiftory  of  mankind.  „  Thia 
great  work  wate  fo  far  advanced  in. 
thefummer  of  1785,  as  to  occafion. 


.Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HlSTOft*.  Of  EUROPE. 


tut 


fc  vifit  from  the  emprefs  in  perfon, 
iattended  by  a  considerable  part  of 
the  court, 

Towards  the  clofe  of  the  fame 
year,  a  treaty  of  commerce  was 
concluded  with  the  emperor,  which 
afforded  great  advantages  to  his 
fubjects,  who,  befides  their  Ijeing 
in  general    placed  upon  a  footing 

-  with  the  moft  favoured  nations, 
were  granted  feveral  peculiar  pri- 
vileges. Among  thefe  was  the 
claufe  which  granted  them  an  ex- 
emption from  all  duties  in  the  port 
of  Riga,  and  which  placed  them  in 
all  refpects  upon  the  footing  of  na- 
tive inhabitants  in  that  city.  In 
general,  however,  the  advantages 
were  reciprocal ;  fuch  as  in  lower- 
ing the  duties  upon  Hungarian 
wines  on  one  fide,  and  thofe  upon 
leather,  hides,  and  other  commo- 
dities, which  might  in  a  good  mea- 
fure  be  oonfidered  as  ftaple,  upon 
the  other.  Upon  the  whole,  the 
treaty  feemed  -evidently  calculated 
to  eftabliih  the  eafieft  poffible  in- 
tercourfe,  with  the  moft  intimate 
and  lading  connections,  between 
the  fubjects  of  both  empires ;  fo 
that  though  the  terms  of  the  treaty 
limited  its  duration  to  twelve  years, 
it  appeared  that  the  mutual  friend- 
ifliip  which  it,  was  to  produce  a- 
mong  the  people  was  intended  to 
-be  hereditary^  vUpon  this  princi- 
ple, feveral  cities  and  trading  towns 

:  in  both  empires  were  place*d  upon 
the  footing  of  open  markets,  where 
the  foreign  inhabitant,  or  even  tem- 
porary refident,  on  either  fide*  was  to 
enjoy  a  fort  of  denizenihip,  and  to 
pofTefs  the  fame  fecurity  and  advan- 
tages in  trade  with  the  native.  The 
contracting  parties  likewife  particu- 
larly bound  themfelves  to  a  ftrict 
adherence  to  the  terms  and  princi- 
ples of- that  regulation  or  compact 


of  which  the  erriprefs  had  been  ia- 
ftitutrefs  in  the  late  war,  and  which 
has  been  fo  well  known  under  the 
denomination  of  the  Armed  Neu- 
trality ;  and  which,  though  now  otf 
fome  ftanding,  flie  ftill  feems  to  re- 
gard with  all  the  predilection  wljich 
novelty  gives  to  a  favourite  fcheraeu 

A  treaty  of  commerce  with  France 
was  likewife  at  this  time  in  nego- 
ciation,  and  has  finee  been  con- 
cluded. Similar  negociations  were, 
at  the  fame  time  in*  train  with  fe<* 
veral  other  nations.  Yet,  with  thi* 
prevalent  difpofitioa  to  the  form* 
ing  of  new  connections  in -trade* 
the  old  treaty  of  commerce  \ritht 
England  (which  had  fo  long  been 
confidered  at  the  moft  favoured  na- 
tion, and  entitled  to  peculiar  pri- 
vileges in  Ruffia)  was  now  fuffered 
to  expire,  nor  has  it  yet  been  re- 
newed. The  Englifh  had  many 
grounds,  without  reckoning  po- 
litical •  caufes  or  motives,  where-  : 
on  to  fupport  their  claims  to  pe- 
culiar favour  and  privileges  in  Ruf- 
fia. Among  others,  it  is  not, to  be 
forgotten,  that  the  EAgliih  were 
not  only  the  firft  people  who  ever 
opened  a  commerce  with  Ruflia  by 
fea,  but  that  they  were  the  rim 
who  difcovered  her  at  all  pofleffing 
an  acceffible  fea  coaft.  To  them, 
therefore,  Archangel  owe,d  her  rife 
from  a  poor  fiihing  village  to  be 
the  great  emporium  of  norther* 
trade  j  to,  that  fcaufe  were  the  ad- 
joining deiart  provinces  indebted 
for  the  degree  of  culture,  improve- 
ment, and  civilization,  which  they  ' 
received-  and  the  whole  empire,  N 
for  thereby  obtaining  a  ready  vent 
for  their  own  goods,  and  an  eafy 
fupply  of  the  numberlefs  European 
commodities  which  they  wanted. 

But  the  emprefs  feems  to  be  fart 
departing- from  that  line  of  policy 

whkfe 


Digitized  b/VjOOQlC 


*4*!l      ANNUAL   REGIS?  Eft,    i7U, 


which  had  been  fo  long  generally 
purfued  by  her  predeceflbirs  as  well 
as  herfelf,  in  their  conduct  with  re- 
ijpect  to  England  and  France.  The 
friendfhip  fhewn,  and  the  effectual 
fervice  done  by  England,  in  that 
war  againft  the  Ottomans  which 
covered  her  reign  With  glory,  and 
from  which  Ruflia  has  derived  fuch 
traft  acquifitions  of  territory,  and  fp 
great  an  extenfion  bf  at  leaft  ap- 
parent power,  was  but  ill  returned 
by,  the  latter  in  her  fubfequent  con- 
dud,  at  the  time  that  Great  Britain 
was  opprelTed  and  nearly  over- 
borne by  the  greateft  combination 
of  hoftile  power  which  has  been 
formed  againft  any  (ingle  ftate  in 
modern  times.  The  fcheme  of  the 
armed  neutrality  was  formed  upon 
principles  as  unfriendly  to  Eng- 
land, and,  intentionally,  if  not  ac- 
tually, as  inimical  to  her  interefts, 
^  as  any  thing  ihort  of  abfolute  hof- 
tility  could  well  be  3  nor  did  it 
afford  much  lefs  encouragement  to 
her  numerous  enemies,  nor  depref- 
iion  to  herfelf  (for  friends  fhe  had 
none)  than  an  actual  declaration  of 
War  from  Ruflia  would  have  done. 

Indeed  the  wifdom  of  the  policy 

adopted  by   Great   Britain  in  that 

Ruiiian  and  Ottoman  war  was  much 

queftioned,  and  her  conduct  no  lefs 

by  not  a  few, 

inted  with  the 

lurope,  as  well 

of  its  refpec- 

>n tended,  that 

i  ancient  prin- 

e  ftrait  line  of 

raging  or  ad- 

ie  any  hoftile 

(fairs,  without 

her  by  nature 

at  to  lead  her 

fere,  from  the 

of  Finland  to 


the  extremities  of  the  Meditcr* 
ranean,  '  and  there  to  aid  of  en- . 
Courage  her  in  acquiring  pofTeffion* 
which  might  enable  her  to  eftablifli 
a  formidable  naval  force  in  thofe 
central  feas,  which  would  afford 
her  an  opportunity  of  continual  in- 
terference in  the  concerns  of  all  the 
ftates  of  Europe,  was  reprefented  as 
fuch  a  violation  of  all  the  obvious 
principles  of  policy,  that  it  feenoed 
to  partake  more  of  the  raili  predi- 
lection of  an  individual,  than  ot 
thofe  cbld  but  comprehenfive  max- 
ims which  fhould  regulate  the  con- 
duct of  ftates,  and  which  fhould 
look  as  fully  to  future  contingen- 
cies as  to  prefent  effect. 

The  coincidence  of  views  and 
deiigns  between  Ruflia  and  the 
houfe  of  Auftria  has  drawn  the 
bands  of  their  union  fo  clofc,  that 
whatevever  excites  jealoufy  or  dif* 
fatisfaction  id  the  one  is  fure  to 
operate  .no  lefs  powerfully  upon  the 
other  j  a  circumftance  by  no  means 
tending  to  render  the  fudden  and 
extraordinary  friendfhip  which  has 
fprung  up  between  them  the  more 
pleaiing  to  other  "ftates.  This  was 
fully  exemplified  in  the  hafty  and 
uncalled-for  fentence,  without  be* 
ing  authorized  as  a  judge  or  media* 
tor  to.  interfere,  which  Ruflia  pro- 
nounced againft  Holland  on  the  af* 
fair  of  the  Schelde.  The  part  taken 
by  the  king,  of  Great  Britain,  as 
elector  of  Hanover,  in  his  acceflion 
to  the  Germanic  league,  was,  with- 
out queftion,  the  caufe  of  diftafle 
with  both  thefe  formidable  powers 
towards  England  :  it  was  reported, 
and  probably  not  without  founda- 
tion, that  the  court  of  Peter  (burgh 
was  no  lefs  zealous  or  urgent  than 
that  of  Vienna,  firft  in  its  endea- 
vours to  prevent  the  acceflion  to 
that  league,  and  then  in  ufing  every 

pofliblt' 


.  Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORYOF   EUROPE.        [itf 


J>olfible  means  which  could  induce 
the  king  to.  a  renunciation  of  it. 
The  failure  in  both  produced  fuch 
effects  as  were  to  be  expected  from 
the  character  and  refpective  fitua- 
tion  of  the  parties. 

It  is  not,  however,  to  be  forgot- 
ten, that  the  commerce  with  Eng- 
land is  to  the  full  as  effential  to 
Ruflia  as  to  the  former  ;  that  a 
very  confiderable  annual  balance, 
in  money,  is  gained  by  her  from 
England  on  that  trade;  that  no 
merchants,  with  fmaller  capitals  or 
Jefs  commercial  fpiritthan  the  Eng- 
lish, could  or  would  adventure  the 
large  fums  of  money  which,  they 
conftantly  and  neceflarily  advance 
long  before  the  period  of  a  return, 
in  order  to  invigorate  the  manu- 
factures, to  fet  the  people  to  work 
in  a  wide  and  poor  country,  and  to 
enable  the  fmall  traders  to  bring 
the  goods,  whether  ftaple  or  manu- 
facture, from  their  refpective  and 
remote  diftricts  to  market;  and 
that  without  this  eflential  pecuni- 
ary affiftance,  a  confequent  decreafe 
of  induftry  and  product  muft  in- 
evitably take  place,  trade  and  ma- 
nufacture would  languifh,  and  what- 
ever there  was  would  become  a 
monopoly  in  the  hands  of  a  few 
epalent  '  natives,  whofe  avarice 
would  encumber  it  with  fuch  ob- 
ftructions  as  would  bring  it  to  no- 
thing. The  advantages  being  thus 
reciprocal;  the  evil  of  any  inter- 
ruption to  the  long  eftablifhed  com- 
merce between  the  two  countries 
(if  fuch  it  really  would  be  to  Eng- 
land, .  which  is  a  queftion  of  much 
doubt)  is  likely  to  cure  itfelf;  and 
firings,  if  not/  carried  too  far,  will 
.probably,  in  defiance1  of  caprice  or 
ill-humour,  as  in  other  cafes  of 
improper  reitrictions  on  trade,  re- 
turn to  their  iiaturalchanneL   Com- 


merce once  loft  is  with  great  dif-i 
ficulty  recovered ;  and  it  happens 
well  to  mankind  m  general,  that 
there  are  but  few  produces  confined 
entirely  fo  any  one  country.  Our 
countrymen  and  old  fellow-fubjects 
the  Americans  would  joyfully  fup- 
ply  the  place  of  Ruflia  in  many  re- 
flects ;  and  thofe  articles  in  which 
they  are  yet  deficient  might  be  pro-* 
cured  in  the  intermediate  time. 

An  irregular,  expenfive,  and  de- 
'  ftructive,  though  not  brilliant  war, 
has  been  carried  on  with  increafing 
action  and  effect  between  the  Ruf- 
fians-and  the  Tartar  nations  inhabit- 
ing the  regions  of  Caucafus  and  the 
Cafpian,  ever  fince  the  violent  feifc- 
ure  by  the  former  of  the  Crimea, 
and  the .  neighbouring  countries. 
The  circumftances  of  thefe  remote 
tranfactions  can  at  prefent  be,  but 
very  imperfectly  known,  and  would 
not  be  very  interefting  if  they  were, 
any  farther  than  as  they  tend  to 
difplay  the  generous  and  defperate 
efforts  which  a  people  naturally 
brave  and  warlike  will  make,  un- 
der the  greateft  poilible  di  fad  van- 
tages, in  the  contention  for  their 
rights  and  liberties.  The  condi- 
tion of  the  contending  parties  was, 
indeed,  very  unequal :  the  one 
pofleiled  numbers  and  courage,  with 
fuch  advantages  as  the  ineffective- 
neis  of  their  means  could  enable 
tli em  to  derive  from  difficult  coun- 
tries; covered  with  vaft  mountains, 
and  abounding  with  inacceffiblc 
polls  and  dangerous  defiles;  but 
they  wanted  generals,  military  {kill, 
experienced  officers,  and,  befides 
artillery,  all  other  effective  weapons 
and.  machines  for  offence  or  de- 
fence ;  the  fword  and  the  arrow, 
once  fo  decifive  in  the  field,  being 
now  of  fmall  avail  in  war.  They 
being  likewife  compofed  of  a  num- 
ber 


Digitized  bytjOOQlC 


*44].     ANNtJAL    REGiST  ER,  i?g«. 

with  arms  and  necerTaries  than  their 


ber  of  (mail  independent  nations* 
no  one  leader  was  fumifhed  with 
fuch  coercive  powers  as  could  give 
due  efficacy  to  the  union.  Neither 
is  the  manxier  of  life,  or  habits  of 
the  Tartars,  fuited  to  the  fupport 
fcf,  a  continual  war  ;  nor  would  their 
poverty  and  deficiency  of  refources 
admit  the  poffibility  of  their  keeri- 
ing  the  iield  for  any. confiderable 
length  of  time>  had  their  difpofitions 
•  been  otherwife. 

On  the  other  hand,  their  potent 
enemy,  befides  unlimited  power  and 
refource,  and  numbers  at  all  times 
fuited  to  the  exigency,  were  them- 
jfeives  matters  in  the  art  of  war,  and 
adepts  in  all  its  great  modern  im- 
provements.     They  poffeffed  able 
generals,  experienced  officers  of  ail 
nations,  and  a  line  compoied  of"  ve- 
teran troops,   inured  to  war,  and 
trained  up  in  the  fevered  difcipline  5 
they  were  covered  with  a  tremeg- 
dous  artillery,  abundantly  fumifhed 
with  every  weapon  and  engine  in- 
vented either  for  defence   or   de- 
ftru&ion,  fupported  by  ftores,  ma- 
gazines, and  money,  and  could  with 
little  difficulty  fortify  in  a  fhort  time 
whatever  ports  they  thought  pro- 
per, in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  render 
them  impregnable  to  the    enemy. 
The  Ruffians  were  likewife  joined 
by  feveral  bodies  of  dependent  Tar- 
tars,   and    of   Coflacks   porTeffing 
fimilar  qualities,  who  encountered 
rn   manner, 
the  fudderi- 
heir  attacks 
in  the  en- 
and  fatigue; 
the  nature 
try  and  cli- 
)digiou$  ad- 
:  under  the 
officers,  and 
:er  provided 


enemy., 

But  what  greater  and  more  deci- 
dve  fuperiority  need  be  mentioned, 
than  that  which  the  Ruffians7 deriv- 
ed from  their  acting  in  concert  un- 
der a  fole  command $  from  their 
being  enabled  at  all  times  to  keep* 
collected  in  ftrong  bodies  ready  for 
action;  and  from  their  ppifeffing 
an  advantage  which  the  Roman  le- 
gions wanted;  that  their  artillery 
rendered  every  camp  an  impreg* 
nable  fortrefs  to  the  enemy  ?  Un- 
der thefe  circumftances  they  could 
lie  quiet  and  fecufe  while  the  ^ne- 
my  was  exhaufting  his  vigour  in 
fruitlefsly  traverfing  the  defarts,  and 
wait  coolly  for  that  occasion  of  ad- 
vantage which  could  not  but  foon 
offer:  wjiild  the  Tartars,  deflitote 
of  ftores  and  magazines,  and  havf 
ing  no  other  provifion  than  die  fmall 
bag  of  millet  which  each  man  car- 
ried, or  one  of  the  horfes  which  he 
rode  when  that  failed,  however 
eminent  their  fucceffes  might  be^ 
or  however  inviting  the  occasions' 
for  keeping  the  field,  were  obliged 
of  neceffity,  at  a  given  time*  to  fe* 
pa  rate  and  retire  to  their  respective' 
hordes  for  fubfiftence.  Then  came7 
on  the  inevitable  feafon  of  danger 
and  ruin ;  for,  living  in  tents,  or  in 
villages  not  lefs  open  and  defence* 
lefs,  they  were  either  furprized  and 
cut  to  pieces  by  their  active  and 
raercilefs  enemy,  or  if  they  had  t W 
fortune,  by  notice  or  accident v  to  ef* 
cape  the  fwofd,  the  lofs  of  their 
flocks  and  herds  was  fcarceiy  lefs 
deftrnctive  in  its  confcquences. 

In  fuch  a  ft  ate  of  inequality  the* 
object  of  furprize  is,  how  a  waf 
could  st  all  exiit ;  or  at  raoft,  how 
its  exiftence  could  be  much  more 
than  ephemeral.  Yet  under  thefe 
disadvantages,  which  feemed  capa^ 
1  bfc 


Digitized  by  VjOO( 


HtgffO'&Y    OF    EUROPE. 


t»4* 


We  of  annihilating  all  the  princi- 
ples of  courage,  excepting  merely 
the  confeioufnefs  of  its  own  dignity, 
the  Tartars  appear  to  have  long 
fupported  it  with  unexampled  con- 
ftancy  and  refolution  5  and  notwith- 
standing the  dearth  of  intelligence 
that  has  prevailed  upon  the  fubject, 
enough  has  tranfpired  to  ihew  that 
the  Rufliahs  have  found  it  full  of 
difficulty  and  trouble  5  that  their 
victories  have  by  no  means  been 
'  decifive  j  and  that  however  deftruc- 
tive  they  proved  to  the  enemy, 
they  havev  not  been  bloodlefs  to 
themfelves. 

Some  circumftances  of  notoriety 
were  neceflfary  to  the  communica- 
tion of  fuch  intelligence  as  the  pub- 
lic have  received  relative  to  thefe 
tranfactions.  The  fall  of  a  brave 
German  prince,  of  the  houfe  of 
HeiTe  Rhinfels,  in  the  autumn  of 
1784,  gave  occafion  to  the  mention 
of  an  action,  which  probably  would 
-not  otherwise  have  been  heard  of. 
Its  nature  was,  however,  very  dif- 
ferently reprefented.  While  a  vic- 
tory nearly  bloodlefs,  excepting  in 
the  misfortune  that  befel  the  prince, 
was  claimed  on  one  fide,  the  ac- 
counts from  Conftantinople  and  Pa- 
ris described  that  event  as  the  con- 
fequence  of  hard  and  defperate 
fighting.  The  fame  variation  pre- 
vailed in  general  in  the  accounts 
which  were  received  through  the 
medium  of  either  of  thofe  places, 
and  thofe  which  were  either  pub- 
lifhed  at  or  received  from  Peterf- 
burgh :  from  which  it  may  be  no 
very  unfair  conclufion,  that  exact 
information  was  not  the  princi* 
pal  object  in  any  of  their  fiate- 
ments. 

'g(        A  victory  claimed   by 

""  $'    Ruflia    in    the   following 
year  was  pretty  well  authenticated 

*V9L.  XXVIII. 


by  the  capture  of  a  Tartar  than, 
two  of  his  fons,  and  a  nephew,  who 
were  all  brought  prisoners  to  Pe- 
tertfburgh.  This  action  was>  how- 
ever, acknowledged,  even  from 
thence,  to  have  been  very  feverej 
and  it  was  owned,  that  in  the  be- 
ginning the  (hock  fell  fo  heavily 
upon  the  regiment  of  Aftracan,  that 
it  was  defeated,  ruined,  and  its  co- 
lonel killed. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  fame 
year,  great  havock  was  made  and 
execution  done  among  the  Cuban 
Tartars,  by  the  Ruffians.  It  would 
feem  that  the  whole  nation  nad  been 
either  fubdued,  cut  off,  or  totally 
mined,  by  the  detraction  of  their 
villages,  and  the  lofs  of  their  flocks 
and  herds  at  the  approach  of  win- 
ter. Brigadier  general  ApraxinA 
and  a  colonel  Nagel,  diftinguiihed 
themfelves  greatly  about  this  time, 
either  againft  the  Cuban,  or  fome 
other -nations  of  Tartars  -,  for  we 
cannot  pretend  to  afcertain  dates, 
places,  or  circumftances.  It  ap- 
pears, however,  that  colonel  Nagel 
had  the  honour  of  being  the  firfl;  , 
who  defeated  the  new  prophet, 
Sheich  Man  four,  and  his  adherents  j 
who  being  difappointed  in  the  fuc- 
sour  which  he  had  taught  them  to 
expect  from  heaven,  were  doomed 
to  a  fore  conviction,  that  their  fan  a- 
ticifm  was  no  proof  whatever  againft 
the  Ruffian  bayonets.  The  pro- 
phet fought  boldly  on  foot,  at  the 
head, of  feven  or  eight 'thoufand  of 
his  followers,  who  were  in  the  fame 
fituation  (which  evidently  fhews 
that  they  were  not  Tartars)  5  and  his 
own  reliance  on  the  divine  aid  ap- 
pears to  have  been  fo  weak,  that  a* 
a  fubftitute  he  employed  his  inven* 
tion  in  the  conftruction  of  fome  fort 
of  rolling  machines,  which  in  their 
approach  to  the  enemy  they  puihed 


Digitized  by  Vj( 


i46]  ,  A  N  N  VU  A  L   REGISTER,    1786. 


on  before  them,  as  a  cover  from 
their  lire.  But  the  Ruffian  foot 
rufhing  on  furioufly  with  their  bay- 
onets, and  the  cavalry  falling  in 
pell-mell  upon  the  wings  and  rear, 
this  rabble  was  foon  routed,  and 
'  purfued  with  unremitting  flaughter. 
The  impoftor  was  wounded,  but  had 
the  fortune  to  elcape. 

fi^  The  emprefs  had  pub- 
'  ' ,  licly  announced,  in  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year  of  which  we 
are  to  treat,  her  intention  of  mak- 
ing a  magnificent  progrefs  to  Cher- 
fon  and  the  Crimea,  in  order  to  her 
being  crowned  fovereign  of  the  new 

•  conquefts.      This  defign  feems  ^t 

•  firft  to  have  been  conceived  in  the 
mod  fplendid  icjeas  of  eaftern  mag- 
nificence and  grandeur.  It  was 
given  out  that  Catharine  was  to  be 
crowned  emprefs  of  Taurida,  and  to 
be  declared  prote&refs  or  autocra- 

•  trix  of  all  the  nations  of  Tartars. 
That,  in  order  to  render  the  fo- 
lemnization  of  this  great  a&the 
more  auguft,  awful,  and  more  ex- 
tend vely  ftriking,  (lie  was  to  be  at- 
tended by  the  patriarch,  by  fix 
archbiihops,  and  by  a  great  body 
of  other  clergy;  which,  with  the 
court  and  its  attendants,  muft  have 
formed  a  prodigious  number.  Tri- 
umphal arches  were  to  be  erected, 
and  enriched  with  fculpture,  devices 

ipproaches 
:own  5  the 
m  the  lat- 
triumphal 
;  and  the 
xpe&ed  to 
nultitudes 
images  to 
;  regarded 
(ides  to  be 
army,  to 
n  fixregi- 
12  of  in- 


fantry. The  magnificence  of  thfc 
proceflion,  whether  by  land  or  by 
water,  was  to  be  fuited  to  that  of 
the  'grand  concluding  ceremonial. 
A  fleet  of  gallies  ^ere  built  on  the 
Nieper,  and  befides  their  ornaments 
and  embelliihments,  were  to  be  fur- 
ni flied  with  all  the  accommodations 
neceffary  for  a  court,  or  ufually 
found  in  a  great  city.  It  feemed  as 
if  coft  was  a  matter  not  to  bethought 
of  in  thefe  -  preparations  5  and  it 
feems  fcarcely  credible,  though  po- 
fitively  Allerted,  that  the  prodigious 
fura  of  feven  millions  of  roubles, 
(amounting  to  about  a  million  and 
a  half  iterling)  had  been  originally 
dedicated  to  the  purpofe  only  of 
thofe  prefents  which  were  to  be  dis- 
tributed at  the  coronation.  -  It  may 
poflibly  be  thought,  that  the  return 
of  Alexander  from  India,  and  the 
voyage  on  the  Cydnus,  were  not  en- 
tirely out  of  mind  in  the  conception 
of  this  defign. 

We  are  probably  to  make  the 
fame  allowance  for  vanity  and  ex- 
aggeration in  fome  of  thefe  accounts, 
which  is  ufually  necerlary  in  fimilar 
cafes  j  but  it  is,  however,  certain, 
.that  every  thing  that  could  be  con- 
ceived fplendid  or-  grand,  was  in- 
cluded in  the  original  defign,  and 
the  ufual  magnificence*  of  the  em- 
prefs feems,  to  give  a  fandtion  to  the 
whole.  It  is  like  wife  to  be  remem- 
bered, that  there  was  a  great  poli- 
tical obje6t  in  view  in  this  fplen- 
dour  and  expence.  That  it  was  ' 
undoubtedly  expected  that  all  the 
adjoining  nations  would  have  been 
either  terrified  by  the  power,  or 
fafcinated  by  the  pomp,  Iplendour, 
and  wealth,  which  were  now  to  be 
displayed,  and  that  the  ^Tartar 
chiefs,  under  thefe,  imprefiions, 
would  not  only  have  renderedT  the 
fcene  truly  glorious,  by  coming  frem 
>  all 


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{*47 


all  parts  to  do  homage  to  the  new 
emprefs  of  the  eaft,  but  that  me 
'  would  thereby  have  enlarged  and 
fecured  her  dominion  without  the 
trouble  of  war  arra  conqueft. 

But  thefe  iroq-minded  Tartars,  do 
not  appear  ever  to  have  had  any 
true  tafte  fox"  magnificence  $  ex-, 
cepting,  indeed,  when  they  have 
occalfionally  conquered  half  the 
world,  and  that  too  much  wealth, 
and  too  long  eafe,  have  led  them  by ' 
degrees  to  depart  from  their  an- 
cient inftitutions,  and  to  adopt  the 
follies  and  vices  of  the  conquered. 
In  the  prefent  inflance,  as  foon  as 
the  intended  grand  progrefs,  and  its 
great  object,  were  known,  inftead  of 
producing  the  expected  effect,  in 
dazzling  or  terrifying  the  Tartars, 
it  ferved,  on  the  pdntrary,  as  a  fignal 
of  general  and  immediate  danger, 
to  cement  their  union  in  the  flrqng- 
efc  manner,'  and  to  urge  them  to  the 
greater!  poflible  exertion,  and  to  the 
mod  determined  refiftance.  This 
foon  became  apparent  -,  and  the  war 
daily  became  more  ferious.  The 
different  confederacies  of  Tartars 
were  faid,  in  a  little  time,  to  amount 
to  a  hundred  thoufand  men ;  they 
were  faid  to  have  fhewn  an  umifual 
degree  of  judgment  and  ikill  iri 
feizing  •  the  gorges  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  pcSfeffing  themfelves  of 
the  ftrong  pofts  and  leading  paries  in 
fuch  a  manner,  that  while  they  were 
in  a  great  meafure  fecure  themfelves 
from  attack,  they  interrupted  in  a 
very  dangerous  degree  the  Ruffians 
communications,  not  only  between 
different  parts  of  the  conquered 
countries,  but  between  their  armie* 
arid  home.  We  are  to  obferve,  that 
as  the  particular  fcenes  of  thefe 
transactions  are  never  fpccifled  in 
the  loofe  accounts  given  \  of  them, 


no  aid  can  be  derived  from  geogra- 
phy in  eitimatirtg  their  validity. 

It  however  appears,  that  the  de- 
fultory  inroads  of  the  Tartars  had 
caufed  much  trouble  in  the  new 
countries,  and  kept  the  Ruffian  troops 
on  thp  frontiers  in  conftant  em- 
ployment through  the  rummer.— 
Whether  the  meafure  adopted  by 
the  former  of  cutting  off  the  com- 
munications led  to  the  fucceeding 
event,  or  from  whatever  other  caufe 
it  might  have  proceeded,  we  are  to- 
tally uninformed,  but  in  the  fuc- 
ceeding autumn  the  mod  ebniider- 
able  action  of  the  war  took^lace 
between  the  Ruffians  and  Tartars : 
the  accounts  of  it  from  Peteriburgh 
were  very  fhort;  fome  mentioning 
that  their  troops  had  received  a 
check,  and  others  acknowledging  a 
defeat  on  the  fide  6f  Cancafus  5  but 
it  was  a  bare  as  well  as  unwilling 
acknowledgment  j  not  a  fingle, par- 
ticular of  the  action,  nor  any  fpeci- 
h* cation  of  the  number  engaged,  or 
lofs  fuflained  on  either  fide,  being 
given.  It  was,  however,  repeated 
in  fubfequent  accounts  3  and  what 
mewed  the  affair  to  be  of  no  fmaU 
confederation,  was,  that  this  lofs  w;as 
faid  to  have  greatly  fhaken  the  in* 
tereft^and  power  of  that  fupreme 
favourite,#  prince  Potemkin,  who 
had  long  been  'considered  as  para- 
mount in  the  affairs  of  that  em-  ' 
pi  re. 

Thatpririce  was  not  himfelf  in 
the  action,  but  as  he  had  the  unli- 
mited government  of  thofe  regions, 
and  the  ible  conduct  of.  the  war,  he 
was  liable  Of  courfe  to  blame  for 
mifadvonture,  ancj  was  charged  in 
this  inflance  with  fuffef  ing  the  army 
to  be  furprized.  1  here  are  two  ill 
coniequences  that  attend  a  glaring 
and  habitual  mifreprefentation  .of 
[IQ  a  -  '  -       publig 


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148]     ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


public  affairs,  or  a  concealment  of 
public  loffes  3  the  one  is,  that  if  a 
true  ftatement  ever  becomes  necef- 
fary  it  is  not  credited,  and  in  cafe 
of  concealment,  that  the  lots  is  al- 
ways fuppoied  and  confidered  as 
being  much  greater  than  it  really 
is.  This  was  exemplified  in  the 
prefent  inftance.  The  accounts  from 
Conftantinople,  as  well  as  thole 
through  the  medium  of  France,  re- 
prefen^ted  this  as  a  formal  and  deci- 
sive battle,  in  which,  they  laid,  that 
an  army  ,  of  30,000  Ruffians  had 
been  totally  defeated,  and  nearly 
cut  to  pieces.  Thefe  are,  however, 
as  totally  deflitute  of  all  circum- 
flances  and  incidents,  as'thofe  from 
Petertburgh  j  and  are  undoubtedly 
as  faulty  in  one  refpect,  as  the  lat- 
ter in  the  other. 

This  extraordinary  and  unex- 
pected reliftance  of/  the  Tartars  oc- 
^alioned,  however,  a  great  alteration 
in  the  fcheme  of  the  progrefs  to 
Cherfon.^  It  feems  to  have  been 
greatly  narrowed  in  the  defign,  to 
have  been  difencumbered  of  much 
of  its  intended  fuperb  magnificence  5 
the  great  object  of  the  coronation, 
Sand  of  the  ailumption  of  new  titles, 
was  entirely  given  up>  the  formi- 
dable military  force  that  was  expect- 
ed did  net  attend  5  the  proceifion 
did  not  take  place  until  the  follow- 
ing year ;  and  the  only  en4  obtained, 
faving  the  conferences  held  with 
the  king  of  Poland  and  the  emper 
r^r,  teemed  to  be  nothing  more 
than  the  emprefs's  ihevving  herfelf 
to  the  new  fubjects,  and,  appear- 
ing to  take  fome  fort  of  formal 
polTeflion  of  Cherfon  and  the  Cri- 
mea. 

During  the  war  thus  carried  on 
in  thofe  unmeafured  and  almoft  un- 
koewjutgions,  whichfefgasd  Scarce- 


ly to  know  any  particular  owner, 
the  Georgians  were  forely  prefled 
by  their  ancient  neighbours  and 
eternal  enemies  ,  the  Lefghis  Tar- 
tars ;  a  nation  as  brave  as  them- 
felves,  but  who;  being  lefs  civiliz- 
ed, were  infinitely  more  ferocious. 
A  fort  of  conftant  war,  generally 
confined  to  depredation  and  deful- 
tory  incurfion,  had  probably  at  all 
times  fub filled  between  them  5  but 
the  great  objects  of  religion,  gene- 
ral liberty  and  fecurity,  being  now 
at  flake  with  the  Tartars,  and  the 
Georgians  allies  to  their  mortal 
enemy,  the  Lefghis,  who  were  prin- 
cipal members  of  the  confederacy, 
attacked  them  with  a  fury  and  ef- 
fect before  unknown.  The  Geor- 
gians, overborne  and  diftrefTed  in 
this  war,  looked  in  vain  for  protec- 
tion from  Ruffia;  wrhich  was  too 
much  embarrafied  and  too  tiiftant 
to  afford  any  effectual  aid;  a  cir- 
cumftance  which  could  not  but  be 
extremely  vexatious  to  the  latter, 
and  the  more  fo,  if  the  Georgians 
at  this  time  (which  feems  probable) 
fubmitted  to  defcend  from  the  ftate 
of  allies  to  that  of  vaflalage,  in  the 
hope  of  obtaining  thereby  the 
more  fpeedy  and  effectual  pro- 
tection, 

The  court  of  Peterfburgh  feem- 
cd  to  vent  her  indignation  entirely 
upon  the  Porte,  for  all  the  vexation 
which  this  arid  other  untoward  eir- 
cumftances  excited.  The  Otto- 
mans were  charged  with  being  the 
fomentors  of  the  war,  or  (what  was 
a  more  favourite  term)  rebellion  ot* 
the  Tartars ;  and  were  to  be  made 
refponfibje  for  their  whole  conduft. 
No  great  ceremony  was  ufed  at 
Constantinople  upon  thefe  occasions; 
threats  of  war,  and  denunciations  of 
the  heavieil  vengeance,  were  fami- 
liar. 


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[*4* 


fiar.  Indeed,  this  haughty  tone; 
with  a  high  affumption  of  authority, 
only  ufual  to  vaflals,  is  what  the 
Ottoman  pride  has  been  conftantly 
doomed  to  fubmit  to,  ever  fince 
its  laft  unfortunate  and  inglorious 
war. 

(  No  meafures  were,  however,  left 
untried,  which  could  tend  to  re- 
concile the  Tartars  to  the  change 
that  was  meditated  in  their  con- 
dition, and  induce  them  to  a  vo- 
luntary fubmiflion  to  the  Ruffian 
government.  Repeated  proclama- 
tions were  iffued,  afluring  them  of 
the  moft  perfect  fecurity  to  their 
religion,  and  the  moil  unlimited 
freedom  In  the  exercife  of  its  rites  3 
at  the  fame  time,  that  they  were-  to 
partake  of  all  the  temporal  advan- 
tages which  were  enjoyed  by  the 
old  fubjects  of  the  empire.  '  The 
emprefc  like  wife  irTued  an  ordinance 
which  feemed  calculated  to  afford 
immediate  conviction  how  much 
their  condition  would  be  bettered 
under  her  government,  by  announc- 
ing, that  in  their  addreffes  to  her 
they  were  not,  according  to  the 
etftern  form,  to  ftyle  themfelves  her 
Haves,  but  merely,  in  the  European 
manner,  to  fubferibe  themfelves  her 
loyal  fubjects.  But  antient  preju- 
dices are, not  eafily  fubdued;  aud 
.  it  does  riot  appear  that  this  conde- 
fcenfion  produced  any  great  effects 
in  allaying  the  obftinacy  of  the 
Tartars.    ... 

'Some  difcontent  or  jealoufy  on 
die  fide  of  the  Chinefe  occafioned 
their  putting  a  temporary  Hop  to 
the  trade  between  Ruflia  and  that 
.empire,  which  is  their  ufual  mode 
of  exprerBng  diffatisfaction  or  re- 
butment. The  caufe  of  this  mea- 
gre was  unknown  at  the  court  of 
Jteterfburgh^  but  as  that  commerce 
U  confidered  as  being  of  the  great- 


eft  '  importance  to  the  empire,  an, 
embaffy  was  in  contemplation  to 
China,  and  the  moft  fpeedy  mea- 
fures, which  die  greatnefs  of  the> 
diftance  would  admit,  were  adopt- 
ed, in  order  to  induce  th*.  court  of 
Pequin  to  appoint  commiflioners 
.to  meet  thofe  of  Rurha  upon  the. 
borders,  and  amicably  to  adjuft  the 
matters  in  difference.  But  while, 
things  were  in  this  unfettled  Rate,, 
advice  was  received  of  the  death  of  . 
Kienlong,  the  emperor  of  China,, 
a  prince  defervedly  little  lefs  than 
adored  by  his  fubjects ;  and  who, 
poffeulng  all  the  excel  lenpies  to  be 
wiftied  for  in  a  monarch  and  the 
father  of  his  people,  was  no  lets; 
diftinguiihed  by  the  elegant  accom- 
pli ih men ts  of  learning,  philofpphy, 
'and  poetry  \  in  the  latter  of  Which 
he  was  considered  fo  eminent,  that, 
tranllations  of  fome  of  his  produc- 
tions have  been  tranfmitted  into 
Europe. 

A  new  and  lingular  meafure  ha* ' 
been  adopted  by  the  emprefs  of  Ruf- 
lia, by  which,  reverting  the  ufual 
order  of  things,  inftead  of  borrow- 
ing money  from  her  fubjects,  ih<5- 
becomes  the  great  money-lender  of 
the  empire.  Upon  this  principle* 
ll?e  has  opened  a  bank,  whofe  ca- 
pital-is  to  confiftof  33  millions  of 
roubles ;  and  is  empowered  to  emit- 
bills,  with  the  currency  of  money,  to 
the  amount  of  100  millions  more  j 
(which',  at  the  loweft  eftiroate  of  the 
rouble,  amounts  to  20  millions  Iter- 
ling)  but  it  is  particularly  reftricted 
from  ever  exceeding  this  prodigious 
emifion  of  paper;  which,  indeed, 
feems  more  correfpondent  to  the  ex- 
tent than  to  the  wealth  of  the  em- 
pire. Of  the  capital  fund,  twenty- 
two  millions  is  to  be  lent  to  the  no- 
bleffe  for  the  term  of  twenty  years, 
upon  mortgages  on  their  eftates,  at 


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i$6)     ANNUAL'   REGISTER,  1786. 


an  intereft  of  five  per  cent,  bcfides  a 
payment  of  three  per  cent,  which  is 
to  be  applied  annually  towards  the 
difcharge  of  the  original  debt. '  The 
mortgages  are  not  to  include  the 
whole  eftates;  but  fuch  a  number 
of  villages,  with  the  peafants  ap- 
pertaining to  them,  as  fhall  appear 
to  the  directors  a  futncient  fecurity  -, 
the  peafants  to  be  efti  mated  at  forty 
roubles ;  but  we  have  no  certain 
knowledge  whether  whole  families 
or  heads  are  thus  rated.  The  mort- 
gaged eftates  are  not  fubject  to 
confifcafionj  but  heavy  pecuniary 
mulcts  arife  upon  any  delay  in  pay- 
ing either  the  five  per  cent,  intereft, 
or  the"  three /rr  cent,  which  is  allot- 
ted to  the  difcharge  of  the  principal ; 
and  if  thefe  mulcts  are  not  fufficient 
to  remedy  the  contumaey  or  neglect, 
the  directors  are  to  take  the  admi- 
niftration  of  the  eftate  into  their  own 
hands.  Four  periods  are  ftated  in 
the  courfe  of  the  term,  at  any  of 
which  the  borrower  may  redeem  his 
eftate* by  paying  off  the  remaining 
debt. 

The. remaining  eleven  millions  of 
the  capital  are  deftined  to  the  en- 
couragement both  of  foreign  com- 
"  merce  and  of  the  internal  trade  of 
-  the  empire,  by  being  lent  out  to  die 
merchants  and  retail  dealers  for  the 
term  of  twenty-two  years,  at  only 
four  per  cent,  intereft,  with  the  fame 
annual  application  of  three  per  cent. 
towards  the  difcharge  of  the  princi- 
pal. The  bank  is  like  wife  to  act  as 
an  infurance-office  with  refpect  to 
fire,  but  the  houfes  muft  be  built  of 


bleffe,  which  will  probably  oblige 
many  of  them  to  become  borrowers, 
however  they  may  happen  or  not  to 
approve  of  the  conditions  ;  for  they 
are  warned,  that  the  emprefs  having 
provided  fuch  a  fund  for  their  fup- 
port,  it  is  expected  that  they  will 
be  mope  punctual,  in  fulfilling  of 
their  engagements  than  they  have 
hitherto  been ;  and  that  it  is  there- 
fore ordered,  that  all  who  have  given 
bonds,  notes,  or  bills  of  exchange, 
and  have  failed  in  the  payment,  or 
who  have  contracted  any  debts  what- 
ever, fhall  be  profecuted,  without 
any  diftinction  of  perfons,  with  the 
utmoft  rigour.  As  this  admonition 
can  only  relate  to  debts  owing  to  the 
crown,  and  that  thefe/  muft  have 
arifen  generally  through  ;  the  ina- 
bility of  the  poorer,  part  of  the  no- 
bility or  landholders  to  difcharge  the 
taxes  rifing  on  their  eftates  as  they 
became  due,  it  follows  that  they 
muft  borrow  money  at  intereft  from 
it  with  one  hand,  and  pay  it  back 
at  the fame*nftant  with  the  other: 
and  that  the  inability  being  thus 
continually  increafing,  while  the 
taxes  remain  always  the  fame,  the 
eftates  will  in  time  become  fo  deeply 
involved,  as  to  reduce  the  owners  to  . 
abfolute  dependence  and  beggary; 
the  more  especially,  as  a  provident 
forefight  in  the  conduct  of  their  af- 
fairs is  perhaps  lefs  the  charac- 
teriftic  of  that  order  of  men  in 
Ruffia,  than  even  in  other  coun- 
tries. 

A  bank  founded  on  fome  of  thefe 
principles,  corrected  by-  certain  mo- 
difications, might  undoubtedly  be 
very  defirable,  and  productive  of 
much  benefit,  in  any  country  where 
the  laws  were  fuperior  to  the  will  of 
the  fovereign,  and  where  the  public 
were  fecurity  for  the  money,  and 
for  fulfilling  the  prefcribed. cove- 
nants. 


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HISTORY   OF  EUROPE. 


[i£* 


nants.  But  in^a  deipotic  govern- 
ment, which  ever  carries  the  prin- 
ciples of  inftability  in  its  very  na-: 
-iure,  where  the  ihort  but  magic 
words  "  <we  ikill"  are  paramount, 
to  all  laws,  can   in  a  breath  over- 


effect,  to  all  believers  whatever  of 
*  the  Mahometan  doctrines,  in  which, 
,  the  language  and  colouring  were  fo 
ilrong,  that  he  feemed  not  only  to 
depart  entirely  from  his  ufual  cau- 
tion and  forbearance,  but  it  appear*. 


throw  all  covenants,  and  cancel  all    ed  actually  tantamount  to  a  decla- 


obligations,  and  where  the  unfortu- 
nate fufferers  fore  not  even:  to  hint 
diilike,  much  lefs  to  claim  right,  or 
to  complain  of  wrong,  it  will  be  caiily 
feen  that  fueh  a  meafure  is  liable  to , 
be  pregnant  with  danger  and  ruin  to 
the  people  j  and  that  it  might  be 


ration  of  war.  In  this  piece  he  re- 
prefented  his  own  invariable  mode- 
ration, his  inviolable  adheronce  to 
faith  and  to  treaty,  the  repeated, 
wrongs  and  injuries  which  he  had 
endured,  the  great  conceflions  and 
Sacrifices  he  had  made,  particularly 


eafily  converted  to  an    engine  for ,  in  fubmitting  to  the  usurpation  of 
drawing  much  of  the  landed  proper-     the  Crimea  and  the  adjpining  pro 


ty,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
money  of  the  country,  within  the 
vortex  of  the  crown. 

The  reigning  duke  of  Courlapd 
has  Jong  been  out  of  favour  at  the 
court  of  Pe^rfburgh,  and  being  now 
reprefented  or  fuppofed  to  be  in  a 
precarious   ftate,  of  health,   it  has 


vinces,  through  his  anxious  defire 
of  prefer ving  the  public  tranquillity, 
and  fecuring  his  people  from  the 
numberlefs  evils  ever  incident  to 
..That  his  defign  and  endea- 


war. 


vours  were  fruftra  ted  by  the  violence, 
injuflice,  and  rapacity  of  their  ene- 
mies, by  their  repeated  violation  of 


afforded  an  opportunity  of  marching    faith  and  of  treaties;  their  ambi 
a  body  pf  Ruffian  troops  into, that    tjon  being  fo  infatiate, "that  he  no 


duchy,  under  the  colour  of  fupport 
ing  the  freedom  of  election  in  cafe 
of  his  demife>-  a  pretence  fufficient 
to  excite  tfae  rifibility  of  thofe  who 
are  not 'too  ferioufly*ah%cted  by  their 
intereff  in  the  country  to  laugh  at 
being  reminded  of  its  condition. 

While  the  Grand  Signior,  in  con- 
farmity  with  thecircuraftances  of 
the  empire,  endeavoured  in  fome 
fort  to  rehjain  the  indignation  ex- 
c)te4  by  the  continued  threat  and 
iofidt  offe.red;,  and  the  never-end- 
iQJ  claims'  and  demands  made  by 
fedfc*:  ^Je,,  however,  thought  it  ne- 
ceflj^  to  prepare  his  fubjects  for 
that  bfi  ppfOrt,  which  he  well  knew 
WW  Wl^fee  inevitable  confequence 
oth&c  views  and  conduct.  He  ac- 
cordingly  publifhed  a  fort  of  appeal 
te.tfcc  people  at  large,  and  which 

"OTicfyntly  intended  to  extend  its 


fooner  fubniitted  to  their  injuflice  in 
one  inflance,  however  great  the. 
conceffion,  than  they  immediately 
required  others  ftill  more  exorbi- 
tant than  the  former.  *  That  they 
had  fcarcely  eftablifhed  their  ufurpa- 
tions  on  the  borders  of  the  Black 
Sea,  than  they  endeavoured  to  ex- 
tend them  into  Alia,  to  countries  fo 
remote  that  they  could  not  pretend 
any  connection  with  them  j  that 
having  infidioufly  prevailed  on  fome 
of  his  vaffals  to  depart  from  their 
allegiance,  but  being  bravely  re- 
pelled by  others,  they  had  made  it 
a  ground  of  new  quarrel  with  him, 
that  be  would  not  become  the  inftru- 
ment  of  punifhing  his  fubjects  or 
friends  for  theyir  fidelity  and  courage. 
He  therefore  called  upon  all  true 
MuiTulmen  ferioully  to  reflect  upon 
their  condition,  to  arm  their  bodies 
[K]  4  and 


Digitized  by  VjjOOQI^ 


IS2]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


and  their  minds  to  withstand  the  ap- 
proaching danger,  and  to  be  ready 
with  hearts  and  with  hands  to  fup- 
port  the  ftandard  of  their  prophet 
when  it  ihould  be  exalted ;  that  it 
would  riot  be  a  war  of  ambition  but 
of  felf-defence  j  that  their  religion 
and  every  thing  dear  were  now  at 
flake,  for  that  nothing  lefs  than  the  • 
extermination  of  every  thing  Otto- 
man, and  of  all  true  believers,  could 
iatisfy  their  inveterate  enemies. 

The  moft  vigorous  meafures  were' 
at  the  fame  time  adopted  for  fup- ' 
prefling  the  diforders  of  the  empire, 
regulating  its  internal  affairs,  and 
reducing  the  malcontents1  or  rebels 
in  the  diftant  provinces,  that  its 
whole  collected  force,  without  do- 
ineftic  obftruction  or  embarraflment, 
might  be  brought  to  att  in  the  com- 
mon defence,  when  the  arduous 
<queftion  of  exigence  as  a  great  peo- 
ple, or  of  final  ruin,  came  to  be 
decided  at  the  point  of  the  fword, 
and  all  hope  muft  be  centered  in 
their  own  exertions  to  emulate  the 
courage  and  virtue  of  their  an- 
ceftors. 

The  bafha  of  Scutari,  who  had 

:na- 
jient 
had 
3pen 
lute- 
r  re- 
>rte$ 
fuc- 
'  the 
mit- 
ruel- 
-11  as 

5  ob- 
luch 
the 
and 
mies 


for  proviiion,  had  long  been  in  the 
moft  deplorable  ftate.  The  coun- 
try was  torn  to  pieces  and  defblated 
by  the  endlefs  contentions  and  wars 
between  the  rebel  Beys ;  in  which 
the  people,  befides  Supporting  their 
feveral  armies,  and  fupplying  their 
refpe&ive  extortions,  were  expofed 
to  all  the  ravage  and  devaftation 
which  they  could  have  experienced 
from  the  moft  cruel  foreign  enemy. 
Murat  Bey,  and  his  party,  had  of 
late  gained  fo  fupreme  an  afcendan- 
cy,  that  he  was  become  in  a  great 
meafqre  the  abfolute  defpot  of  that 
kingdom  5  and  was  at  leaft  fo 
without  reftri&ion  in  the  Lower 
Egypt,  which  is  fo  much  the  moft 
fruitful  and  wealthy  part  of  the 
country  4 

This  man  was  cruel  beyond  mea- 
fure,  and,  if  poflible,  more  rapa- 
cious than  he  was  cruel  j  he  poflefT- 
ed,  in  common  with  the  Mamalucks 
in  general,  a  fierce  and  unconquer- 
able courage ;  inherited  from  nature 
all  the  qualities  neceflary  to  form  a 
great  commander  and  conqueror; 
and  had  acquired,  in  the  petty  wars  • 
in  which  he  was  nurtured,  no  fmall 
portion  of  military  addrefs  and  ex- 
perience. He  had  of  late  extended 
his  rapacity  and  oppreflion  to  the 
Europeans,  extorted  money  from 
the  merchants,  and  without  regard 
to  the  laws  and  cuftoms  of  nations, 
or  to  the  interefts  of  a. country  form- 
ed by  nature  for  commerce,  treated 
the  confuls  with  fuch  contumely,  if 
not  violence,  that  the  Chriftian  refi- 
dents  at  Conftantinople  found  them- 
felves  under  a  necefftty  of  applying, 
on  the  part  of  their  refpecxive  na- 
tions, to  that  government  for  redrefs 
and  future  protection.-  The  Porte 
have,  however,  fince,  endeavoured 
to  throw  all  the  fault  of  thefe  trans- 
actions upon  the  Ruffian  coriful  at 

AleX- 


Digitized 


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HISTORY   OF    EUROPE. 


[«53 


Alexandria,  who,  they  aflert,  had 
"been  the  advifer ;  and  inftigator  of 
Murat  Bey,  in  all  the  oppreflion 
and  iirjury  offered  to  the  Chriftians 
of  the  weftern  nations  of  Europe. 
Nor  do  they  flop  here,  but  infift, 
that  all  the  troubles  of  Egypt  had 
originated  in  the  fame  quarter,  and 
that  the  fore-mentioned  conful  had 
been  the  rfgent  in  firft  exciting  the 
Beys  to  rebellion,  and  then  kept  up 
the  flame,  by  the  'conftant  corre- 
spondence between  his  court  and 
them,  of  which  he  was  the'  me- 
dium. -• 

The  hope  of  obtaining  redrefs  at 
Conftantinople  feemed  fraall  indeed, 
when  it  was  recollected  that  that 
government  had  neither  influence  or 
authority  left  in  the  country  where 
the  grievance  fuhfifted.  The  com- 
plaint ferved,  however,  perhaps,  to 
rivet  the  attention  of  the  Porte  more 
clofely  to  the  fubjejft  of  Egypt  ;  for 
it  feems  to  have  been  almoft  imme- 
diately after  that  Haflan  Bey,  the 
Captain  Pacha,  or  Grand  Admiral, 
laid  the  great  dcfign  of  recovering 
that  rich  kingdom.  His  fcheme, 
which  was  worthy  of  the  founder, 
was  not  confined  merely  to  the  im- 
mediate reduction  of  that  country  5 
it  extended  to  its  future  eftablifh- 
ment  ;  to  the  annihilation  of  the 
Mamuluck  race,  (if  fuch  it  might 
be  called)  by  the  total  extinction  of 
the  order  of  the  Beys,  and  by  adopt- 
ing thofe  means  which  would  pre- 
vent the  poffibility  of  its  revival ; 
and  when  this  eflential  bufinefs  was 
performed,  he  intended  to  divide 
the  country  into  five  diftind  govern- 
ments, under  the  immediate  autho- 
rity of  the  Porte,  and  all  the  officers 
of  its  own  '  appointment.  Thus 
would  he  have  provided  immenfe 
refources,  not   only   of  provi/ions 


bat  of  money,  for  the  fupportof  the " 
future  war.  ] 

This  bufinefs  was  conducted  witk 
fuch  fecrecy  and  addrefs,  that  the 
fmalleft  fufpicion  was  not  entertain- 
ed of  the  defign,  until  it  was  re- 
vealed in  the  execution .  Two  fleets 
were  equipped  as  ufualfor  the  Archi- 
pelago and  the  Black  Sea;  the 
Captain  x  Pacha  commanded  the 
former.  '  A  train  of  artillery,  wi$h 
all  the  (lores  and  provifions  necefTa- 
ry  for  an  army,  were  already  ©a 
board  the  fhips,  and  had  been  em- 
barked with  fuch  dexterity,  as  to  be 
totally  unknown  at  Conftantinople. 
In  the  fame  manner  he  drew  twenty 
thoufand  troops  on  board,  without 
obfervation  or  notice,  part  at  the  > 
Dardanelles,  part  at  Meteline,  and 
part  at  Scio. 

The  Grand  Admiral  then  pro- 
ceeded directly^  for  the  Nile,  and 
landed  his  forces  at  Rofetta,  whither 
an  army  haftily  collected  wa*  fent 
by  the  ufurper  to  attack  him;  but 
the  enemy  was  totally  routed,  di£- 
perfed,  and  a  great  carnage  made  of 
them.  The  vi&or,  purfuing  his 
blow*  advanced  towards  Grand  Cai- 
ro, where  Murat  Bey,  with  his  af- 
fociate  Ibrahim,  at  the  head  of  a 
great  army,  corapofed  of  all  the 
braveft  Mamalucks,  and  the  beft 
troops  of  Egypt,  were  waiting  to 
receive  him.  The  enemy  were  fo 
vaftly  fuperior  in  number,  befides 
poiIefling  fome  excellent  cavalry, 
and  fo  confident  in  therr  own  cou- 
rage, that  they  defpifed  the  Turks, 
whom  they  considered  as  a  deftined 
prey.     , 

The  battle  took  place  in  the  ap- 
proaches to  that  great  city,  on  the 
fide  of  the  fuburb  of  Boulah.  The' 
Captain  Pacha,  who  never  feemed 
fo  much  in  his  own  element  as  in  a 

field 


)Q£?l 


ig4l         ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786. 


field  of  battle,  led  the  way  to  vic- 
tory. At  feventy  years  of  age  that 
ilhiRrious  veteran  threw  himfelf  into 
the  front  of  the  battle,  and  with  ail 
the  ardour  of  youth  milled  fahre  in 
hand  amid  ft  the  thickeft  ranks  of  the 
enemy.  .  His  officers  and  troops, 
tired  by  the  example,  fell  on  with 
fuch  fqry,  that  nothing  could  with- 
stand their  impetuofity.  To  what- 
ever fide  the  general  directed  his 
courfe,  rout  and  difmay.  were  im- 
mediately fpread  around.  No  vic- 
tory coui^l  be  more  complete.  A 
prodigious  daughter  was  made,  the 
fugitives  totally  difperfed,  and  every 
thing  belonging  to  the  enemy's 
camp  became  a  fpoil.  Grand  Cairo 
became  the  immediate  prize  of  vic- 
tory 5  and  the  enemy  had  been  fo 
confident  of  fuccefs,  that  confiderable 
treafures  were  obtained. 

Murat  and  Ibrahim  Bey  had  the 
fortune/ through  the  excellency  of 
their  Arabian  horfes,  to  efcape  to 
the  Upper  Egypt,  after  a  long  and 
fevere  chace,  in  which   they  had 
more  than  once  been  in  the  utmoft 
danger,  and  obliged  to  Ihift  their 
courfe  from  -one  fide  to  the  other 
of  the  river.    The  iurviving  Ara- 
bians who  adhered  to   them    had 
probably  a  principal  mare  in  this 
trrn^W  fnrtnnft.     Their  efcape,   bow- 
ptain  Pacha's 
:oraplete,  his 
new  govern- 
ied  into  exe- 
3eys  again  re- 
ee,  that  they 
port  a   long, 
war. 

:n  tranfport 
;citedat,Con- 
1  long  and 
;radation  and 
>e  eafily  de- 
rophies  were 


fuch  new  things  that  the  people 
could  fcarcely  believe  their  eyes, 
and  were  nearly  be  fide  themfelves 
when  they  did}  even  the  Porte 
could  not  conceal  its  triumph,  and 
feeraed  to  recover  fome  part  of  its 
antient  countenance.  The  appre- 
henfion  and  difmay  which  had  long 
been  prevalent  feemed  to  wear  off, 
and  an  appearance  of  firmnefs  and 
dignity  to  take  place.  Nor  was  the 
effect  lefs  upon  its  dangerous  rivals,  , 
who  were  observed  to  fall  off  confi- 
derably  from  thathaughty  tone  and 
authoritative  language,  which  had 
been  every  day*  growing  more  fa- 
miliar ;  and  there  feemed  to  be 
fome  inftanti  recolle&ion,.  that  the 
maimer  of  dictating  to  a  vaflai,  and 
of*conyerfing  with  an  equal,  was  in 
fome  refpe&s  different.  Indeed  this 
alteration  in  language  and  manner 
was  fo  obfervabfe,  that  it  was  po- 
pularly received  as  an  evidence  that 
all  differences  and  jealoufies  had 
been  done  away,  and  that  concord 
and  harmony  were  now  to  take 
place. 

In  all  the  turmoils  and  dangers  of 
their  fituation,  the  Porte  did  not  re- 
lax in  the  defign  of  encouraging 
arts,  fciences  and  learning,  among 
the^people,  and  of  opening  a  new 
day  of  knowledge  to  the  Ottoman 
nation.  Of  this  difpofition  a  Unk- 
ing inftance  was  given,  in  their  go-  : 
ing  to  the  pains  and  expence  of 
procuring  proper  perfons  to  under- 
take the  great  and  very  difficult  tafk, 
of  tranflatingthe  voluminous  French 
Encyclopediae  into  the  Turkifji  lan- 
guage. And  though  the  mufti  and 
clergy  made  a  violent  opposition  to 
this  meafure,  as  a  kind  of  facirilege 
with  refpeel:  to  their  prophet  and 
religion,  yet  the  court  feemed  fo 
determined  in  its  defign,  as  to  em- 
ploy agents  both  in  France  and 
.       Italy, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY  OF    EUROPE, 


Uss 


Raly,  who  were  to  Hand  at  do  price 
in  purchafing  the  old  plates  of  that 
work,  in  order  to  illuftrate  the 
tranflatiori  with  copies  of  the  origi- 
nal defigns. 

The  emperor  is  fo  deeply  engaged, 
or  takes  fo  great  a  -  concern  in  all 
the  affairs  of  Ruflia  and  the  Porte, 
that  any  view  of  their  political  fitu- 
ationin  which  he  was  not  included 
would  :feem  extremely  defective. 
His  conduct  in  the  prefent  year 
feemed,  however,  to  be  fo  entirely 
regulated  by  that  of  the  former,  as 
to  afford  few  marks  of  drftinction, 
and  to  leave  but  little  room  for  par- 
ticular, obfervation.  The  ldofe  tin- 
f^ecinc  claims  about  limits,  and  a 
hew  demarcation  of-  them,  inter- 
mixed with  continually  varying -de- 
mands of  the  furrender  of  Belgrade, 
and  of  different  parts  or  the' whole  of 
the  kingdom  qf  Servia,  and  of 
Turkifli  Croatia  and  Bofnia,  kept 
the  ground  open  for  conftant  alter- 
cation and  threat,  and  could  not 
fail,  when  the  occafion  offered,  to 
afford  a  colour  for  proceeding  to 
any  fudden  extremity  that  feemed  to 
promife  advantage.  It  was  obferv- 
able,  through  this  courfe  of  vexa- 
tious brangling,  that  the  voice  of 
the  court  of  Vienna  was  alternately 
raifed  of  lowered,  in  direct  unilbn 
with  that  of  the  court  of  Peterf- 
burgh.  It  b,ad  been  fuppofed  by  . 
many,,  whcf  did  not  confider  the  lit- 
tle etfecl  which  fuch  circumftances 
produce  upon  ambition,  that  the 
extraordinary  perfonal  attentions 
which  the  Turkifli  commanders  and 
governors  paid  to  the  emperor,  on 
his  military  tour  this  year  along  the 
frontiers,  had  greatly  fdftened,  if 
not  entirely  changed  his  difpofition 
with  refpecl:  to  the  Ottomans.  The 
Turks,  indeed,  wifhed,  endeavour- 
ed^ and. would  have  done  any  thing 


that  was  not  in  a  great  degree  ru*: 
inons  to  themfelves,  to  prevent  his 
becoming  a  declared  enemy  5  as  it 
was  that  apprehenfion  which  tied  up 
their  hands  with  refpect  to  Ruiha,  or 
at  leaft  that  rendered  her  fo  terrible  * 
to  them.  But  the  means  of  attain- 
ing that  favourite  poi*t  were  not 
(unfortunately  to  them)  within  their 
reach.  Formidable  armies,  equal 
refources,  and  a  profperous  ftate  of 
;  public  affairs,  were  not  to  be  gained 
by  a  wUh.  r 

The  emperor's  attention  was  lite- 
wile,  as  ufual,  ^engaged  by  a  mui- 
tiplicity  of  internal  affairs.  The 
completion;  alteration,  amendment, 
or  retraction  of  his  numberlefs  pro- 
jects, fchemes  of  reform,  inftitutions, 
regulations,  and  eftablifhments,  pre- 
fented  fo  vaft  and  fo  complex  a  mafs 
of  matter,  that  its  adjuftrnent,  and 
the  endeavour  to  reconcile  the  hete- 
rogeneous- and  eternally  clafhing 
parts,  feemed  to  go  beyond  the 
comprehenfion  of  any  fingle  mind. 
Yet  the  fertility  of  invention  and 
genius  that  produced  thefe,  inffead 
of  being  exhaufted,  feemed  to  be- 
come more  prolific,  and  was  conti- 
nually increafing  the  magnitude  of . 
the  mafs,  and  of  courfe  adding  to 
the  number  and  greatnefs  of  the 
difficulties.  The  articles  of  eccler 
fiaftical  reform  and  commercial  re- 
gulation, branched  out  into  the 
numberlefs  ramifications  that  they 
were,  leemed  either  of  them  fe- 
parately  to  require  the  labour  of 
an  age,  along  with  all  the  experi- 
ence to  be  acquired  in  that  time, 
for  their  completion  and  final  efla- 
blilhment. 

A  greater  and  more  difficult  tafk 
even  than  thefe  was,  however,  in 
hand.  This  was  no  lefs  than  the 
abrogation  of  the  old  laws,  and  the 
eftablifhment  of  an  entire  new  code* 
Legitimation 


Digitized 


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156]       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


Legislation  is  now  become  an  object , 
of  emulation  and  ambition,  as  much 
as  conqueft  or  victory,  Frederic 
and  Catharine  opened  the  way; 
and  there  could  be  little  doubt  of 
their  examples  establishing  a  fa- 
shion. This  code  was  at  firft  greatly 
Cried  up  for  its  humanity,  from  its 
having  nearly  or  entirely  excluded 
death  from  its  fyftera  of  puniSh- 
ment  j  but  it  was  foon  found  that 
the  commutations  were,  in  many 
instances,  fo  exceedingly,  fevere, 
that  the  moft  cruel  death  would 
have  been,  comparatively,  an  act 
of  humanity  and  mercy.  In  fmaller 
crimes  too,  the  punishments  are 
extremely  fevere,  and  in  many  cafes 
degrading  to  human  nature.  But 
though  a  cold,  auilere,  and  cruel 
principle  feems  to  pervade  the  whole^ 
fyStem,  its  greatest  evil  perhaps  is, 
that  the  modes  of  trial  are  fo  defec- 
tive, and  the  inflictions  fo  arbitrary, 
that  no  innocency  of  life  or  charao 
ter  feems  to  afford  a  fufficient  fecu- 
rity  from  the  opprefEon  of  power, 
or  the  malice  even  of  its  Inferior 
ministers. 

Ecclefiaftical  affairs,  notwith- 
standing this  great  labour,  con- 
tinued Sill  to  occupy  no  fmall  Share 
of  the  emperor's,  attention.  After 
,  the.  numberlefs  reforms  already 
made,  it  was  Still  difcovered  that 
more  was  to  be  done ;  and  new 
edicts  and  regulations  were  nearly 
as  frequent  as  ever.  One  of  thefe 
was  an  order  in  future  for  abridging 
the  divine  fervice,  and  for  the  en- 
tire fuppreffion  of  vocal  performers 
in  choirs;  the  medical  profeffors 
having  difcovered  that  this  meafure 
would  tend  greatly  to  the  health  of 
the  youth -who  were  ufually  em- 
ployed as  choristers,  and  the  poli- 
tical projectors,  that  it  will  afford 
them  much  time  for  application  to 


ufeful  icience.— We  believe  thU 
edict  relates  only  to  convents  and 
the  regular  clergy,  at  leaft  that  it 
does  not  extend  to  cathedrals ;  al- 
though the  wording  of  it  render* 
the  fenfe  iq  that  refpect  doubtful. 

An  edict  was  likewife  iffued« 
commanding  all  rectors  and  parifh 
prieSts  to  make  ufe  of  the  verna- 
cular tongue,  inftead  of  the  Latin 
language,  in  the  administration  of 
the  facraments.  The  chanting  of 
hymns  in  private  houfes  was  alfo 
thought  an  object  of  attention,  and 
accordingly  forbidden,  as  being  in* 
troductory  to  innovations  in  reli- 
gion, and  likewife  a  check  to  in- 
dustry. This  order  is  probably 
levelled  at  fome  of  the  reformed 
congregations.  -Several  proclama- 
tions were  publifhed,  enforcing  a 
former  imperial  decree  for  the  abo- 
lishing of  holidays  3  and  to  give 
them  the  more  certain  effect,  pe- 
cuniary mulcts  were  to  be  levied 
upon  thofe  magistrates  who  neg- 
lected to  exact  a  compliance  with 
them. 

The  prevalent  difpofition  for  the 
reduction  of  the  ,  religious  orders 
feemed  this  year  to  loie  fomewhat 
x>f  its  primary  fpiritj  the  fuppref- 
fion  of  fix  or  feven  chapters,  with 
the  convents  of  the  capuchins,  re- 
collects, and  dominicans,  in  Styria 
and  Carinthia,  arid  of  the  Francii- 
can  friars  at  Vienna,  being  the 
only  inftances  we  knpw  of  j  the 
monaftery  of  the  latter  has  been 
converted  into  a  fchool  for  foldiers 
children.  It  appeared,  by  an  au- 
thenticated lift  publifhed  tfcis  year, 
that  413  monasteries,  and  211 
nunneries,  had  been  fupprefledfrom 
the  year  1782  to  the  prefent ;  and 
that  the  number  of  conventual 
clergy  in  the  Austrian  dominions, 
whicn,  in,  tl&e  year  1779,  amounted 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


HISTORY  OF   EUROPE.        [157 


to  64,^90,  was  reduced  fomething 
more  than  one-third. 

But  the  court  of  Rome  was  def- 
tined  to  receive  a  greater  fliock  to 
its  power  in  Germany  from  another 
quarter/  than  all  perhaps  that  it 
had  yet  fuftained  from  the  emperor. 
The  German  prelacy,  taking  ad- 
vantage of  his  difpofition,  feemed 
determined  pot  to  lofe  the  golden 
•pportunity,  which  they  fo  often 
before  fought  in  vain,  of  calling  in 
the  great  official  powers  lodged  in 
his  hands,  to  act  in  concurrence 
with  their  own,  in  emancipating 
themfelves  entirely  from  the  Italian 
ypke  in  the  adminiftration  of  eccle- 
fiaftical affairs.  The  right  aflumed 
by  the  pope  of  interference  in  their 
metropolitan  government  had  near- 
ly at  all  times,  as  well  long  before, 
^s  at  and  fince  the  period  of  the 
reformation,  been  cohfidered,  and 
even  fometimes  ftotftly  refitted  by 
the  German  biftiops,  not  only  as  an 
intolerable  grievance,  but  as  a  grofs 
invafion  of  their  rights,  and  a  badge 
of  fervitude  which  they  very  un- 
willingly wore. 

The  refidence  of  nuncios,  who 
were  the  p'ope's  immediate  inftru- 
ments,  and  the  ecclefiaftical  juris- 
diction which  they  aflumed,  were 
considered  as  fumming  up  in  them- 
felves the  whole  amount  or  the  griev- 
ance, and  as  being  the  Handing 
monuments  of  the  wrong  and  op- 
preflion  complained  of.  This  was 
accordingly  that  part  of  the  evil 
which  it  was  in  contemplation  firft 
to  (hake  off.  The  emperor,  not- 
withftanding  all  his  reforms,  ftill 
permitted  the-  continuance  of  the 
nuncio  at  Vienna,  which  was  pro- 
bably in  reverence  to  the  memory 
and  character  of  the  late  emprefs 
queen,  whofe  attachment  to  the  holy 
Ice  was  univerfally  known ;  but  he 


was  not  permitted  at  all  to  interfere  , 
in  ecclefiaftical  affairs,  and  was  con- 
fidered  and  treated  merely  as  a  po- 
litical agent  or  refident  from  the 
pope.  Another  nuncio  had  been  efta- 
blifhed  at  Cologne,  in  the  time  of 
the  late  elector,  and  his  continu- 
ance had  hitherto  been  permitted 
by  the  prefent,  although  he  aflum- 
ed an  authority,  which  only  ferved 
to  revive  and  increafe  the  diflike  to* 
that  character,  both  with  the  reign- 
ing prince-  and  with  his  ecclefiatti- 
cal  neighbours. 

In  this  ftatc  of  things,  the  bigo- 
try of  the'  fecdlar;  court  of  Munich 
would  go  to  counteract  or  overthrow 

^the  defigns  of  the  ecclefiaftical 
princes,  who  were  the  only  com- 
petent judges  of  their  own  rights 
and  privileges,  and  of  thofe  things 
which  related  to  or  affected  their 
government,  whether  temporal  or 

.  ecclefiaftical,  by  officioufly  inviting  * 
a  nuncio  to  refide  in  that  city,  with 
a  view  to  his  afluming  a  fupreme 
ecclefiaftical  jurisdiction  over  Bava- 
ria and  the  Palatinate,  under  the 
immediate  fanction  of  the  electoral 
power.  Upon  the  firft  intelligence 
of  this  defign,  the  elector  of  Mentz, 
and  the  archbifhop  of  Saltzburg, 
took  the  alarm,  and  immediately  ap- 
plied to  the  emperor  for  his  official 
interpofition  and  protection  in  the' 
prefervation  of  their  rights. 

That  prince  accordingly  publifh- 
ed  throughout  the  empire  a  dbcu- 
ment  under  the  title  of  a  memorial, 
upon  the  fubject;  in  which,  after 
reciting  the  application,  and  the 
motives  to  it,  he  acknowledges  it 
to  »be  his  duty,  as  the  fupreme  pa- 
tron of  the  Germanic  conftitution 
in  church  and  ftate,  to  grant  the 
protection  required ;  and  that  as  he 
had  never  failed  in  any  inftance  in 
giving  the  fulleft  proofs  of  his,  pa- 
triotic 


? 


i€ol      ANNUAL  REG  I  ST  E  R,  1786. 


then  included,  fo,  in  due  gradation,  / 
the  Netherlands  a re  now  to  be  com- 
prifed  in  nine.    By  this  -means  the 
people  in  each  circle  will  not  only 

-be  admitted  into  the  enjoyment  of 
tfuch  portion  of  fplendour  and  hap- 
pinefs  as  may  be  fuppofed  incident 

t  to  a  diftinct  government,  but  they 
trill  likewife  (as  it  is  fondly  con- 
ceived) by  degrees  lofe  all  vexa- 
tious recollection  of  their  former 
"governments    and    condition ;    for 

>  it  cannot  be  forgotten,  how  great 
are  the  effects  of  terms,  as  dif- 
tinguimed  from  ideas,  both  in  fa- 
cilitating the  government  of  man- 
kind, and  in  rendering  them  intrac- 
tible  to  it.  The  Auftrian  Lom- 
bardy  is  to  undergo  a  fimilar  ar- 
rangement, and  to  be  tortured  in- 
to eight  divisions  ;  which  will  'un- 
doubtedly ferve  to  increale  the  local 
felf-importance  of  the  people,  how- 
ever deficient  it  may  prove  in  ex- 
tending their  improvements,  or  in 
promoting  their  profperity. 

The,  fpirit  of  innovation  con- 
tinues ftill  to  lhew  itfelf  in  Hun- 
gary in  fmall  matters  as  well  as  in 
great,  of  which  a  frefh  inftance  was 

,  given  in  removing  the  courts  of 
Jtiftice,  and  the  feat  of  government, 
from  Prelburgh  back  to  Buda,  the 
antient  capitar  of  that  ^kingdom, 
from  which  they  had  been  removed 
about  two  centuries  ago,  upon  that 
city's  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
Turks.  It  is,  however*  to  be  ob- 
ferved,  tjbat  Buda  feemed  defigned 
by  nature  for  being  the  capital  of 
tnat  country  5  that  its  fituation  is 
much  more"  centrical  than  that  of 
Prelburgh  -,  and  that  the  motive  for 
a  predilection  for  the  latter  could 
only  proceed  from  its  vicinity  to 
Vienna,  by  which  it  was  immedi- 
ately under  the  eye  of  the  court. 
It  was  not  to  be  expected  that 


the  fame  keen  eye,  from'  which  no 
other  object  of  regulation  could 
efcape,  would  fufFer  the  numerous 
body  of  proftitute9  in  Vienna  to  pals 
unnoticed.  They  are  how-  com" 
pelled  to  take  up  their  refidence  in 
four  large  buildings  aligned  for 
the  purpofe,  $nd  are  totally  dis- 
qualified from  appearing  in  the 
ftreets  in  their  profeffional  charac- 
ter. A  fuppreffed  convent  is  faid 
to  be  one  of  the  buildings  afligned 
to  this  order  of  nuns. —  Such  is  the 
mixture  of  burlefque  which  accom- 
panies this  activity  of  regulation, 
both  civil  and  religious  ! 

But  notwithstanding  the  multi- 
plicity of  domeflic  bulinefs  in  which 
the  emperor  feemed  entirely  im- 
merfed,  in  did  not  prevent  his  pay- 
ing the  mod  watchful  attention  to 
the  affairs  and  diffractions  of  Hol- 
land. It  was  not,  however,  under- 
ftood,  that  he  furveyed  the  condi- 
tion of  that  republic  by  any  means 
with  a  friendly  eye.  On  the  con- 
trary, difputes  were  raifed  relative 
to  the  navigation  of  the  Swin,  and 
every  petty  occafion  feized  which 
could  afford  room  for  difpute.  At 
the  fame  time,  a  public  requefi 
made  by  the  ftates  general  to  the 
government  of  the  Auftrian  Nether- 
lands/ for  liberty  to  export  Dutch 
herrings  to  Offend,  was  rejected  by 
the  emperor  himfelf,  in  terms  the 
moft  peremptory  as  well  as  lacoriic 
that  could  be  devifed. 

In  defiance  of  the  fo  lately  con-  • 
eluded  treaty  of  peace,  and  appa- 
rently effriendfhip,  a  new  and  fe- 
rious  claim  was  likewife  prepared, 
and  ready  to  be  enforced  when  the 
proper  feafon  arrived.  This  was  a 
renewal  of  the  claim  upon  the  Eaft 
India  trade,  which  a  Mr.  Rancour 
was  employed  to  juftifyih  a  trea- 
tife  publifhed  for  the  purpofe. 
4  Thk 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


JfiSTORV    OF    EtfRO?,E.         [iSi 


•jThis'  writer  ^yas1  riot  content  to  reft 
the  juftioe  of  th£  claim  upon  the' 
natural  and  inalienable  rights  of  the 
Auftrian  Netherlands  4a  a  mare  in 
that  commerce,  but  he  undertook 
tp  prove  that  thofe  rights  had  been, 
confirmed  and  eftablifhed,  riot' only 


by  the  treaty  of  Murifter,  and  all 
former  ones,  but  by  the  late  treaty 
of  1785,  one  of  whofe  principal 
objects*  oh  one  fjde,  had  been  en- 
tirely to  do  away  that  claim,  and 
thereby  finally  clofe  the  diipute. 


-      C  H  A  V.    r*. 

Death  of  Xe,  king  of  Pruffta.  Some  account  of  that  great  frirtce.  hoffitals  for  cRf» 
treffed  old  age  of  all  nations  endowed  by  him  in  Berlin.  Temper  and  difpofitioio 
fofiened  and  rendered  more  kindly  by  age.  Leaves  hisfuceejjbr  the  beft  fecurities 
to  a  kingdom,  in  a  full  treafury,  excellent  armies,  and  fubjecls  ftrongly  attached 
to  the  government.  Popular,  meafures  purfued  by  the  prefent  king,  kejlores  tbg  . 
German  language  to  its  proper  place -,  in  the  room  of  the  Trench »,  which  bad  been 
ufedat  court %  and  in  all  public  tranfaciions,  during  the  late  reign.  Patronizes  the 
native  literature,  as  well  as  language.  Prohibits  irreligious  publications*  For* 
Bids  duelling,  and  erecls  a  court  of  honour.  Perfection  of  the  free -mafons  by  the  , 
Elector  Palatine,  occasions  M.  de  horn  indignantly  to  return  his  diplomas,  and  ta 
abandon  the  academy  of  fciences  at  Munich.  Northern  kingdoms.  Dearth,  and 
its  confeoiuent  diftrejfes,  continued  in  both*  Diet  held  at  Stockholm,  after  an  inter* 
mif/ton  of  eight  years*  King  of  Sweden  abolifbes  the  torture.  Danijb  Eoji-hdid 
company  refign  their  fiock  into  the  bands  of  the  king,  Junclion  Between  the  Baltid 
and  ocean,  by  a  navigable  canal  drawn  acrofs  the  peninfula  of  Jutland.  Jtrance* 
Commercial  treaty  with  England.  Attention  to  her  marine  and  commerce.  Stupen- 
dous works  carrying  on  at  Cberbftrgb,  in  order  to  render  it  a  great  naval  arfenaU 
King  vifits  that  place.  Religious  prejudices  happily  wearing  away.  Foreigners 
of  all  religious  perfuafions  and  countries  invited  to  fettle  in  the  Kingdom,  with  the. 
privileges  of  purchafing  lands,  and  of  enjoying  the  rights  of  citizens.  Colony  of 
quakers  and  baptifts  arrive  from  North  America,  to  fettle  at  Dunkirk.  Great  tft* 
couragement  to  foreign  merchants,  artifts,  and  manufacturers  to  fettle  in  France*  ' 
Meafures  already  adopted  in  favour  of  the  native  proteftants,  to  he  confidered  as  a 
happy  opening  towards  their  refloration  in  ct  more  perfecl  degree  to  the  rights  of 
citizens.  EdicJ  in  favour  of  thepeafantry.  EdiB  in  favour  of  tbefuhjecJ  with 
refpeti  to  perjbnal  arrejts,  and  the  feixure  or  detainer  of  hh  property,  under  the 
local  authority  of  cities  and  corporations  in  which  he  is  not  a  re/ident  *  Singular 
tnftance  of  a  Free  Black  of  tbe  tfle  of  France,  being  elecJed  a  correfpondmg  menu. 
ber  of  the  royal  academy  of  fciences. 

THERE  was  no  event  that'  ofPruflia.    If  he  was  not  the  found- 
marked  the  year  of  which  er  of  an  empire,  he  accomplilhect 
we  treat  in  fuch  ftnlpng  and  inde-  a  more  arduous  talk  than  even  that, 
lible  colours,  as  the  death  of  the  under  its  ufually  concurrent  circunv* 
great  Frederick,  the'illuftrious  king  fiances,  has  generally  proved :  for, 
Vox.  XXVIII.  LAI  fiw 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


t6*]      ANNUAL    REGtST£&,    17U. 


fwrounded  as  he  was  by  great 
and  jealous  potentates,  pofTerfed  of 
imrnenie  (landing  armies,  and  at  a 
time  when  difcipline  and  the.  art  of 
war  were  fuppofed  to  have  been  , 
already  carried  to  their  ultimate 
point  of  perfection,  he,  merely  by 
the  powers  of  Superior  genius  and 
Ability,  raifed  a  fcattered,  ill-forted, 
disjointed  dominion,  into  the  firft 
rank  of  power,  glory,  and  renown 
and  (he  newly- founded  kingdom  of 
Pruflia  foon  became,  under  his  auf-  x 
pices,  the  terror  or  admiration  of 
mankind.  ^ 

But  though  he  muft*  always  be 
confidered  as  one  of  the  greater! 
captains  and  mailers  of  the  art  of 
war  that  ever  lived,  and  as  having 
carried  military  difcipline  and  field 
evolution  to  a  degree  of  perfection 
before  un thought  of,  and  which  is 
now  the  great  object  of  imitation 
with  all  martial  nations;  his  mind 
\vas_too  comprehenfive,  and  his  ge- 
nius too  vail,  to  be  confined  to  tac- 
tics, or  the  bufinefs  of  the  field  5 
and  he  ihone  forth  at  the  fame  time 
with  no  lefs  ambition  of  fame,  in 
all  the  different  characters  of  legis- 
lator, hi  dorian,  poet,  and  philoib- 
pher. 

In  the  courfe  of  his  long  and  ex- 
ceedingly hard  fought  wars,  con- 
tending againfl  a  combination  of 
power  whicji  has  feldom  been  equal- 
led, and  with  lome  of  the  firft  ge- 
nerals and  greatefl  nations,  he  fuf- 
tajncd  with  unfailing  conftancy, 
and  an  unconquerable  fortitude,  die. 
moll  difmal  reverfes  of  fortune  that 
perhaps  have  ever  been  experienced 
and  recovered  by  any  commander  5 
he.  having  been  repeatedly  and,  Sud- 
denly, deprefled  from  the  highefi  . 
pinnacle  of  fuccefs  to  the  lowclt  ex- 
treme of  diilrefs  and  adverfity ;  in- 


fomuch,  that  even  the  continuance 
of  his  exiflence  as  a  fovereign  was 
more  than  once  a  queftion  fufficient- 
ly  dubious.  Through  a  noble  per- 
feverance,  and  the  flrenuous  exer- 
tions of  his  admirable  genius,  he 
flill  furmounted  his  difficulties  and 
dangers  :  fortune  again  fmiied,  and 
feemed  only  to  plunge,  him  in  ad- 
verfity,  tliat  he  might  rife  with 
brighter  glory. 

In  efli mates  of  real  character  we 
mufi  neceffarily  take  mankind  fuch 
as  they  are,  compounds  of  good 
and  of  evil,  of  great  and  of  little  ; 
we  mould  in  vain  look  for  resem- 
blances to  thofe  imaginary  heroes, 
who  are  reprefented  as  fo  bedizened 
with  virtues,  that  nothing  like  na- 
ture or  truth  can  be  perceived  about 
them  \  and  the  picture  exhibits,  as 
the  poet  happily  obferves,  "  thofe 
faultlefs  monllers  which  the  world 
ne'er  faw."  On  the  contrary,  the 
(hades  in  Frederick's  character  were 
as  flrongly  marked  as  the  bright 
parts,  and  we  mall  perhaps  find 
that  his  great  qualities  had  even 
more  than  .their  due  proportion  of 
alloy.  There  certainly  have  been 
great  captains  and  conquerors,  who 
afforded  fuperior  ihflances  of  a  noble 
and  generous  nature  to  any  that  he 
had  the  fortune  of  exhibiting ;  who 
were  happily  better  calculated  to 
excite  the.  affection  as  well  as  the 
admiration  of  maukind  ;  f  and  who 
were  free  from  many  of  the  defects 
of. his  character.?— To  Say  that  his 
ambition  was  boundlefs,  would  be 
no  more,  than  faying,  that  he  held 
the  vice  common  to  great  Situa- 
tions^ but  his„ambition  *aftbrtcd  too 
much  with  rapacity  to  captivate  the 
imagination,  as  it  otnerwife  might 
have  done ;  and  he  looked  more  to 
his  intereil  than  his  fame  in  the 

means 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ll  I  S  T  6  R  Y    6  F    EURO  P  E.         [163 

ftieans  which  he  fometimes  ufed  for  extraordinary  expqnces  to  which  he 
the  attainment  of  his  objects.  A  went  in  peopling  and  cultivating 
ftrict  ceconomy,  indeed,  was  indif-  the  ftertteor  defartwaftes-whichex- 
jpenfably  heceflaryt  to  the  peculiarity  tended  over  fuch  vaft  traces  of  his 
of  his  fituati'on,  and  to  the  fupport  dominions;  were  only  limited  by  the 
of  fuch  prodigious  armies,  with  extent  and  number  of  the  pbjects_to 
rneans  which  would  have  been  to-  ~ 

tally  inadequate  in  any  other  hands  j 
jbut  lie  puflied  this  virtue  vtoo  far 

.towards  the  oppofite  extreme,  fo  as 
to  carry  too  much  the  appearance  of 
a  degrading  parfimony ;  anditmuft 
be  acknowledged,  by  thofe  who  pay 
the  greateft  refpect  to  his  eminent 

•qualities,  that  he  Was  more  food  of 
gold  than  corresponds  with  the  efta- 
blifhea  ideas  6£  a  great  man. 

Frederick  could  brook  no  opposi- 
tion to  his  will  either  in  word  or  in 
action  $  was  to  the  laft  degree  im- 
placable in  His  refentmentsj  and 
inheriting  from  nature,  as  well  as 

"deriving  from  education  and  exan> 

pie,  a  difpofition  extremely  haflh, 
defpotic,  and  occafionally  cruel,  it 
could  not  be  expected  that  it  would 

have  been  leffened  by  the  horrors 

and  carnage  of  war,  any  more  than 

by  the  continual  perfonal  enforces 

hient  in  peace  of  that  auftere  mi- 
litary difcipline  eftablilhed  by  him- 

felf,  which  was  as  unequalled  in  its 

rigour  and  Severity,  as  in  all  other 

refpects$  and  by  which,  man  being 

reduced  to  the  Slate  of  a  living  ma- 
chine, was  considered  and  treated 

inerely  as  fuch. 

But  the  latter  part  of  his  life 

feemed  calculated  to  make  amends 

to  mankind  for  all  the  ravage  and 

defolation  Which  his  ambition  had 

occasioned  in  the  foregoing;  to  give 

a  new  colour  to.  his  character;  and 
;to  caft  a  foftening  Shade  of  benig- 
'  nity  over  all  its  parts.    He  became 

the  father  as  well  as  the  legislator 

of  his  fubjectsj  and  to  them^.the 

milk  of  human  nature  feemed  over- 
sowing in  his  comp©fitiojfr.     The 


which  they  were  applicable.     For 
though  his  attention  was  in  a  con- 
siderable degree  directed  to  aimolt 
every  branch  of  improvement,  yet 
agriculture  was  his  great  and  fa- 
vourite object ;  and  he  accordingly 
adopted  every  meafure  that  could 
render   the   huibaridman  ealy  and 
comfortrble  in    his   Circumstances', 
anil  iecure  in  the  poSfefiion  of  his 
property.    And  if  he  deferves-praife 
for  having  attained  thefe  ends  in 
the  latter  and  more  fererie  parts  o£ 
his  career,  it  muft  furely  be  confi- 
dered  as  the  greater  glory' of  his 
reign/  and  one  peculiar  to  himfelf, 
that  when  moil  unfortunate  in  war, 
and  when  moSt  oppreiled  by  an  un- 
equalled   combination     of    hoftile 
power,  yet,  that  in  all  the  lingular 
dillreSTes  to  which  he  was  at  thofe 
feafons  reduced,  his  provident  fore- 
light  had  provided  fuch  ample  re- 
fources  fof  every  evil  that  could  en- 
fue,   that  he  never  *  burthened  his 
fubjects  with  the  addition  of  a  Single 
tax,  or  the  demand  of  a  benevo- 
lence -,  fo  that  his  dominions,  if  it- 
had  not  been  for  the  cruel  depre* 
dations  of  his  numerous  enemies, 
would  have  borne  the  fame  appear- 
ance  as  m  a  feafon  of  profound 
peace. 

And  when,  latterly^  the  dreadful 
inundations  and  other  calamitous 
effects  of  unufual  and  untoward  fea- 
fons, had  fpread  ruin  and  defolatiot* 
as  well  through  his  dominions,  as 
all  the  regions  of  the  north  and 
center  of  Europe,  the  fums  of  mo- 
ney which  he  bellowed,,  not  merely 
to  relieve  but  to  reftore  the  num* 
berlefs  fuffferers,  and,*  as  it  were, 

£L\.Z  SCJm- 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


i64]      AtfNtJAL    R^g/S^ER,.    1786. 


completely  to  remedy  the  evils  of 
nature,  were  fo  imraenfe,  as  nearly 
to  exceed  credibility.;  and  perhaps 
exceeded  any  former  known  inftance 
of  royal  benevolence.  It  feemed 
indeed  fcarcely  credible,  that  the 
lame  hand  which  had  fo  long  been 
charged  with  a  contracted  parfimo- 
ny,  fhould  now,  when  the  great  oc- 
casion offered,  exceed  all  others  in 
munificence  and  bounty.  It  muft 
Hkewife  ever  be  received  as  a  Hand- 
ing monument  both  of  attention  to 
the  good  of  his  fubje&s,  and  of  the 
excellent  principles  of  his  admini- 
ftration,  that  notwithftanding  the 
length  and  peculiar  circumftances 
of  his  wars,  the  population  of  his 
dominions  had  been  more  than 
doubled  in  his  reign,  and  that  a  far 
greater  proportional  increafe  took 
place  in  their  foreign  trade,  and  in 
the  number  and  tonnage  of  their 
Shipping.  > 

As  we  never  had  before,  and  as 
our  age  will  hardly  again  afford  us 
an  opportunity  of  defcribing  another 
fuch  man,  we  are  the  lefs  apprehen* 
five  of  having  dwelt  too  long  upon 

rted  the 
Augufl, 
his  agej 
ve  confi- 
p-eatoefs, 
f  its  ac- 
h  it  had 
tailed  ex- 
>y  which, 
lore  thaxr- 
:n  conti- 

ne  time 
rent  was 
the  joint 
pfy,  and 
iich  had 
im  inca- 
he  dif* 


played  in  the  intervals  his  priftine 
yigour  of  mind,  and  all  his  ufual 
ferenity  and  chearfulnefs  in  conver- 
fationj  never  uttering  the  leaft  com- 
plaint, nor  fhewing  the  fmalleft  de- 
gree either  of  regret  or  impatience 
at  his  condition ;  and  on  the  i  jth, 
only  two  days  before  his  death*  he 
fent  for  his  cabinet  fecretaries  at 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
tranfa&ed  bufinefs  for  three  hours 
with  them ;  but  in  the  evening  at 
that  day  the  fomnolency  returned, 
and  he  continued  nearly  in  a  ftatc  of 
infenfibility  until  his  death. 

It  was  a  curious  if  not  lingular 
circumftance,  that  as  the  king  be- 
gan himfelf  perfpnally  to  feel  the 
infirmities  and  incommodities  of 
age,  it  touched  his  fympathy  & 
ftrongly  for  the  diftrerTes  of  the  un- 
provided in  that  calamitous  condi- 
tion, that  he  immediately  founded 
twohofpitals  in  Berlin  lor  the  re- 
ception of  helplefs  old  age,  \p  all 
cafes  whatever,  without  regard  to 
nation,  religion,  or  fex*. 

There  were  numerous  other  in* 
fiances  of  his  temper  and  difpofi  tion 
being  greatly  foftened  by  age  j  a 
circumftance  very  unufual  in  man- 
kind, and  almoft  without  example 
in  conquerors;  who  fo  generally- 
become  more  rigid,  harfh,  and  og- 
prqlfive,  .and  too  frequently  dege- 
nerate into  abfolute  cruelty  at  that 
feafon  of  life. 

The  attention  of  all  Europe  had 
been  long  drawn  to  the  contem- 
plation of  this  expected  event, 
and  of  its  probable  or  poffible  con* 
lequences.  Many  apprehended  that 
it  would  prove  the  fignal  for  injt- 
mediate  war,  and  perhaps  lead  to 
great  political  revolution.  The. 
character  of  his  nephew  and  fuc- 
ceflbr,  the  prefent  king,  w,as  not 
yet  much  developed  y  and  it  wa« 
•afily  feca  that  *    new    kingdoVn 

whick 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF   EUROPE. 


[165 


^Jt\i?b  Jjjiajl  rifen  fuddenly  to  fuch 
unexampled  .power  and  greatness  as 
feryed  to  excite  thejealoufy  or  ap- 
p[rehenfion  of  all  its  neighbours, 
xne'reJy  through  the  abilities  q£  one 
ipJap,  would  require  abilities  not 
rrmch  inferior  to  withftarid  the 
i^iocks,  to  wjhich  it  might  be  liable 

.  upon  the  Iois  of  its  tutelary  guar- 
dian and  genius.  The  danger  ap- 
peased tipte  greater,  as  its  neareft 
«m$  moft  potent  neighbour,  betides 
other  great  political  differences,  and 
his  finding  Pniffia  almoft  constantly 

'  in  his  way  10  the  profecution  of  his 
ambitious  views,  was  himfelf  the 
greater!:  fufferer  by  ^er  greatnefs ; 
and  was  well  known  to  be  of  a  cha- 
racter not  muc^diipofed  to  forgive 
or  forget  fo  grievous  a  lofs  as  that  of 
t    Silefia. 

The  new  government  was,  how- 
ever, conducted  with  fo  much  regu- 
larity and  fteadinefs,  and  retained 
£q  much  of  its  ancient  appearance 
and  character,  that  no  opening  was 
made,    nor  encouragement  given, 

x  ifpr  any  of  the  apprehended  dangers 
or  evils  to  take  place.  Indeed  the 
late  king  had  bequeathed  the  mod 

*  effectual  fecurities  to  his  fucceffor 
for  the  prefervation  of  his  domi- 
nions, which  hurnan  wifdom  could 
provide  or  devife,  by  leaving  him 
a  full  treafury,  the  finer!  army, 
without  exception,  in  the  world, 
and  a  people  enthufiaftically  attach- 
ed to  his  government  and  memory. 
A  ftriking  inftance  of  the  latter  was 
afforded  in  the  difpofal  of  his  old 
wardrobe,  which  was  fo  meanly  pro- 
vided, that  the  whole,  including  itate 
clothes  and  linen,  was  fold  to  the 
Jews  for  400  nx-dollars  * ;  but  the 
oagernefi  of  the  people  to  poffefs 


any  thing  that  had  once  belonged  to 
their  old  hero'  was  fo  great,  that 
the  Jews  made  more  than  as  many 
thoufands  of  their  purchafej  and 
the  fmalleft  article  of  his  wear  was 
preferved  as  an  invaluable  relick. 

As  novelty  poffeffes  charms  that 
captivate  all  mankind,  fo  innova- 
tions, in  a  certain  degree,  are  per- 
haps adopted  with  propriety  at  the 
acceflion  of  a  new  loverelgn,  efpe- 
cially  after  a  long  reign  5  and  what- 
ever the  wifdom  of  the  preceding 
adminiftration  may  be,,  there  ever 
will  be  particular  inftances  in  which 
they  may  be  neceffary,  and  accord- 
ingly adopted  with  advantage.  Po- 
pularity was  like  wife  the  rnore  ne- 
ceffary in  the  prefent  inftance,  not 
only  from  the  predilection  of  the 
people  for  the  late  reign,  but  that 
the  prefent  fovereign  had  hitherto 
no  opportunity  of  diiclofing  his 
public  diipofition  and  character. 

No  event  or  act  of  the  late 
reign  was  fo  univerfally  unpopular 
throughout  Germany,  as  his  pre- 
dilection for  the  French  language, 
and  the  decided  preference  which 
he  upon  all  occasions  gave  to  the  li- 
terature of  that' nation.  The' nu- 
merous German  literati  in  particu- 
lar could  not  but  be  grievoiifly  af- 
fected by  it,  and  indeed  ever/ true 
patriot,  from  whatever  part  of  that 
wide  empire  he  derived  his  e'xirt- 
ence,  muff  have  felt  it  fen  (My,  as 
an  infult  offered,  and  a  glaring  con- 
tempt fhewn  to  his  language  and 
country.  This  predilection  the  king 
derived  from  his  early  acquaintance, 
and  intercourfe  with  French  poets 
and  philolbphers  of  the  modern 
ftamp,  to  whom  he  was  likewife  in- 
debted for  other  prejudices  and  prin* 


f  The  rix-dollar  is  about  3s.  6d.  Englifli. 
W3 


fiple* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


i66]       ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


ciplcs  null  more  injurious  and  un- 
fortunate 1  particularly  that  indif- 
ference (to  call  it  by  the  fofteft 
name)  with  refpect  to  religion, 
which  ftuck  U  him  through  life, 
and  was  the  great  blemifh  of  his 
character. 

-     Itmuft,  however,  be  remember- 
ed, that  the  German  writers  in  the 
late  king's  earlier  days,  were  of  a 
very  different  caft  and    character 
from  thofe  who  have  (ince  fo  far  ad- 
vanced literature  and  fcience,  have 
done    fo  much    honour    to    their 
country  by  their    genius  and    re- 
fearches,  and  who  by  their  fuccefs- 
f  ul  introduction  of  the  poetic  mules 
have  iifed  the  mod  effectual  means 
for  foftening  and  wearing  down  the 
roughnefs   of  their  native  tongue. 
On  the  contrary,  at  and  for  a  con- 
siderable time  after  his  acceflion, 
laborioufnefs  and  fidelity  were  the 
chief  praiies  that  could  be  bellowed 
on  the  German  writers  -,  their  works 
yerbofe  and  hea- 
yet  applied  with 
»elles  Letti  es  ;  and 
icularly  the   dra- 
r%>us.     Early  pre- 
difficulty  maken 
dvances,  the  dif- 
deavour  generally 
t  had  early  made 
the  affair",  by  cri- 
tmfelf  writing  a- 
ti  ftudies  and  lite- 
ms declared  bim- 
proud  and  too  te- 
ion  ever  to  relin- 
d  neither  obferve 
onderful  change 
which  was  taking 
id  fo  far  was  lie 
>ur  or  encourage-  ' 
rs  who  were  thus 
uage  and  tafte  of 
at  it  is  laid,  he 


would  not  even  read  thfir  prodoc*  . 
tions  if  in  the  vernacular  tongue. 

Nothing  then  could  be  more  po^ 
pular,   or   more  generally  gratify- 
ing, than  the  new  king's  declara- 
tion  in  council,   that  "  Germans 
we   are,  and  Germans  I  mean  we. 
fhall  continue  3 "  at  the  fame  time 
giving  directions  that  their  native 
language  ihould  jefume  its  natural 
rank  and  ftation,  from  which  it  bad 
been  for  near  harf  a  century  ^e^  • 
graded    by  the  ufurping    Frehch ; 
the  latter  only  having  been  during  . 
that  time  fpoken  at  court,  addreffed 
in  letters  to  the  king,  ufed   in  all 
public  offices  and  trahfactions,  and 
even  in  the  academies. '     Of  thefe, 
the  royal  academy  of  fciences  was 
compofed  almoft  entirely  of  French-' 
men;    but  ^he  king  now  Ordered 
three  Germans  to  be  received  in  it, 
and  public  "difcourfes  to  be  occa- 
sion ally*  delivered  in  the  Teutonic. 
To  fhew  his  attention  to  the  native 
literature,    he    fettled  a   handfome 
petition  for  life  upon  Mr.    Ramler, 
the  celebrated  German  lyric  poet ; 
and   received  in  the  molt  favour- 
able  manner    the    congratulatory 
verfes    which    were    addreffed   to 
him  by  profeifor  Gleim,  and  other 
men  of  learning,  who  all   made  it 
a  point  to  write  them  in  the  native    . 
language.     The  late  king  had  like- 
wife  placed   the  collection   of  the 
taxes  and  duties,  particularly  thole 
on  tobacco,    almoft  exclusively    in/ 
the  hands  of  Frenchmen  j  but  they 
were  now  generally,  if  not  univer- 
fally,    replaced   by  Germans,    and 
the    foreigners    humanely   allowed' 
penfions. 

The  new  king  ftrictly  prohibited 
all  publications  tending  to  excite  a 
contempt  or  indifference  for  religi- 
on :  obferving  that  he  had  marked 
with  great  concern  the  progrefs  of 

impiety 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY    OF   EUROPE. 


[167 


hpplety  and  prophanenefe  on  the 
one  hand,  and  of  enthufiafm  on  the 
other,  which  were  making  fuch  ra- 
pid advances  among  the  people  j 
and  which  be  attributed  in  a  great 
degree  to  the  multiplicity  pf  thefe 
publications.  He  declared  that  he 
would  not  have  his  fubje&s  cor- 
rupted either  by  fanatics  or  athcilis ; 
por  madmen  to  enrich  themfelves 
and  the  bookfellers  at  the  expence 
of  Religion;  He  likewife  paffed  a 
fevere  law  again  ft  duelling  in  all 
cafes  whatever  5  and  erected  a  court 
•or  tribunal  of  honour  to  take  cog- 
nizance of  thofe  difputes  or  differ- 
ences which  might  lead  to  that  re- 
fort.  ... 

Upon  the  whole,  every  tiling  that 
has  yet  appeared  ferves  to  indicate 
a  happy  and  pron^erous  reign  to 
that  kitigdam;  and  as  the  mo- 
narchy is  now  thoroughly  formed 
and  eftabliihed,  if  it  mould  not 
prove  lb  fplendid  as  the  foregoing, 
it  will  be  fo  much  the  better  for  the 
people.  - 

So  happy  a  tranquillity  prevails 
in  the  other  parts  of '  Germany j 
that  the  perfecution  of  the  free- 
mafons  by  the  elector  palatine  be- 
came an  object  of  notice.  That 
prince,  who  feems  in  many  re- 
fpects  to  have  departed  ftrangely 
from  that  conduct  and  character 
which  gained  him  fo  much  applaufe 
during  his  refidence  at  Manheim, 
adopted,  towards  the  clofe  of  the 
preceding  year,  a  determination  to 
exterminate  ftee-raaibnry  entirely 
from  his  dominions;  nor  could 
even  the  protection  of  the  mufes 
faye  the  academy  of  fcienccs  at  Mu- 
nich from  this  fpirit  of  barbarous 
perfecution . 

The  celebrated  M.  de  Born,  of 
Vienna,  one  of  the  moll1  dilHn- 
guifhed  literary  characters  in  Ger- 


many, was  a  refident  mem&er  of 
that  academy,  and  had  a  prinefpal 
fliare  in  retrieving  it  from  that  ftate 
of  degradation  in  which  it-  had  fal- 
len, during  that  long  niglit  of  igno- 
rance and  bigotry,  which  fo  peculi- 
arly overfpreads.  Bavaria.  .That 
gentleman  was  a  known  and  avow- 
ed free-mafon ;  arid  the  prefident 
was  objiged  to  write  to  him,  deiir- 
ing  peremptorily  that  he  mould 
within  eight  days  declare,  whether 
he  would  renounce  and  withdraw' 
himfelf  from  the  pernicious  myf-  - 
teries  of  that  fraternity.  To  this 
M.  de  Born  returned  an  immediate 
anfwer,  "  That  fo  far  from  reliri- 
"  quitting  the  principles,  he  mould 
'*'  ever  glory  in  the  name  of  free- _ 
"  mafon  :  a  name  that  mould  mark . 
"  every  man  that  bears  it  with  fu-v. 
"  perior  probity ;  for  its  principled 
"  enjoin,  a  more  vigilant  diiehargp 
"  of  the  duties  we  owe  to  our  Crea'-, 
"  tor,  a  more  ftrict  fidelity  to  the 
"  fovereign,  and  a  more  enlarged^ 
"  and  active  benevolence  to  our 
"  fellow  creatures,  in  lquaring  our 

.  i(  conduct  thereby.'  However,  to 
"  free  myfelf-  at  bnce  from  your 
"  jurifdictim,  I  herewith  return 
"you  all  my  diplomas,  and  dciire 
"  you  may  lirike  out  Any  name  firm 
*'  the  lift  ot  your  academicians. "; 
Thus  has  the  academy  loft  its  prin- 
cipal ornament  and  honour,  and* 
Ba\aria  may  again  enjoy  its  uTual 
darknels  and  pro\erbial  ftupictir  . 

The  two  i;o:thern  kingdoms  !j  i\e 
not  prefented  much  matter  of  poll-  r 
tical  observation  in  the  comic  of  ihe. 
year  of  which  we  treat  The  ta- 
mine  and  other  calamities  which  f  > 
much   a  filiated  the  people  in  bt  th 

v  kingdoms,    weie    rather    incrcaf-d 

than  diminilhed  in. this  yecu  ;  and 

though  every  where  grievous,  were 

in  the   more  remote  or   c*:  tod  <  T 

[t]  4,  proYiucc-a 


Digitized 


^  Google 


i#]       AJJNUAt  REGISTER,  1786. 


provinces  of  either  dreadful  to  con- 
template. Even  in  thole  parts  of 
Denmark,  which  were  the  beft  fitu- 
ated  for  receiving  foreign  aid  and 
furlply,  and  in  the  very  feat  of  go- 
vernmept,  which  afforded  the  bell 
means  for  procuring  it,  the  wants 
juf  the  people  were,  notwithstand- 
ing, fo  extreme,  that  it  was  efti- 
rnated,  that  above  a:  thoufand  arti- 
ficers'  emigrated  from  the  city  of 
Copenhagen  only  in  the  courfe  of 
the  year.  And,  the  emigration  from 
other  parts  of  the  kingdom  was  fo 
great,  that  not  lefs  than  feven  or 
eight  thoufand  of  the  molt  labori- 
ous and  ufeful  part  of  the  people 
applied  to  the  Ruffian  minifter, 
'Within  only  the  firft  three  months 
of  the  year,  for  thofe  encourage* 
xnents  and  means  of  tranfportation 
which  were  allotted  to  thofe  who 
would  proceed  to  people  Cherfon, 
'  and  other  of  the  new  colonies  and 
Settlements  in  thofe  quarters.  If 
fuch  was  {he  condition  in  the  heart 
of  Denmark,  how  inuft  it  have  been 


however  fhe  may  be  jfuppofe<J  to 
confider  abfolute  power,  when  vett- 
ed in  her  own  hands,  fhe  was  little 
fatisfied'with  that  revolution  which 
placed  fo  great  a  mare  of  \l  in  his  j 
and  however  neceifary  it  was  to  con- 
form outwardly  to  an  evil  which 
was  not  apprehended  until  it  was 
too  late  for  a  remedy,  it  was  not  tq 
be  fuppofed  that  fo  unthought  of 
and  eminent  a  difplay  of  dexterity, 
and  dangerous  ambition,  mould  at 
all  leflen  her  watchfulnefs  of  his  fu-» 
ture  conduct,  or  in  any  degree  difr 
pofe  her  to  regard  him  with  the  lefs 
jealous  eve. 

Whether  it  proceeded  from  an 
apprehension  of  any  approaching 
foreign. danger,  from  the  diftreffes 
of  the  people,  or  from  a  complica- 
tion of  thefe  with  other  caules,  is 
uncertain,  but  a  diet  was  this  year 
held  at  Stockholm,  be-  **  ^.o^ 
ing  the  firft  that  hajl  Ma?  V*6' 
taken  place  fince  that  which  con- 
firmed the  late  revolution  in  the 
government  eight  years  before.— 
The  greateft  apparent  cordiality 
prevailed  between  the  king  and 
the  ftates  at  this  meeting.  In  his 
fpeech  to  them  fome  oblique  hints 
were  thrown  ouC  in  treating  of 
the  ftate  of  the  army  and  navy,  of 
the  propriety  and  neceffity  of  being 
in  fuch  a  date  of  preparation  and 
defence,  as  would  afford  fecurity 
againft  any  finifter  events  that  might 
occur,  which  could  only  be  under- 
ftood  as  alluding  to  one  of  His  neigh- 
hours,  the  greateft  harmony  having 
been  already  declared  to  fubfift 
with  Denmark. 

The  ftates 'were  not,  however,  fo 
compliant  as  might  have  been  ex- 
pected; and  it  was  not  a  little 
pleating  to  fee,  that  the  fpirit  of 
liberty  which  fo  much  diftinguiflied 
their  antient  constitution  was  not 

yet 


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HISTORY    OF   EUROPE.         [xSg 

the  difcorery  of  truth,  by  compel- 
ling fufpefted  delinquents,  through 
an  extremity  of  pain,  which  human 
nature  is  not  capable  of  withstand-* 
ing,  to  condemn  themfejves,  by  the 
acknowledgment  of  a  guilt  of  whic$i 
jthey  have  frequency  been  entirely 
innocent.  TJre  Jting,  in  his  edi$, 
affigns  motives  pretty  much  of  tju^ 
nature  for  its  aboliihment ;  and  to 
fupply  the  fuppofed  neceffiry  for 
putting  the  queftion,  as  it  wa,s 
called,  he  ordains,  $hat  the  con- 
feliion  of  guilt  in  a  malefactor  Hiall 
not  at  all  lie  deemed  neceffary  for 
his  puniihment,  where  the  legal 
proofs  of  his  guilt  are  fufficiently 
eftabliihed. 

The  repeated  failures,  or  dif- 
treffes  approaching  clofely  to  what 
is  understood  by  mercantile  failure, 
which  the  European  companies  trad- 
ing to  the  JBaft-Indies  have  of  late ' 
years  fo  particularly  experienced* 
feem  to  bear  a  doubtful  if  not  omi- 
nous afpecl  with  refpe&  to  the  fu- 
ture existence  of  that  commerce, 
which  has  folorig  been  the  great  ob- 
ject of  avidity  to  trading  commu- 
nities, and  of  rivalfhip  and  conten- 
tion among  ftates  ;  and  which  has 
likewife  afforded  the  means  of  pro- 
ducing the  moft  deplorable  calami- 
ties among  tne  retnoteft  nations 
in  the  world,  and  with  whom 
Europe  feemed  to  have  the  leaft 
poffible  concern.  The  fhocks  which 
the  Englim  company  had  receiv- 
ed, .  notwithftanding  the  greatneft 
of  its  territorial  pofleflions  and  re- 
venues, are  too  well  known  to  re- 
quire obfervation.  The  Dutch 
Eaft-India  Company,  which  had  for 
ages  held  unexampled  wealth  and 
power,  and  feemed  rather  a  great  in- 
dependent  fovereign,  than  a  mem- 
ber of  a  fraall  republic,  has  now  of 
late  been  more  than  once  reduced 


^vet  entirely  extinS,  for  as  where 
that  fjpirit  is  wanting  no  fyftem 
of  \laws  or  constitution  of  polity, 
howev«r^excfijH:ent,  will  make  a  na- 
tion free,  fo  while  it  fubiifts  with 
any  vigour, ,  no  form  or  power  of  go- 
vernment can  at  all  times  be  able  to 
withftand  its  fuccefsful  exertion  ; 
especially  if  the  former,  according 
to  Che  nature  of  abfolute  or  ill- re- 
trained fovereignjy,  fhoul<}>  under 
a  weak  or  profligate  prince,  dege- 
nerate into  tyranny.  The  ftates  at 
j^his  time  feemed  to  recall  and  reco- 
ver their  constitutional  importance, 
}>y  refuting  abfofotely  to  comply  with 
fome  of  the  not  numerous  propo- 
sals which  the  king  made  to  them, 
and  on  which  he  had  particularly 
iixed  his  mind.  Thefe  were  for 
the  eftablifjiment  of  fome  funds,  the 
nature  of  which  we  are  not  informed 
of,  and  confequently  can  give  no 
opinion  of  the  propriety  of  the  re- 
fufal,  but  merely  give  the  fad  as 
an  inftance  of  the  power  or  fpirit 
which  the  ftates  of.  Sweden  ftill  re- 
tain. The' (mailed  diifatisfadtion 
was  not,  however,  viftble  on  either 
fide  5  and  the  king  and  the  ftates 
parted,  after  a  very  fhort  feftion, 
with  as  much  apparent  cordiality 
as  they  bad  fhewn  at  their  firft 
meeting. 

To  the  numerous  instances  of  im- 
provements in  legiflation,  or  the  ad- 
jniniftration  of  juftice  in  different 
parts  of  the  weftern  world,  which 
we  have  already  had  the  fatisfa&ion 
of  taking  notice,  and  which  will  fo 
happily  diftinguifti  the  prefent  from 
all  former  ages,  the  king  of  Sweden 
has  added  another,  by  totally  abo- 
lishing within  his  dominions  that 
inhuman  relick  of  antient  barba- 
rity and  cruelty,  the  puniihment  by 
torture  j  or,  what  was  ftill  worfe,  its 
horrible  and  fruitlefs  application  for 
4 


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*7o]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,    \ji6. 


to  the  very  extremity  of  diflrefs, 
and  has  only  been  held  together  by 
the  great  loans  which  the  Hate  has 
advanced  to  fave  it  from  abfolute 
and  impending  ruin.  France  has 
already,  in  the  fhort  interval  fince 
the  peace,  twice  or  thrice  altered 
her  plan  for  conducting  that  com- 
merce., and  does  not  yet  feem  by 
any  means  fixed  in  her  fyftem.  The 
Danifh  company,  being  entirely 
commercial,  and  conducting  its  af- 
fairs upon  a  narrower  fcale,  feemed 
free  from  many  of  thofe  dangers  to 
which  the  more  potent  and  adven- 
turous companies  were  neceflarily 
expofed.  Yet  neither  the  prudence 
of  their  conduct,  nor  the  modera- 
tion of  their  piirfuits,  could  pre- 
serve them  from  (he  common  fata- 
lity ;  and  they  found  their  affairs 
this  year  in  fo  untoward  a  ftate, 
that  they  were  under  a  neceffity  of 
Surrendering  their  charter,  privi- « 
leges,  and  flock,  into  the  hands  of 
the  king,*  who  they  requefted  to  ac- 
cept of  them  on  fuch  terms  as  he 
Jhould  prefcribe.  The  king  has  ac- 
cordingly complied  with  their  re- 
queft,  and  agreed  to  purchafe  their 
relpeitive  fhares  of  ftock  at  a  given 
price,  and  in  a  ftipulated  manner. 

With  refpect  to  other  matters, 
nothing  of  any  confequence  has 
taken  place  in  the  -affairs  of  Den- 
mark. The  pririce/oyal  retains  his 
popularity,  and  feems  to  deferve  it ; 
and  the  people  (which  is  the  beft  of 
all  tefts)  appear  to  be  fatisiied  with 
their  government.  The  prince  feems 
much  difpofed  to  confult  their  incli- 
nations in  his  conduct;  and  lately 
rejectecTa  propofal  that  was  made  to 
him  for  laying  Tome  new  reftraints 
on  the  prefs  j  obferving,  that  as  it 
was  impollible  to  prevent  men  from 
thinking,  fo,  in  defiance  of  all  re- 
ftrictions  and  laws*  they  would  ever 


find  Tome  means  of  communicating 
their  fentiments,  and  the  more  put* 
licly  that  was"  done,  the  Iefs  pernicW 
ous  or  dangerous  would  be  the  etf» 
fed.  The  prince  had  the  fatisfac- 
tion  this  year  of  feeing  bis  fifter, 
the  princefs  royal,  married  at  aft 
early  age  to  the  prinee  of  Slefwic 
Holftein. 

'  The  hereditary  prejudices .  Snd 
animofifies  which  have  fo  long  ope- 
rated, with  all  the  force  of  a  natu* 
ral  antipathy,  upon  the  people  and 
even  the  fovereighs  of  the  northern 
kingdoms,  feems  to  be  wearing  fail 
away.  Indeed,  as  a  clearer  view  of 
their  mutual  arid'refpeftive  interests, 
as  well  as  of  their  common  danger, 
takes  place,  thefe  prejudices,  which 
'had  been  formed  upon  a  totally  diffe- 
rent fcale  of  things,  and  'unde* 
caufes  and  hnpreflions  which  no 
longer  exift,  muft  of  neceffity  de* 
cline.  The  greateft  harmony  ac-» 
cordirrgly  fubfifts,  arid  if  true  policy 
prevails  muft  contihue;and  increafe> 
between  the  northern  crowns  and 
kingdoms. 

We  omitted  in  its  proper-  place 
to  take  notice  of  a  great  and  rOyal 
work  executed  in  Denmark,  being 
no  lefs  than  the  forming  oi  a  fhort 
and  direct  junction  between  the  Bal- 
tic and  the  German  ocean.  This, 
was  done  by  drawing  a  navigable 
canal  from  weft  to  eaft  acrofs  the 

?eninfula  of  Jutland,  the  ancient 
^imbrian  Cherfonefe.  This  canal 
was  opened  in  the  month  of  May 
1785,  and  accompanied  with  an  edict^ 
by  which  a  paffage  through  it  was 
granted  to  all  nations  (-on  the  pay- 
ment of  certain-  fpecified  tolls  or 
duties)  for  fix  years  ;  a  limitation 
as  to  time  for  which  we  do  not  pre- 
•te^d  to  fee  the  motive.  Neither 
can  we,  as  we  have  feen  no  fcale  of 
this  canal,  nor  any  account  of  iu 
dimenfions. 


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HIStORY    OP    EUROPE.         [171 


jiknenflons  with  refpect  to  breadth 
$r  depth,  form  any  accurate  efti- 
piate  of  its  provable  utility  5  which,, 
from  its  nature,  fhould  be  great  in- 
deed. 

The  new  treaty  of  navigation 
and  commerce  between  france  and 
England,  which  was  concluded  at 
Verfailles  on  the  ,20th  of  Septem- 
ber 1786,  may.  be  juftly  considered 
among  tie  moft  important  political 
events  of  the  prefent  year.  It 
ieemed  almoft  Angular,  that  this, 
treaty  was  far  from  affording  gene- 
ral fatisfa,6tion  to  the  people  on  ei- 
ther  fide  of  the  water ;  and  that* 
each  nation  appeared  to  think  that 
it  had  granted  ^oo  much  to  the 
other,  or  had  even  been  overreached 
by  it  in  fome  parts  of  the  compact, 
and  particularly  in  the  rating  and 
adjuttrrJentpf  the  equivalents^  a 
£ircumftance,  however,  which  may 
be  coniidered  as  affording  no  flight 
indication  of  its  being  founded  oh 
liberal  and  equitable  principles, 
efpecially  talcing  the  numerous  and 
deeply  rooted  prejudices  which  it 
had  on  both  fides  to  encounter  into 
the  eftimate. 

In  fact,  the  multiplicity  of  ob- 
jecVwhich  it  embraced,  or  intereft? 
which  it  might  affect,,  its  relation  to 
the  general  fyftem  of  navigation 
and  trade  eftablifhed  in  Europe,  its 
interference  with  the  letter  or  fpirit 
of  treaties  already  exifting  be- 
tween the  parties  and  other  powers, 
and  the  uncertainty  of  its  future 
operation  in  all  or  many  of  thefe 
refpe&s,  prefented  altogether  fuch 
a  face  of  doubt  and  difficulty,  that 
the  moil  intelligent  in  mercantile 
affairs  were  either  at  a  lofs  to  form, 
or  unwilling  to  hazard  a  decided 
opinion,  while  men  in  general  were, 
cither  bewildered  in  the  magnitude. 


of  the  fubject,  or  involved  in  the 
apprehenfion  of  the  manner  in  which 
it  might  affect  their'  own  peculiar 
interetts. 

It  is  to  be  pbferved,    that  this 
was  not  a  novel'  idea^  with  either' 
of  the  parties  -,  and  that  the  gene-? 
ral  principles  of  the  prefent  treaty- 
were  the  fame  With  thofe  of  a  for- 
mer one  which  had  been  rejected 
by  the  Englifh  parjiamenfc  in  the 
year  1 7 13 .    The  cpurta  of  London 
and  Verfailles  had  then  abfplutely 
agreed  upon  the  conditions  5  it  was 
a  part  of  the  fyftem  of  the  toiy 
miniflry  who  concluded  the  peace ; 
and  it  only  wanted  *<he  fanction  of 
parliament  for  its  final  completion. 
But  d\\  the  weight  and  influence  of 
the  court,  with  that  of  the  ftrong 
parry    which    then    predominated* 
notwithstanding  their  utmoft  exer- 
tions to  carry  it  through,  were  foiled 
in  the  attempt.    It  fhould,  however, 
be  remembered,    that  the  violent 
prejudices  which  were  then  enter- 
tained by  the  itrongeft  partifans-  of 
the  revolution  againft  France,   a-- 
gainit.  the  peace,  againft  the  queen 
herfelf,  and  againft  her  minifters, 
who   they  coniidered  as  the  open 
betrayers  of  their   country  to  her 
greateft  enemy,  and-  as  harbouring, 
defigns   directly  fubverfive  of  the 
conftitution,  could  not  but  operate 
greatly  to  the  rejection  of  this  trea- 
ty, independently  of  its  real  merits 
or  faults; 

Without  attempting  at  this  time 
to  ejiter  into  any  particular  di/cuf- 
fion  of  thofe  which  may  be  difco-, 
vered  in  the  prefent,  we  fhall  only 
obferve"  in  general,  that  an  appa- 
rent fairriefs,  a  defire  to  bury  an- 
cient animofites,  to  cure  national 
prejudices,  and  to  remove  the  .par- 
tialities incident  to  jarring  interefts, 

'  feern 


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t7a]      ANNUAL    REQISTER,  1786. 


feem  to  pervade  the  whole,  and  to 
havei>een  the  leading  objects  of  the 
parlies.  Reciprocity  is  the  grand 
principle  of  the  treaty ;  and  it  ieerns 
to  have  been  intended  on  both  fides, 
that  noconceijion  mould  be  made 
on  either,  which  was  not  balanced 
by  a  fuppofed  equivalent  on  the 
01  her.  It  is  fcarcely  within  the  verge 
of  poffibilijy,  that  men  fhould  not 
4ifier  in  their  eftiraates  of  thefe  equi- 
valents. A  vail  reduction  was  made 
on  the  duties  laid  on  the  wines, 
brandies,  and  vinegars  of  France, 
upon  their  importation  into  Eng- 
land ;  oil,  and  fome  other  ftaple 
commodities,  were  to  be  admitted 
upon  the  fame  footing  with  thole  of 
the  moft  favoured  nations.  Similar 
conceflions  were  made  by  France, 
with  refpect  to  the  hardware,  and 
other  great  manufactures  of  Eng- 
land ;  reciprocality,  and  a  free  and 
eafy  intercourfe  between  the  par- 
ties, being  the  ground-work  of  all 
thefe  arrangements. 

What  is  more  particularly  inte- 
lefiingUo  humanity  in  general  than 
mere  commercial  regulations,  which 
ajways  look  to  iptereft  as  their  ob- 
ject, is,  that  France  has  upon  this 
occafion  freely  Sacrificed  her  ancient 
civil  and  religious  prejudices,  which 
feemed  fo  clofely  interwoven  in  her 


tice,  of  refuting  the  rites  of  Sepul- 
ture to  the  bodies  of  fuppofed  here* 
ticks,  is  likewife  done  away  by  this 
tyeaity.     Several  otter  wife  and  hu- 
mane regulations,   tending  to   the 
eafe,  advantage,  and  fecurity  of  in- 
dividuals, and  to  the  promoting  of 
the  moil  free  and  friendly  inter- 
courfe and  connection  between  the 
nations,   are  alio  contained  in  It. 
Though  thefe  were  apparently  niu- 
tual  and  reciprocal,  yet  their  Irene- 
fits  reiied  ahnoii  en{#ely  with  the 
£nglifh :  the  free  laws  an$  govern- 
ment of  that  people,  wjth  the  equal 
and  liberal  courfe  of  their  jufiice,  not 
admitting  of  thofe  reftrictions  to  the 
perfons  or  property  of  foreigners, 
to  which  tbey  had  been  themfelves 
fubjected  in  France.    Thus  the  pro- 
perty of  Britiih  fubjects  who  die  in 
France  is  now  fecured  to  their  heirs, 
without  lett  or  moleftation,  directly 
contrary  to  former  ufage.     Upon 
the  breaking  out  of  a  war  between 
the  two  nations,  it  was  cuftomary 
for   the   Englifh  in  France  to  be 
obliged  to  quit  the  country  at  a  very 
fhort  notice,  and  frequently  to  the 
great   detriment  of    their  affairs } 
but  now  they  are  permitted  to  re- 
fide  in  it,  and  to  purfue  their  re- 
flective avocations  with  .the  famq 
freedom  as  at  home,  under  the  fira- 
ple  and  equitable  condition  of  ron- 
forming  to  its  laws.    It  was  like* 
wife  cuftomary  to  commit  them  to 
the  Baftile,  upon  even  flight  fufpi- 
cions  of  their  public  conduct  j  but 
now,  in  that  cafe,  they  are  allowed 
twelve  months  to. remove  their  per- 
fons and  property  out  of  the  king- 
dom.   It  was  hitherto  the  cuftom 
that  they  could  not  quit  Paris  with- 
out  a   licence  from  government; 
they  are  now    to  have   the  fame 
liberty  of  free  egrefc  and  regrefs 
through 


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HIS  TOR  V   OF   EUROPE.         [175 


through  and  from  every  parti  of  th6 
kingdom  thit  they  could  enjoy  in 
their  own  country.  The  examina- 
tion of  letters,  and  other  difficult 
ties  attending  a  coirefpondence  in 
FranceV  were  a  great  grievance  not 
*hly  to  merchants,  whofe  private4 
and  mofl  fecret  affairs  were  thus  ex- 
poied,  but  to  liteTary  men,  dnd 
even  to  common  friends.  This  evil 
is  now  removed,  and  the  moft  per- 
fect fecurity  afforded,  particularly 
to'  merchants,  who  are  admitted  to 
carry  on  their  correfpondence  in  any 
language  or  idiom  they  mall  think 
prober,  without  any  moleftation  or 
fearch  whatsoever. 

We  fball  referve  any  farther  ob- 
fervati6ns  oil  this  treaty  to  another 
feafon,  when  its  difcufiion  will  ap- 
pear1 in  the  proper  rjlace. 

%  France  through  the  courfe  of  this 
year  paid  the  moft  marked  atten- 
tion to  every  department  of  her 
marine,  and  to  the  promotion  of 
every  part  of  her  commerce  both 
foreign  and  domeftic.  With  a  view 
to  future  wars,  ihe  likewife  endea- 
voured to  encreafe  the  number  of 
her  naval  arfenals  and  ports  on  the 
ocean  (in  which  fhe  is  by  nature  i'o 
defective)  for  the  reception  of  fhips 
of  the  line,  and  the  ftatiott  of  war- 
like fleets. 

The  port  of  Cherburgh,  on  the 
coaft  of  Normandy,  from  its  vici-, 
nity  to^Ehgland,  and  lying  directly 
bppon^eto  the  coaft  of  Hampshire, 
feemed  direftly  calculated  for  this 
piirpofe  j  and  undoubtedly,  if  its 
natural  defects  could  be  remedied 
by  art,  it  would  prove  /a  riioft  ad- 
vantageous ftation  to  the  French 
iieets  in  a  war  with  England,  and 
Trould  not  fail  to  become  an  exceed* 
Jttgly  painful  and  dangerous  thorn 
4k  tht  fide  of  that  .power.    The 


fcheme  was  accordingly  adopted 
With  great  fpirit,  and  carried  on  at 
an  immenfe  ei^ence.  For  the  road 
being  -about  a  league  and  a' half,  in 
length  from  earl:  to  weft,  notwith- 
standing* the  cover  in  part  of  af  lo* 
ifland,  which  corifiderably  ferves  tcf 
break  the  violence  of  the  waves,  & 
flill  much  expofed  to  the  north  and 
north-weft  winds  $  to  remedy  which 
it  was  propofed  to  cover  the  road 
entirely  by  a  fuccefBon  of  moles  on 
that  fide,  leaving  only  two  fufficient 
openings,  one  for  the  palTage  of 
fliips  of  the  largeft  fize,  and  thei 
other  for  trading  veffels.  One  of 
thefe  moles  was  to  be  carried4 
though  the  ifland (which  was  moftly 
overflown  in  fpring  tides)  and  th« 
others  were  to  have  their  founda-* 
tions  laid,  and  fuperftru&ure  railed; 
in  a  deep  ancLboifterous  fea.  The 
labour  was  vaft,  but  the  objed  was 
highly  inviting;  for  if  the  fences' 
could  be  compleated,  large  fleets, 
compofed  of  the  moft  capital  (hips, 
might  lie  fecurely  at  anchor  within- 
them  in  all  weather.  Forts,  with 
batteries  of  the  heavieft  cannon, 
were  to  be  erected  on  the  different 
moles  in  fuch  fitua  tions  as  to  be* 
themfelves  impregnable,  and  to  ren- 
der the  approach  of  an  enemy  ut- 
terly impracticable.  A  capacious 
bafon,  with  docks,  and  all  the  other 
appendage*  to  a  great  naval  arfenaly 
were  to  be  conftructed  in  and  ad- 
joiriing  to  the  harbour  and  town. 
The  number  of  hands  employed  in 
this  mighty  defign  were  fuittfd  to 
its  magnitude  and  importance  y  and 
the  removal  and  placing,  hy  any 
number,  of  thofe  immenfe  maffes  of 
folid  rock,  which?  in  fo  turbulent  a 
fea,  could  alone  lay  the  foundations 
offuch  ftupendous  piles  of  building, 
would  have  appeared  impoflible  to 

any. 


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i74J.     ANNUAL    R  EG  i  S  T  E  Rj  178S. 


iny,  who  had  not  before  feen  or 
heard  of  firailar  grand  exertions  of 
human  labour  and  art. 

This  Herculean  labour  was  deem- 
ed of  fuch  national  importance; 
that  the  king,  who  had  never  before 
been  at  any  confiderable  di dance 
from  Paris,  took  a  journey  on  pfcr- 
pofe  to  behold  its  progrefs.  Even 
How,  as  it  might  be  faid  in  its  in- 
fant (late,  he  could  not  behold  with- 
out furprize  the  ftupendous  parts  of 
that  future  giant  which  were  already 
in  profpect  The  fupporters  of  the 
mole  were  to  be  in  the  form  of  cones; 

bulk, 

rhich 
ench 
ttom* 
fuc- 
nthe 
;vent 
>rded 
n  fa- 
3  did 
afto-i 
rtion 

)lace 
re  of 
'  the 
ands 

l&U- 

Ith  a 
>ut  a 
was 
the 
him 

)pily 
and 
un- 
'  be 
very 
heir 
the 
ts  a- 


gainft  its  own  fubje&s,  as  formerly^ 
on  that  account,  this  year  has  been 
fignalized  by  an  arret,  inviting 
Grangers  of  all  chriftian  nations  and 
religious  perfuafions  whatever  to 
fettle  in  the  country,  enabling  them 
to  purchafe  lands,  and  to  enjoy  all 
the  common  rignts  of  citizens. 

It  afforded  a  fingular  object  of 
moral  and  political  consideration,  to 
behold  fourteen  velTels  frohi  North 
America  arrive  together  in  the  har- 
bour of  Dunkirk,  freighted  with  the 
families,  goods,  and  property  of  a 
colony  of  quakers  and  baptifts,  (the 
mofl  rigid,  perhaps,  in  their  religi- 
ous principles  of  any  among  the  re- 
fprmed)  who  are  come  to  fettle  at 
that    place,    in  a   Rpman  catholic 
country,  and  under  the  government 
of  the  French  monarch ;    two  cir- 
ctimftances  the  molt  dire&ly  oppo- 
f\te  to  their  ancient  fentiments,  whe- 
ther political  or  religious.    Thefc 
people  amounted  to  about  a  hundred 
families,  and  are  dcitined  to  the  pro- 
fecution  of  the  whale  and  other  n(h- 
eries,  in  which  they  had  long  been 
fuperiorly  eminent  at  home.    M.  de 
Calonne  had  the  honour  of  forming 
the  fcheme,  of  inviting  them,  and 
of  giving  them  every    encourage- 
ment they  could  deft  re  j  particularly 
in  every  poflible  fecuritv    for  the 
prefervation  of  their   civil    rights 
and  religious   freedom.     The  ruin 
which  befel  the  American  oil  trade, 
and  confequently  fifheries,  through 
their  unhappy  ffeparation  from  Eng- 
land, afforded  the  occafion  on  one 
fide,  and  laid  the  necefiity  on  the 
other. 

Another  arret  Was  iffued  about  the 
fame  time  as  the  former,  for  the 
encouragement  of  nrtilb.  and  manu- 
facturers of  all  nations  to  fettle  iri 
France,  by  allowing  ihem  the  fame 
privileges 


igitizedby 


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&X S T ORY,  OF   E U R O  £ M. 


f*f$ 


privileges  which  they  enjoyed  in,  caution  by  the  crown,    eVeri  in 

their  native  countries,  with  exemp-  France. 

lions  from  <  all  duties,  for  a  limited  The  Gallican  church,   by  ever 

time,  on  the  importation  of  the  raw  keeping  itfelf  diftind,  and    nobly 

materials  ufed  in  their  manufactures,  fupporting  its  rights  againll  the  en* 

as  well  as  from  the  payment  of  taxes, ,  croachments  of  the  fee  of  Rome, 

and    all  perfpnal  duties   to   them-,  has  thereby  acquired  a  degree  of 


felves  and  their  workmen  )  on  thefe 
copditions  they  were  bound  to  con- 
tinue for  a  given  number  of  years 
in  the  kindgom,  and  for  the  greater 
fecurity  were  not  to  form,  their  fet- 
tiements  within  feven  leagues, of  the 
frontier;  but  at  the  expiration  of 
the  prefcribed  terra  they  were  to  be 
at  full  liberty  to  depart,  when,  and 
in  whatever  manner  was  nioft  con- 
venient to  them,  and  to  remove 
their  property  as  well  as  their  per- 
forms wnerever  they  fhould  think  pro-r 
per ;  the  king  giving  up  the  dfoit 
tfaubaine  entirely  in  their  favour. 

.  It  would  havp  been  a  ftrange  fo- 
tecifra  in  policy  to  encourage   and 


weight,  dignity  and  character,  which 
no  other  of  the  fame  perfualioa  pof- 
fefTes.  The  parifli  priefls  like  wife 
in  France  have  long- been  celebrat-. 
ed  for  general  humanity  and  bene- 
volence, care  of,  and  tendemeft  tty 
their  flocks,  irreproachable  lives^ 
and  the  general  excellency  of  their 
character.  -All  theje  Concurrent  cir- 
curnftances  ferve  to  give  fuch  a  nrn>»  - 
nefs  to  the  whole  eftablimment,  that 
it  could  riot  without  great  difficulty 
be  fhaken. 

Indeed  it    never  will  be  found 
eafyitodraw  fo  ftrait  and  equal  a; 
line  between  the  public    religious 
eftabliflunent  of  any  country,  and 


allure  foreign   protectants,  to  fettle    that  which  is  only  tolerated,  as  can 


in  the  kingdom,  without  reftoring 
the  numerous  natives  of  that  profef- 
fion  in  fome  connderable  degree  to 
the  rights  of  citizens.  Indeed  the 
king  and  the  government  feem  to 
hold  difpofitions  very  favourable  to 
the  granting  of  every  indulgence  to 
the  native  protectants,  which  they 
could  well  with  propriety  expe&. 
But  there  are  great  and  numerous 
difficulties  in  the  way  to  their  full 
eftabliihment  in    all    thofe   rights, 


afford  full  fatisfa&um  to  both  the 
parties. .  The  one  will  ever  regard 
whatever  is  granted  either  as  an  en- 
croachment on,  or  as  endangering 
its  own  rights,  while  tbevother'w  apt, 
on  every  new  indulgence  or  favour, 
to  grow  the  more  impatient  for 
greater,  and  even  to  long  for  the 
forbidden  fruits  of  church  emolu- 
ment/in  proportion  as  they  become 
nearer  in  view. 
Something  was,  however,  done  in 


which  they  would  have  pofiefTed  if   favour  of  the  native  proteftanU  ill 
they  had  adhered  to  the  jrablic  re-    France,  though  probably  no tfo  much. 


ligion  of  their  country.  -The  clergy 
in. France  are  a  very  great  and  pow 
erful  body,  and  bendes  their  ut'ual 
influence  upon  the  people,  are  Co  in- 
terwoven with  the  nobility,  as  not, . 
in  the  prefent  order  of  things,  to  be 
feparable.     Such  an  union  rauft  be  * 


as  was  wiihed,  or  even  intended. 
The  legitimacy  of  their  marriages  is 
to  be  admitted,  and  the  rights  of  in- 
heritance confequently  eltabliihed, 
under  the  condition  of  the  former 
being  regiftered  -in  an  office  ap- 
pointed for  the  purpofe'at  the  Hotel 


treated   with  great  tendernefs  and.  <te  Ville.   They- are  Hkewtfe  to  be 

admitted 


0 


Digitized  by  VjOOQI 


176]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,   1786. 


admitted  to  inftitute  places  of  public* 
Avorfliip,  but  they  muff  bear  only  the 
outward  appearance  of  private  hou- 
fcs;  in  thefe  they  will  ,be  entitled  to 
the  free  exercife  of  their  religious 
rites,  fubject  to  the  fingle  feitric- 
tion  of  peeping  the  doors  ihut  dur- 
ing the  fervice.  Their  paftors  are 
of  courfe  exonerated  from  all  the 
penalties  prefcribed  by  former 
laws. 

Thus  has  fome  confiderable  open- 
ing been  made  towards  affording  re- 
lief to  fo  numerous  a  body  <5f  the 
people,  who  after  all  the  loffes  they  • 
had  fuftained  by  wars,  emigrations, 
and  punifhments,  and  the  long  and 
continued  opprelfions  they  have  en- 
dured, ftill  amount  to  a  fifth  or  iixth 
of  the  whole  inhabitants  of.  (the 
kingdom,  the  loweft  eftimates  rat- 
ing their  numbers  at  four  mil- 
lions. 

Some  indulgences  have  been  ex- 
tended to' the  peafantry  this  year  in 
France  5  that  moll  valuable  order 
of  men, •  who  are  the  foundation  of 
ftrength,  wealth  and  power  in  every 
community  that  poffeffes  them,  and 
who  have  been  too  long  mod  fhame- 
fully  and  unwifely  defpifed  and  op- 
preffed,  not  only  in  France,  but  in 
moft  other  countries.  They  are 
now  relieved  from  that  intolerable 
bondage  and  continued  oppreflion  to 
,  which  they  had  fo  long  been  fubject- 
ed,  under  the  arbitrary  domination 
of  inferior  mercenary  officers,  with 
refpect  to  the  heavy  labour  to  which 
they  were*  bound  in  the  repair  and 
conftruction  of  the  roads  $  thefe  petty 
miniilers  of  the  civil  power,  either 
grinding  them  by  the  moft  fharaelefs 
extortion  of  money,  which  their 
poverty  could  fo  ill  fpare,  or  ty- 
ranically  confpelling  them  to  at- 
tend with  their  carts  and  draught 


cattle  to  the  duty  of  the  roads,  at 
the  moft  diftrefling  and  critical  fea- 
fbn  of  their  agriculture.  A  new 
fyftem  is  adopted  with  refpect  to  the 
roads;  the  farmers  are  to  be  dis- 
charged from  the  duty,  and  the  work' 
to  be  done  by  labourers  hired  at  the 
public  expence. 

An  edict  was  likewife  pafled  this 
year  which  affords  a  fecnrity  that 
was  greatly  wanting  to  the  commu- 
nity in  general,  but  more  particu- 
larly to  the  trading  and  manufa- 
turing  part,  with  refpect  both  to 
their  perfons  and  property.  Many 
cities  and  Corporations  poffeffed  the 
municipal  authority  of  arrefting  the 
perfons  and  detaining  the  property 
of  ftrangers  who  came  tranfiently 
within  their  jurifdiction,  for  real  or 
pretended  charges  of  debt  kid  a- 
gainft  them  bf  perfons  at  any  dif- 
tance,  and  fometimes  in  the  remot- 
eft  provinces.  The  moft  doubtful 
documents  were  received  as  fuffici- 
ent  grounds  for  thefe  actions  j  and 
the  general  neceffary  confequence 
was,  that  the  defendant,  if  far  from' 
home,  and  no  powerful  connection 
within  reach,  was  totally  ruined,  at 
the  fuit  perhaps  of  an  unknown  and 
unheard  of  plaintiff,  before  he  could 
find  means  to  extricate  his  perfoh  or 
property.  The  enormity  was  fo 
glaring,  that  its  exiftence  for  any 
length  of  time  would  appear  almoft 
incredible,  if  fimilar  inftances  of  the 
long  fufferance  of  evil,  through  the 
fupinenefs  of  rulers,  and  the  defect 
of  fpirit  or  power  in  the  injured, 
had  not  been  obfervable  in  all  coun- 
tries :  it  is  now,  however,  abolifh- 
ed,  and  this  crying  grievance  effec- 
tually redreffed. 

J  f  it  may  not  be  confidered  as  a 

revolution  in  the  hiftory  of  mankind, 

it  may  however  be  admitted  as  a 

lingular 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


HISTORY   OF   EUROPE. 


[i77 


lingular  and  unexampled  inftance  of 
change  in  the  fentiments  of  the  weft- 
em  worldr  that  the  royal  academy 
of  fciences^t  Paris  this  yearfclected, 
as  one  of  their  foreign  correfpond- 
ents,  a  Mr.  Liftel,  a  ^Free  Black, 
of  the  ifle  of  Frarfce,  who  had  dif- 
tinguifhed  himfelf  by  a  feries  of  cu- 
rious and  extremely  well  calculated 
meteorological  observations  5  thus 
freaking  down  in  fome  degree  the 


ftrong  and  long-eft  a  bliflied  line  of 
diftin&ion  between  colours,  and 
holding  out  encouragement  to  fu- 
ture Africans  to  cultivate  the  fcien- 
ces  and  philofophy,  by  (hewing  them 
that  the  way  is  opened  to  acaderai* 
cal  honours,  wherever  they  are  rae» 
rited,  without  any  regard  .  to  the 
country  or  natural  hue  of  the  inge* 
nious  proficient. 


Vol.  XXVIII. 


m 


ClfRO 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


C  m  i 


£  H  R  O  N  I  €  L  E; 


JANUARY. 

.fft.  A  CX>OUNTS  received  from 
/^  all  quarters,  of  the  efFe6b 
■of  the  weather,  at  the  beginning  of 
.the  new  year,  are  dreadful ;  thunder, 
lightning,  intenfe  froft,  and  deep 
fnow,  chara&erife  the  commence- 
ment of  the  prefent  year. 

Napks.   On  the  morning  of  the 
*ath  of  November  laft,  at  leaft  one 
,  hundred  fhocks  of  an  earthquake 
Were  felt  in  the  environs  of  Vefu- 
Yius.     This   mountain,  which  has 
been  for  fome  time  in  convulsions, 
continues  to  vomit  forth  a  prodigious 
quantity    of   inflammable    matter, 
which  terrifies  the  inhabitants,  left 
the  lava  fhould  take  a  new  courfe, 
And  overflow  the  country, 
nth       The  Swallow  packet,  from 
*    Bengal,  arrived  in  the  Downs, 
on  the  9th  inftant,  on  board  of  which 
lord    Macartney    came    paflenger. 
His  lordfhip  was  feveral  days  in 
Calcutta,  previous  to  the  arrival  of 
the  difpatches  of  the  court  of  di- 
rectors containing  his  appointment 
.  of  governor-general  of  Bengal.  This 
packet  brought  over  a  copy  of  the 
ientence  of  the  court* martial  on 
-  major-general   fir  John  jBurgoyne, 
bart.  which  -honourably  acquits  him 
of  every  part  of  the  charge  again  ft 
him. 
'  1 6.  The  feflions  at  the  Old  Bailey, 
Vot.  XXVIIL. 


which  fcegari  upon  Wednesday  tha 
.nth,  ended,  when  7  convi&s  re- 
ceived fentence  of  death,  26  were 
fentenced  to  be  tranfported,  14*1:0 
be  imprifoned,  and  kept  to  ham 
labour  in  the  houfe  of  correction,  6 
to  be  whipped,  2  imprifoned  in 
Newgate,  and  ifl  discharged  bf 
proclamation. 

At  the  above  feffions>  Among 
others,  came  on  the  trial  of  John, 
Hogan,  a  Mulatto,  for  the  murder 
of  the  fervant  of  Mr.  Orrel  of  Char- 
lotte-ftreet.  The  following  clrcum- 
ftances  appeared—That  thedeceafed 
had  her  bead-drefs  torn  off,  and 
thrown  on  the  ground,  covered  with, 
blood,  as  were  her  handkerchief* 
gown,  &c.  Her  fkull  was  fractured  r 
her  left  eye  beaten  almoft  out  of 
its  focket;  her  cheek-bones  both 
oroken ;  her  chiri  cut ;  her  neck  and 
throat  both  cut  5  feveral  wounds  in 
her  breaft,  particularly  a  large  cir- 
cular one  5  her  left  arm  broke ;  and 
her  right  arm  and  wrift  both  cut. 
The  fnftrument  with  which  tha 
wounds  frad  been  made  was  a  razor  j 
and  notwithftanding  it  ha'd  beerx 
thrown  into  a  fire,  the  fpots  of  blood 
were  not  erafed. 

She  was  alive>  but  fpeechlefs, 
and  died  the  fame  night  at  twelve 
o'clock.  The  prifoner  having 
brought  home  fome  chairs/  a  ihbrt 
time  before,  to  Mr^Orrell's,  and  a 

£Aj  perfoai 


)<?lc- 


i$i)       ANNUAL    REG  1ST  ER,  1786. 


perfon  anfwering  his  defcription 
having  been  fecn  in  the  neighbour- 
hood that  day,  fufpicion  fell  on  him, 
and  he  was  twice  taken  up,  and 
twice  difcharged  for  want  of  evi- 
dence. 

The  prifoner  had  been  tried  for 
a  larceny,  and  Mr.  Orrell  reading 
his  trial  in  the  feffions-paper,  it  oc- 
curred to  him  to  fearch  at  the  pawn- 
broker's where  he  had  pawned  the 
property  Helen,  for  which  he  was 
lb  tried,  to  fee  if  any  of  his  pro- 
perty, which  was  ftolen  at  the  time 
of  the  murder,  had  been  lodged 
with  that  pawnbroker}  there  he 
found  a  cloak  of  his  wife's,  pawned 
the  morning  after  the  murder,  by 
the  woman  with  whom  he  coha- 
bited. . 

On  the  prifoner's  being  taken  to 
the  body  of  the  deceafed>  he  ap- 
peared not  in  the  leaft  agitated ; 
but,  putting  his  hand  on  her  bread, 
he  faid,  "  My  dear  Nancy,  I  do 
"  remember  you  well ;  I  never  did 
4<  you  any  harm  in  my  life!".— 
Thefe  expreflions  very  forcibly  add- 
•d  to  the  (ufpicions  of  his  guilt,  be- 
caufe  her  face  was  fo  exceedingly 

hrell 
have 
iflan- 
him, 
fooat 
flight 
eeves 
been 
1  the 
eem- 
vain, 
from 

jainft 
m  he 
it  he 
vhich 

liti#n 


of  paying  for  it  at  the  rate  of  fm 
much  a  week.  The  cloak  was  pro- 
duced in  court,  and  Mrs.  Orrell 
fwore  to  it  as  her  property.  The 
deponent  further  faid,  that  after 
Hogan  had  been  twice  taken  before 
a  magiflrate,  he,  at  intervals,  ap- 
peared to  be  very  uneafy  j  that  par- 
ticularly he  could  not  ileep  in  bed ; 
that  fhe  faid  to  him  one  night,  "  For 
"  God's  fake  what  is  the  matter 
"  with  you  ?  furely  you  are  not 
"  guilty  of  what  you  have  been 
"  taken  up  for?"  that  his  anfwer 
was,  "  Yes,  I  am :— I  am  guilty:— 
**  I  did  it." — She  then  was  much 
troubled %in  mind,  and  apprehended 
fatal  con  fequences  to  herfelf,  particu- 
larly, as  he  faid  to  her,  "  You  muft 
fay  nothing ;  you  mu#  be  quiet,  for 
if  I  be  hanged,  you  will  be  hanged 
with  me :"  and  on  her  afking  him, 
why  he  had  murdered  the  young 
woman,  he  anfwered,  becauie  he 
wanted  to  be  great  with  her,  and 
ihe  re  lifted  him. 

The  prifoner  being  called  on  for 
his  defence,  faid,  '*  lam  innocent  \ 
"  and  if  any  body  takes  away  my 
"-  life,  I  will  never  forgive  them." 

The  recorder  fummed  up  the  trial 
with  great  impartiality,  and  the  jury* 
inftantly  found  him  guilty ;  he  wa* 
then  fentenced  to  be  executed  on 
Monday  morning,  and  his  body  (o 
be  diftc&ed  and  anatomized.  He 
was  accordingly  taken  from  New- 
gate in  a  cart  on  Monday,  and  ex- 
ecuted on  a  gibbet  oppofite  Mr. 
OrreH's  houfe.  A  great  concourfe 
of  people  attended  the  execution, 
but  never  died  a  malefactor  with  left 
pity.  Juft  before  being  turned  off, 
he  bowed  four  times  to  the,  popu- 
lace, and,  in  an  audible  voice,  con- 
fefled  himfelf  guilty  of  the  murder, 
for  which  he  had  been  juftly  con- 
demned to  die, 

Thif 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHRONICLE. 


t*95 


*<th  This  morning  Mr.  Price, 
w^  *  who  was  committed  on  fuf- 
pici&n  of  forgery  on  the  bank,  and 
was  to  have  been  examined  as  this 
day  at  eleveri,  hanged  hirnfelf  in  his 
room  in  Tothill-fields  bridewell. — 
From  a  variety  of  circumftancesj 
there  remains  no  doubt  that  he  is. 
the  perfon  fp  frequently  advertifed 
for  forgeries  on  the  bank  for  feveral 
years  pad,  and  who  has  had  the  ad- 
drcfs  to  elude  the  ftri&eft  fear^ch, 
though  long  known  and  fufpe&ed. 
It  was  his  cuftom,  at  times,,  to  give 
entertainments  to  a  lele&  party, 
and,  to  evade ,  the  plate-tax,  to  bor- 
row the  fplendid  articles  of  the  fide- 
board  at  a  pawn-broker's,  depofiting 
bank-notes  as  a  fecurity.  The  pawn- 
broker Happening  to  offer  one  at  the 
bank,  was  flopped,  and,  on  relating 
how  he  came  by  it,  with  all  the  cir- 
cumftarices,  proper  people  were  fent 
to  the  (hop,  whd,  when  he  came  to 
return  the  plate,  immediately  took 
him  into  cuftody. 

rs  The  laft  accounts  from  North 
31lx'  America  are^  full  of  the  &£- 
treffes  occasioned  by  the  heavy  falls 
of  rain  in  September  and  O&ober 
laft. 

At  Portfmouth,  in  New  itamp- 
fhire,  the  waters  rofe  to  an  alarming . 
height  4 

At  Dover  the  waters  rofe  about 
1  j  feet  perpendicular  above  the  ufual 
flowing  of  the  tide,  and  carried  off 
feveral  hundred  tboufand  lumber.  It 
deftroyed  fome  valuable  ftores,  feven 
mills,  and  two  bridges. 

At  Portfmouth,  in  Virginia,  a  moil 
tremendous  gale,  added  to  the  fireflies, 
carried  federal  veflels  into  the  fields 
and  woods,  where  fome  of  them  never 
can  be  got  off.  The  damage  is  efti- 
mated  at  30,0001. 

The  long  contefted  caufe  between 
the  vicar  of  Odiham,  plaintiff)  and 


the  chancellor  of  Sarum,  and  others, 
defendants,  was  lately  fettled  by 
the  judges  of  the  Exchequer,  in  fa- 
vour of  the  plaintiff,  by  his  having 
a  prefcriptive  right  \td  all  frnall 
tithes,  though  he  could  not  produce 
an  endowment.  *  By  this  decifion 
that  right  of  the  inferior  clergy  to 
tlie  tithes  of  clover-feed,  turnip- 
feed>  dnd  all  finall  tithes  whatever, 
is  finally  fettled. 

Died.  Lately,  at  Gartfhore,  in  tho 
parifh  of  Kirkintillock,  eight  miles, 
from  Glafgow,  Anne  Home,  aged 
49.  She  was  44  times  tapped*  for  % 
dropfy,  and  286  Scots  pints  of  water 
taken  from  her.  For  half  a  year 
before  her  death,  a  JScpta  pint  was 
collected  every  day* 


FEBRUARY. 

On  the  37th  of  January,  the  - 
brig  Bafel,  Capt.  Raphael,  ar-  llt* 
rived  at  Liverpool  from  Dominica. 
In  her  paffage  fhe  picked  up  the 
crew  of  the  Charming  Molly,  bound 
from  Bermudas  to  Turk's-ifland/ 
which  veffel  had  foundered  three 
days  before,  when  the  crew,  fen  in 
number,  took  to  their  boat,  to  the 
ftern  of  which  they  tied  a  log  of 
wood,  to  keep  her  head  to  the  fea. 
—In  this  fituation  they  remained  al- 
moft  without  hope  of  relief.  When 
Captain  Raphael  difcovered  them, 
thev  had  about  a  pound  of  breads 
and  two  gallons  of  water  left  $  of 
]the  latter  of  which  they  gave  ttf 
each  other  a  wine-glafs  full,  thioH- 
ened  with  a  mouthful  of  bread,  once 
in  1  a  hours.  The  boat  being  only 
12  feet  in  length*  one  half  of  the 
crew  were  obliged  to  lie  down  in 
her  bottom  alternately,  while  the 
other  half  fat  along  the  fides,  as  in 
any  other  fituation  the  boat  muft 

[A*]  a  hav* 


Digitized  by  VjjOOQIC 


»9$]      ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786. 


have  oeen  €op-h$&vy.  In  this  fitna- 
don,  expe&ing  every  moment  to 
fee  dieir  laft,  they  were  providen- 
tially preferved  by  the  humanity  of 
Capt.  Raphael,  who  brought  them 
home. 

Out  of  a  fleet  of  13  fail  of  •  Swedish 
merchant-fhtps,  •  laden  with  naval 
ftores,  configned  for  VOfien't,  in 
France,  two  only  have  reached  their 
deftined  port,  the  other  eleven  hav- 
ing been  wrecked  in  that  heavy  gale 
of  wind  m  which  the  Halfewell  pe- 
fifhed.  The  coaft  of  Eflex  has  been 
covered  with  the  fpoils  of  this  unfor- 
tunate fleet. 

On  account  of  the  league,  offen- 
sive and  defensive,  between  France 
and  Holland,  the  ft>Howin£  medal 
laa  been  ftruck.       .        

A  woman  reprefenting  Holland, 
feated  on  a  throne,  the  Batavian  lion 
by  her  fide,  armed  with /even  arrows, 
4  fymbol  of  the  Belgic  Union,  al- 
luding to  the  peace  concluded  with 
the  Emperor ;  Holland  offering  the 


paffed  the  found  the  laft  year, 
arriounts  to  io,&68,  of  which  2335 
were  EngKfh  ;  2136  Swedes ;  1789 
Danes;  1571  Dutch. 5  114  Ruffi- 
an's; 176  Bremen  s;  161  Dantzick- 
ers  j  1358  Pruflians;  no  of  Rof- 
tockj  79  Lubeckers  ;  66 '  Irnperial- 
ifts  ;  61  Hamburgh  ers  $  28  Portu- 
gue&;  25  Gourlanders  j  20  French  5 
20  Americans;  15  Spanifh ;  and  4 
Venetians. 

The  number  of  veffels  that  en- 
tered theport  Of  Danteick  in  1785* 
was  684,  and  ^37  failed  out ;  57 
wintered  there.  Of  thofe  who  failed 
out,  76  were  Dutch,  59  Pruflian, 
1  S3  Eriglifli,  153  Danifh,  s^Swfc* 
dim,  and  162  Dantzickers. 

Came  on  in  the  Court  of  h 
Kings  Bench,  before  Lord  Iotn" 
Mansfield,  and  a  very  crowded  court^ 
the  trial  of  13  prifoners  for  debt  in 
the  King's  Bench  prifon,  who  fonfts 
months  fince  were  committed  to  the 
New  Gaol,  for  attempting  to  blbtor 
up  the  walls  of  the-faid  prifon.  The 
indi&ment  was  laid  againft  them  for 
n  confpiracy  and  niifdemeanour  5 
and,  after  a  very  long  trial,  they  were 
all  found  guilty.  They  have  all, 
fince,  received  fentence ;  the  four 
principal  ringleaders  to  be  confined 
in  Newgate  three  years;  three  of 
them  to  find  fecurity  for  the  famt 
term,  after  the  expiration  of  their 
imprifonment  5  fix  to  be  confined  in 
Surrey  bridewell  for  two  years  5  and 
three  in  the  houfe  of  correction  for 
the  fame  term,  and  to  find  fecurity 
for  their  good  behaviour  -for  tw* 
years. 

About  one  in  the  morning       ., 
a  raoft  barbarous  and  extraor-  IX 
diriary  murdeV  was   attempted  on 
the  body  of  Mr.  Walter  Horfeman, 
milk-feller  at  Kentifh  Town.  White, 
afleep  in  his  bed,  with  his  little  girl 
of  four  years  trtd  by  hig  fide,    his 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


CHRONICLE. 


[i*7 


HuriTwas  fplit  afunder  with  an  iron 
window-bar,  and  one  of  his  eyes 
1>eat  out:  in  this  difmal  ftate  he 
continued  to  breathe-  eight  days, 
though  without  the  leaft  hope  of  re- 
covery.— A  wretch  of  about  18,  who 
from  motives  of  humanity  had  been 
brought  up  in  the  family  from  a 
child,  but  "who  lately  had  been 
turned  off  for  idlenefs  and  ill  beha- 
viour, is  taken  up  on  fafpicion,  and 
very  ftrong  circumftances  feem  to 
put  it  beyond  all  doubt  that  he  was 
the  culprit. — The  wife  of  Mr,  Horfe- 
man  was  on  the  next  floor  with  a 
lick  child ;  and  his  fon,  two  men, 
and  a  boy,  were  on  the  fame  floor. 

Died.  Lately,  at  the  extraordi- 
nary age  of  no  years,  8  months, 
and  14  days,  in  "the  full  enjoyment 
of  every  faculty,  except  ftrenffth, 
and  quicknefs  of  hearing,  Cardinal 
de  Salis,  archbifhop  of  Seville.  He 
fifed  to  tell  his  friends,  when  afked 
what  regimen  he  obferved,  "  By 
being  old  when  I  was  young,  I  find 
Hiyfeff  young  now  I  am  old.  I  led 
a  fober,  ftudious,  but  not  a  laiy  or 
iedentary  life.  My  diet  was  fpar- 
ing,  though  delicate;  my  liquors 
the  beft  wines  ©f  Xerez  ahd  La 
Mancha,  of  which  I  never  exceeded 
a  pint  at  any  meal,  except  in  cold 
weather,  when  I  allowed  myfelf  a 
third  more.  %  I  rode  or  walked  every 
day,  except  in  rainy  weather,  when 
Iexercifed  for  a  couple  of  hours. 
So  far  I  took  care  for  the  body ;  and 
as  to  the  mind,  I  endeavoured  to 
pefenre  it  in  due  temper  by  a  fcru- 
pulous  obedience  to  the  Divine- 
commands,  and  keeping  (as  the 
^oftle  dke&s)  a  conscience  void  of 
,  offence  towards  God  and  man.  By 
thefe  innocent  means  I  have  arrived 
at  thfc  age  of  a  patriarch  with  lefs 
injury  to  my  health  and  constitution 
Itan  many  experience  at  forty.    I 


am  now,  like  the  ripe  corn,  ready 
for  the  fickle  of  death,  and,  by  the 
mercy  of  my  Redeemer,  have  ftrong 
£opes  of  being  tranflated  into*  his 
garner/*  "  Glorious  old  age  V* 
faid  (he  king  of  Spain ;  "  would  tQ 
heaven  he  had  appointed  a  fuc- 
ceffor;  for  the  people  of  Seville 
have  been  fo  long  ufed  to  excel- 
lence, they  will  'never  be  fatisficd 
with  the  beft  prelate  I  can  fend 
them." — The -cardinal  was  of  a  no- 
ble houfe  in  the  province  of  Andat 
lufia,  and  the  laft  furviving  fon  of 
don  Antonio  de  Salis,  hiftoriogra- 
pher  to  Philip  IV.  and  author  of 
the  Conqueft  of  Mexico. 

At  Tetbury,  %aged  102,  Anne 
Davis.  This  woman  had  the  per* 
feci:  ufe  of  her  faculties  till  the  laft 
minute.  She  had  not  been  out  of 
her  room  for  upwards  of  thirty  years* 
nor  ever  during  that  period,  even  in 
the  moft  extreme  cold  weather,  would^ 
fuffer  any  fire  in  her  chamber. 


MARCH. 

Dublin,  March  if.  We  juft  now> 
hear,  that  the  famous  Connaught 
chief,  O'Connor,  (who  has  been  in 
arms,  andfet  himfelfup  asfupreme 
magiftrate,  under  pretence  of  being 
deftended  from  the  ancient  kings 
of  that  province,  which  is  however 
far  from  the  truth)  is  deferted  hy 
the  principal  part  of  his  followers, 
on  the  news  that  the  dragoons  were 
on  their  march' for  that  part  of  the 
kingdom;  fo  that  we  hope  this 
threatening  infurgency  will  be  quel- , 
led  without  bloodihed. 

At  Plymouth,  on  the  oth  inftant. 
his  royal  bighnefs  prince  William 
Henry  was  initiated  into  the  ancient 
and  honourable  fbciety  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Mafons. 

[iV]  3  fort/mouth, 


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i98]       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  178*. 


Port/mouth,  March  24.  This  morn- 
ing the  convicts  on  board  the  pri- 
fon-ihip  rofe  upon*  their  keepers, 
and  were  not  fubdued  till  eight  were 
ihot  dead,  and  36  wounded. 

The  San  Pedro  d'Alcantaja,  a 
Spanifh  galleon,  from  Lima  to  Ca- 
diz, with  eight  millions  of  dollars 
on  board,  was  (branded  at  Paniche, 
on  the  17th  of  January:  the  wind 
blowing  off  the  more,  186  of  the 
people  were  drowned.  It  is  hoped 
that  a  great  part  of  the  money  will 
be  recovered,  otherwife  the  lofs  will 
be  felt  all  over  Europe.  By  ac- 
counts from  the  Havanna,  they  have 
difcovered,  about  jo;  miles  from 
Arnpa,  a  northern  city  of  Mexico, 
a  vein  of  virgin  gold,  which  proves 
to  be  22$  carrats  fine. 

His  Neapolitan  majefty,  abdut 
the  middle  of  January,  gave  the 
diverfion  of  hunting  to  the  duke 
and  duchefs  of  Cumberland,  to 
which  the  foreign  minifters,  and  the 
principal  nobility  about  the  court, 
were  invited.  Armed  with  fpears 
only,  the  noble  fportfmen  diftin- 
guifhed  their  dexterity  in  theflaugh- 
ter  of  the  game.  After  which  a 
magnificent  entertainment  was  pro- 
vided under  tents  for  their  royal 


profeffor  is  to  read  two  hours  in  eacli 
week. 

The  gold  medals  given  an-       ^ 
nuallybyhis  grace  the  duke  of  3 
Grafton,  chancellor  of  Cambridge, 
to  thofe  who,  after  having  taken  their 
A.B.  degree,  pafs.the  bell  clailical 
examination,  were  adjudged  to  Mr. 
Rd.  Rarafden,  and  Mr.  Ralph  Ley-? 
cefter,  both  of  Trinity  college. 
,  The  pope  has  formally  fufpended 
cardinal  Rohan,  now  in  the  Baftile, 
from  all  honours,  rights,  and  pri- 
vileges, pertaining  to  his  dignity  of 
cardinal,  till,  he  appears  before  his 
holinefs,  and  clears  himfelf  of  the 
crimes  laid  to  his  charge. 

An  action  upon  the  cafe  was  tried 
this  month  before  Mr.  Juftice  Bulr 
ler,  at  Guildhall,  London,  in  which 
lord  Loughborough  was  plaintiff, 
and  John  Walter,  printer  of  the 
Univerfal  Regifter,  defendant,  for 
a  libel/  in  propagating  an*  infamous 
and  injurious  report,  highly  inju- 
rious to  the  honour  and  character  of 
the  plaintiff.  The  fa&s  being 
fully  proved,  the  jury  gave  a  ver- 
dict for  the  plaintiff,  with  ijo]. 
damages. 

Died.  Feb.  ad,  in  the  evening, 
at  his  houfe  in  Parliament-ftreet, 
in  the  fifty-firft  year  of  his  age, 
John  Jebb,  M.  p.  F.  R.  S.  former- 
ly fellow  of  St.  Peter's  college,  Cam? 
bridge,  and  afterwards  rector  of 
Homersfield,  and  vicar  of  Flixton, 
in  Suffolk,  which  he  refigned  in 
i775>  becaufe  he  could  no  longer 
conform  to  the  worfhip  of  die 
Church  of  England,  for  the  reafons 
which  he  pubHftied  at  the  time. 


APRIL. 

Letters  from  Catflebar  give  an 

authentic  account  of  one  of  the  mod 

{hocking 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


e  HR  ON  ICLE. 


[*99 


ftrocking  murders  ever  .committed. 
A  difference  had  for  fome  time  fub- 
frfted  between  G.  R.  Fitzgerald  and 
Partrck  Randal  M'DonaM,  Efqrs. 
Mr.  M'Donald  kept  much  on  his 
guard,  as  he  received  many  infor- 
mations, that  feveral  parties  of  Fitz- 
gerald's men  were  looking  out  for 
him,  with  an  avowed  determination 
to  deftroy  him.  In  the  evening  of 
the  aoth  of  Feb.  laft  Mr.  JV^'Donald 
went  for  the  greater  fecurity  to  the 
houfe  of  Mr.  Martin,  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Caftlebar,  in  company 
with  Mr.  Gallagher  and  another 
gentleman.  They  had  been  there 
but  a  very  few  minutes,  when  the 
houfe  was  furrounded  by  a  large 
party  of  armed  men,  who  inftandy 
broke  in,  bound  Mr.  M'Donala, 
*Mr.  Gallagher,  and  the  other  gen- 
tleman; and  immediately  carried 
them  off  to  the  houfe  pf  Rockfleld, 
where  Fitzgerald  3s  it  is  faid  then 
was.  After  a  fliort  ftay  an  armed 
party  led  out  the  unfortunate  gen- 
tlemen into  the  park.  In  a  few 
feconds  a  platoon  was  fired,  and  laid 
one  of  the  devoted  yi&ims  dead  on 
the  fpot.  Mr.  M'Donald  and  JMr. 
Gallagher  were  ordered  to  go  about. 
50  yards  farther,  when  a  fecond 
platoon  Was  fired.  Mr.  M'Donald 
inftantly  fell  .dead,  upwards  of  50 
ilugs  paffing  into  his  body.  Mr. 
Gallagher  received  alfo  feveral 
Hugs,,  but,  as  Providence  would 
have  it,  he  was  not  mortally  wound- 
ed, However,  lie  thought  it  pru- 
dent, after  daggering  a  few  yards, 
to  fall  and  appear  motionlefs,  in 
order  to  deceive  the  murderers.  In 
this  wounded  ftate  they  brought  him 
back  to  -  Fitzgerald's  houfe,  where 
they  had  returned  but  a  few  mi- 
nutes, when  the  houfe  was  furround- 
ed by  the  army  from  Cajftlebar,  ma- 
jp y  pf  the  volunteers,   gentlemen, 


and  crowds  of  people  from  that  town 
and  neighbourhood.  They  fpeedily 
got  into  the  houfe,  delivered  Mr. 
Gallagher  in  a  moft  critioal  mo- 
ment, feized  feveral  of  the  murder- 
ers, and  after  a  very  ftricT:  and  long 
fearch  found  Fitzgerald  locked  up 
in  a  large  cheft,  and  hid  under  two 
blankets.  He  and  feveral  of  his 
people  were  immediately  conduded 
to  Caftlebar,  and  fafely  lodged  in 
the  gaol,  which  has  been  continually* 
guarded  both  by  the  army  and  vo- 
lunteers, to  prevent  any  poffibility 
of  anefcape. 

Cajilebar,  April  13.  Mr.  Fitzge- 
rald was  brought  upon  a  bed  into 
court,  when,  upon  affidavit  dating 
his  ill  health,  &c.  the  trial  was  post- 
poned until  Friday  the  18th  of  this 
month. 

(  At  Godftone,  in  Surrey,  a  murder 
was  lately  committed,  attended  with 
circumrtances  of  the  moft  vindictive 
barbarity.  JVn  impoflor,  under  pre- 
tence pf  being  a  cripple,  had  long 
been  a  charge  upon  the  parifh  5  but 
being  detected  by  Mr.  Burt,  a  fur* 
geon  of  that  town,  the  villain  vowed 
revenge  j  and,  onthe  1,3  th  inftant, 
feized  the  opportunity  to  put  his  di- 
abolical purpofe  in  execution.  He  ' 
had  on  that  day,  as  ufual,  taken  his 
Hand  upon  the  road  to  beg  alms, 
fupported  by  crutches  j  and,  on  Mr.  , 
Burt's  paffing  from  his  own  houfe  to 
the  poor-houfe,  accompanied  by  his 
fon,  a  lad  abou^  ten  years  of  age,  , 
after  exclaiming,  «  There  goes 
"  that  rafcal  Burt,"  he  threw  a  bill 
at  his  legs,  which  fortunately  miffed 
them,  and  then  purfuing,  and  pre- 
sently overtaking  him,  by  a  blow 
from  his  crutch  brought  him  ,to  the 
ground  5  this  was^  followed  by  a  re- 
petition of  blows  upon  the  head  with 
his  hand-bill,  till  he  actually  buried 
the  bill  in  Mr.  Burt's  ikull.  Mr. 
[N]+  Burt* 


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*6o]      ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786. 


Burt's  hand  was  fevered  from  the 
arm  in  endeavouring  td  fave  his 
bead,  and  a  thumb  was  afterwards 
found  at  forae  diftance,  which  had 
been  chopt  off,  and  had  fprung  from 
the  hand  by  the  force  with  which  the 
blows  had  been  directed.  At  this 
horrible  moment,  the  little  boy, 
feizing  the  murderer's  crutch,  ftruck 
bim  fuch  a  blow  as  to  ftagger  him  3 
bnt,  fearing  his  fa therV  fate,  ran  to 
call  aflSftance;  and  in  the.  mean 
while  the  villain  made  off;  but  was 
ibon  after  found  hid  in  a  copfe.  On 
his  being  feized,  he  lamented  that 
the  overfeers  had  efcaped  his  ven- 
geance. Had  he  done  for  them,  he 
Siould  have  died  contented.  What 
be  was  not  able  to  effect,  his  wife 
has  threatened  to  perpetrate,  if  her 
hufband  is  hurt. 
/,  At  the  aflizes  held  at  Kingfton, 

'before  Mr.  Juftice  Gould,  was 
decided  the  great  caufe  which  held 
three  days,  brought  -by  way  of  in- 
di&ment,  at  the  fuit  of  the  corpo- 
ration of  London,  as  confervators 
,  cff  the  river  Thames,  againft  Mr. 
Watfon,  a  fhipwright  and  wharfin- 
ger at  Rotherhithe,  for  obftru&ing 
the  navigation  of  the  faid  river,  by 
creeping  a  floating-dock.  The  jury, 
after  five  hours  deliberation,  found 
the  defendant  guilty. 

,  Came  on  the  election  of  a  go- 
*  'vernor  and  deputy  governor  of 
the  bank  of  England  for  the  year 
eufuing,  when  George  Peters,  Efq. 
was  chofen  governor,  and  Edward 
Darell,  Efq.  deputy  governor. 

And  on  Wednesday  came  oh  the 
jelection  0/  24  directors,  when  the 
following  gentlemen  were  chofen  : 

Samuel  Beachcroft,  Efq.  Dkniet 
Booth,  Efq.  T.  Boddington,  Efq. 
Roger  Boehm,  Efq.  Samuel  Bofan- 
«met,  Efq.  Lyde  Browne,  Efq.  Rich- 
ard Clay,  Efq.  William  Cooke,  Efq. 
*gncl  Coney,  Efq.   Thomas  Dea, 


Efq.  William  Ewer,    Efij.    Petet' 

Gauffen,  Efq.  Daniel  Giles,  Efq. 
John  Harrifon,  Efq.  T.  Scott  Jack-' 
fon,  Efq.  Richard  Neave,  Efq.  Ed- 
ward Payne,  Efq.  Chriftopher  Pul- 
ler, Efq.  Thomas  R^ikes,  Efq.  Godf, 
Thornton,  Efq,  Samuel  Thornton \ 
Efq.  Mark  Wey land,  Efq.  Benjamin 
Winthrop,  Efq.  Benjamin  Whit- 
more,  jun.  Efq. 

Mr.  Burke  prefented,  in  the  rooft 
fotemn  manner,  nine  articles  of  im* 
peach ment  agai nft  Warren  Hafti  ngs, 
late  Gov.  G$u.  of  Bengal,  which 
were  ordered  to  be  printed,  and  ta- 
ken into  confideration  on  the  26th 
infant. 

The  Court  Of  Directors  of  the.  ^ , 
India  Company  made  the  fol-  \  ' 
lowing  arrangement  of  their  fervantf 
at  Bengal  and  Madras  in  confequencc 
of  the  new  India  bill  having  re- 
ceived the  royal  affent,  viz.  Earl 
Cornwallis  is  appointed  governor- 
general  and  commander  in  chief; 
Gen.  Sloper  recalled,  and  to  receive 
ah  annuity  of  1500I.  a  year  for  life  $ 
the  Bengal  council  to  confift  of  Earl 
Cornwallis,  Meff.  Macpherfon,  Sta- 
bles, and  Stuart ;  and  Mr.  John 
Shore  to  fucceed  to  the  firft  vacancy 
in  the  fupreme  council ;  the  fyftent 
of  uniting  the  chief,  civil,  and  mi- 
litary authority  to  take  place  at  each 
presidency  j  of  courfe,  Governor  Sir 
Archibald  Campbell  is  appointed 
governor  and  commander  in  chief 
at  Madras  $  Gen.  Dalling  alfo  re- 
called, with  an  annuity  of  ioool.  a 
year  for  life.  The  Madras  council 
to  confift  of  Sir  Archibald  Camp- 
bell, Mefff  Daniel,  Davidfon,  and^ 
Caffamajor. 

Came  on  the  ballot  for  fix  Di-  .. 
rectors  of  the  Eaft-India  Com-  Isin- 
pany,  at  the  clofe  of  which  the  num- 
bers were,  for  Jofeph  Spar kes,,  Efq  * 
755;  Richard  Hall,  Efq.  754* 
William  Benfley,  Efq.  746 $  Johi* 
Hunter, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHRONICLE, 


[sot 


H«fcter,  Efq.  6485  John  Smith, 
Efq.  647;  John  Tra vers,  Efq.  6285 
George  Tatero,  Efq.  444;  John 
Lewis,  Efq.  417  :  whereupon  the 
firft  fix  were  declared  duly  elected. 

The  Court  of  Directors  granted 
an  annuity  of  1500I.  per  annum  to 
Lord  Macartney,  as  a  consideration 
for  the  unexampled  integrity  and 
ability  difplayed  by  that  nobleman 
during  his  administration  at  Fort  St. 
George.  * 

^  The  Norrifian  prize  for  1786 
5  '  was  afiigned  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Pearfon,  A.  M.  Fellow  of  Sydney 
college,  for  his  EfTay  on  the  Good- 
nefs  of  God,  as  manifefted  in  the 
rniflion  of  Jefus  Chrift. 

i*7th  ^  ^^P8^  ^x  m  *ne  even- 
'  *  ing ,  the  well  tower  of  Hereford 
cathedral,  erected  with  the  nave,  in 
the  reign  of  William  Rufus,  by  Ro- 
bert de  Lozinga,  the  fecond  biihop 
of  that  fee,  unfortunately  fell  down, 
This  accident  had  been  expected 
fome  days,  from  the  gradual  drop- 
ping of  mortar  and  fmall  ftones  from 
it,  and  from  the-fettling  of  the  walls 
and  arches  from  their  perpendicular 
for  two  or  three-  years  before,  to 
which  very  little  attention  had  been 
paid,  or  the  affiftance  given  by  fil- 
ling up  arches  of  the  nave  been  in- 
effectual. Fortunately  no  lives  were 
loft,  though  numbers  of  people  were 
walking  in  the  church-yard.  This 
front  was  one  of  our  fineft  remains 
of  Norman  architecture. 

Died.  At  his  feat  in  the  New 
Foreft,  Hants,  Charles  Studwick, 
Efq.  aged  101.  He  acquire^  a  con- 
fiderable  fortune  in  being  an  agent 
for  prifoners  in  the  wars  of  Q.  Anne 
and  Geo.  I. 

At  Scarborough,  in  her  106th 
year,  Mrs.  Hunter,  who  retained 
her  faculties  to  the  laft.  An  hour 
before  die  expired,  fbe  defired  her 
maiden  name  (Noel)  might  be  put 


upon  her  tomb-ftone,  being  a  de-  , 
fcendant  of  that  family,  alfo  third 
coufin  to  the  prefent  Duke  of  Rut- 
land, and  third  coufin  to  the  Earl  of 
Gainfborough.  * 


MAY. 

'  On  the  i  ith  of  laft  month  [  Aprjrf 
Blanchard  performed  his  27th  aerial 
excursion..  He  took  his  departure 
from  Doway  in  Flanders,  an4  de- 
fcended  near  l'Etoile,  a  village  in 
Picardy,  a  voyage  of  90  miles  (as 
the  papers  fay)  in  as  many  minutes* 

The  ancient  and  honourable  « 
fociety  of  Free  and  Accepted  Ma-  ^ 
fons  held  their  anniversary  feaft  at 
their  elegant  hall  in  Great  Queen- 
ftreet,  when  hisjloyal  HighnefS  ther 
Duke  of  Cumberland  was  unani^ 
moufly  re-elected  grand  mafter  of* 
the  fociety ;  and  the  earl  of  Effing- 
ham acting  grand  mafter ;  Rowland 
Holt,  efq.  deputy  grand  mafter;  Sir 
Nich.  Nugent,  bart.  and  N.  Newn— 
ham,  efq.  alderman,  grand  wardens; 
James  Hefeltinei  efq.  grand  trearu- 
rer  %  Mr.  Wm,  White,  grand  fecre-^ 
tary$  Rev.  A.  H.  Eccles,  grand 
chaplain;  and  Mr.  John  Baibaj 
grand  f word-bearer. 

Lord  Geo.  Gordon  was  ex-      ., 
communicated  from  the  parifh  ^    * 
church  of  St.  Mary  le-bonne; 

The  eel  ebrated  caufe  between  . . 
Mifs  Melliih  and  Mifs  Rankin IlttL 
was  re-heard  before  lord  Loughbo<* 
rough,  in  the  court  of  common  pleas, 
when,  after  a  trial  of  eleven  hours, 
the  jury  brought  in  a  verdict  fof 
Mifs  Rankin. 

The  Rodney  Indiaman  brought 
the  following  account  of  the  lofs  of 
the  Montague  Indiaman,  written 
by  Mr.  James  Elliot,  who  belonged 
to  that  unfortunate  fhip. 

w  December 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


202]"    ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786.. 


Y 


4t  December  6,  1785,  As  we  lay 
at  Diamond  Point,  about  feventy 
miles  below  Calcutta,  we  bad  taken 
104100  bags  of  falt-petre,  and  were 
ftowing  them ;  the  caulker's  mate 
was  going  to  heat  pitch  upon  the 
upper  deck  to  pay  his  work :  he 
called  down  the  fore  hatch-way  to 
the  gunner's  boy,  to  hand  him  up 
fome  fire,  upon  a  fmall  fhovel  of 
the  armourer's,  to  make  a  fire  in 
the  forge,  to  hejat  his  pitch  ;  the 
boy  handing  the  fire  up  the  fore- 
hatchway  (the  fore-hatches  being 
unlaid)  let  a  piece  of  the  fire  fall 
down  upon  the  falt-petre  (one  of 
the  bags  having  burft)  $  there  was 
loofe  falt-petre  in  the  fijuare  of  the 
hatchway, which  immediately  caught 
fire.  We  attempted  to  fmother  it ; 
but  the  flames  increafed  fo  fall,  that 
we  could  not  ltay  above  three  mi- 
nutes in  the  hold  after  fhe  firft  took 
fire.  Mr.  Benger,  the  chief  officer, 
came  down  into  the  hold,  but  was 
forced  to  go  up  again  immediately. 
Our  cutter  and  yawl  were  hauled 
on  fhore,  and  the  long-boat  was 
aground  in  Diamond  Creek.  I  came 
out  of  the  hold  with  the  chief  officer, 
and  went  into  the  fiern-gailery  to 
look  for  a  boat.  The  third  officer 
was  then  almofl  along-fide  the  Dut* 
ton,  with  fome  men  in  the  jolly- 
boat.  Perceiving  there  was  no  af- 
fiftance  near,  I  left  Mr.  Benger  in 
the  flern-gallery,  and  got  out  of 
one  of  the  quarter-ports  into  the 
mlzen-chain,  and  jumped  over- 
board ;  when  I  fwam  under  the 
fiern,  Mr.  Benger  was  hanging  by 
a  rope,  which  he  quitted,  and  im- 
mediately the  fhip  blew  up.  I  ne- 
ver faw  any  more  of  Mr.  Benger, 
Mr.  Williams,  the  third  officer,  pick- 
ed me  up  in  the  jolly-boat,  with  a 
great  many  more.  I  was  not  above 
twenty  yards  from  the  fhip  when 
fhe  blew  up.    From  the  firit  of  her 


taking  fire  till  her  explofion,  dU 
not  exceed  five  minutes.  We  loft 
Mr.  Benger,  khe  chief  officer ;  Mr. 
M'Intofh,  the  fifth  officer;  Mr. 
Sarapfon,  furgeon's  mate;  Mr. 
Wier,  Mr.  Vincent  Williams,  Mr. 
Collins  j  Mr  Chamberland,  mid- 
fhipman ;  Mr.  Sangfter,  gunner ; 
and  twenty-five  forematl  men." 

Was  held  the  anniverfary  «.» 
meeting  of  the  Sons  of  the 
Clergy,  at  which  were  prefent  the 
lord  mayor  of  London,  the  two  arch- 
biihops,  twelve  bifhops,  feveral 
peers  and  gentlemen  of  diftinclion, 
(amongft  them  lord  Monboddo 
and  Sir  J.  Reynolds)  with  many- 
dignified  and  other  clergy.  The 
fermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Homey,  LL.D.  archdea- 
con of  St.  Alban's,  from  Deut.  xvt 
12. 

The  collection  at  the 
Rehearfal  on  Tuefday 
was  -  201    9  o 

At  St  Paul's  on 
Thurfday  -  -     209     8  f 

At  Merchant  Taylor's 
Hall         -         t         r    568  11  7 

Total  £.976    8     7" 

Died.  Lately,  in  Fionia,.  aged 
114  years,  Chriftian  Soufhen.  In 
his  youth  he  was  in  the  fervice,  and 
prefent  at  the  battles  of  Gade- 
bufche,  Wifmar,  Strailfund,  and  at 
Tendern,  where  the  celebrated  Gen# 
Steenborch  was  taken  prifoner. 


JUNE. 

On  the  31  ft  of  May  the  par-  *» 
liament  of  Paris  publifhed  an  x  * 
arret  relative  to  the  famous  affair 
of  the  necklace,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  the  fubftance,  viz.  the 
word  afprowve>  and  the  fignature 
"  Maria 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHRONICLE. 


[208 


^  Marie  Antoinette  de  France," 
were  fraudulently  ufed  in  the  bar- 
gain which  took  place  relative  to 
the  diamonds,  and  thofe  words  are 
falfely  attributed  to  the  queen. 
The  comte  de  la  Motte  is  fully 
convicted  of  contempt  of  court,  and 
condemned,  when  taken,  to  be 
whipped,  and  marked  with  the  let- 
ters GAL,  and  to  be  fent  to  the 
galleys  for  life.  Madame  Jeanne 
Valois  de  la  Motte  to  be  .whipped, 
and  marked  with  the  letter  V  upon 
the  two  moulders,  with  a  halter 
round  the  neck,  and  confined  for 
life  in  the  Salpetrierre.  Villette  is 
condemned  to  perpetual  banishment 
from  the  kingdom.  The  cardinal 
de  Rohan,  and  M.  de  Caglioftra, 
are  difcharged  from  all  accufation ; 
and  Mademoifelle  Oliva  difmifled 
the  court. 

Oxford.  The  chancellor's  prizes 
for  the  prefent  year  are  feverally 
adjudged  to  Mr.  Abbot,  A.  B.  of 
Corpus  Chrifti  College,  for  an  Eng- 
tt&  eflay  on  the  "  ufe  and  abufe 
of  fatire :"  and  to  Mr.  Le  Breton 
of  Pembroke,  for  Latin  verfe  on 
4<  painted  glafs." 

Yefterday  the  grand  mufical  fef- 
tival  commenced  at  Weftminfter 
Abbey  with  a  mifcellaneous  felec- 
tion  of  fome  of  the  beft  works  of 
^Handel.  By  ten  o'clock  the  aile 
and  galleries  were  filled  with  a 
company  the  moft  numerous  and 
elegant  that  ever  were  afiembled 
on  a  fimilar  occafion,  which,  with 
the.  prefence  of  the  Royal  Family 
and  their  attendants,  and  an  or- 
cheftra  confiding  of  640  muficians, 
formed  a  coup  d'ceil,  the  effect  of 
which  it  is  impoflible  to  defcribe. 
The  difpofition  of  the  church  was 
moft  beautifully  conceived  in  the 
manner  of  a  grand  faloon,  with  two 
rifing  galleries.  The  nave  of  the 
jchurch  contained  the  platform,,  and 


the  two  ailes  formed  one  gallery, 
which  was  continued  in  one  ranged 
under  the  king's  box  to  either  fide. 
The  fronts  were  hung  in  feftoons 
with  rich  crimfon  filk  furniture. 
That  part  which  forms  the  front 
was  variegated  with  white  fatin. 
The  difpofition  of  the  king's  box 
was  the  fame  as  la  ft  year. 

A    duel    was  fought   near  «  • 
Kenfington,  between  lord  Ma- 
cartney and  major-general   Stuart, 
of  which  the  following  is  an  authen- 
tic account : 

"  The  place  and  time  of  meet- 
ing having  been  previoufly  fixed, 
the  parties  arrived  about  half  paft 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
took  their  ground  at  the  diftance  of 
twelve  fhort  paces,  meafured  off  by 
the  feconds,  who  delivered  to  each 
onepiftol,  keeping  pofleflion  of  the 
remaining  arms.  General  Stuart 
told  lord  Macartney,  he  doubted, 
as  his  lordfliip  was  fliort-fighted,  he 
would  not  be  able  to  fee  him  ;  his 
lordfliip  replied,  "  he  did,  perfectly 
well."  When  the  feconds  had  re* 
tired  a  little  on  one  fide,  and  as 
the  parties  were  about  to  level, 
general  Stuart  obferved  to  lord 
Macartneys  that  his  piftol  was  not 
cocked  j  his  lordfliip  thanked  him, 
and  cocked.  When  they  had  level- 
led, general  Stuart  faid,  he  was 
ready  j  his  lordfliip  anfwered,  he 
was  likewife  ready  $  and  they  both 
fired  within  a  few  in  ft  ants  of  each 
other.  The  feconds,  obferving  lord 
Macartney  wounded,  ftepped  up  to 
him,  and  declared  the  matter  muft 
reft  here:  General  Stuart  faid, 
"  this  is  no  fatisfa&ion  $"  and  afked 
if  his  lordfliip  was  npt  able  to  fire 
another  piftol;  his  lordfliip  replied, 
"  he  would  try  with  pleafure,"  and 
urged  colonel  Fullarton  to  permit 
him  to  proceed.  The  feconds,  how- 
ever,  declared  ,  it    was  impoflible, 

~    an«J 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


«04l      ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


and  they  would  on  no  account  allow* 
it.  General  Stuart  faid,  "Then  I 
muft  defer  it  till  another  occahon  !'* 
en  which  his  Lordfhip  anfwered, 
*•  If  that  is  the  cafe,  we  had  better 
proceed  now.  I  am  here  in  conie- 
quence  of  a  meflage  from  General 
Stuart,  who  called  upon  me  to  give 
him  fatbfa&ion  in  my  private  ca- 
pacity for  offence  taken  at  my  pub- 
lic conduct  ?  and,  to  evince  that 
perfonal  fafety  is  no  confideration 
with  me,  I  have  nothing  perfonal : 
the  general  may  proceed  as  he 
thinks  fit."  General  Stuart,  faid, 
**  It  was  his  lordfhjp's  perfonal  con- 
duct to  him  that  be  refented^*  The 
Jecoixfe  then  put  an  end  to  all  fur- 
ther converfation  between  the  par- 
ties, neither  of  whom  had  quitted 
their  ground;  General  Stuart,  in 
confequence  of  his  fituatlon,  having 
!>een  under  the  neeelfity  -from  the 
firft  of  putting  his  back  to  a  tree. 

The  furgeons,  Mr.  Hunter  and 
Mr.  Home,  and  who  were  attend- 
ing at  a  little  diftance,  were  brought 
trp  by  colonel  Fullarton.  Colonel 
Ctordon,  in  the  mean  time,  aflifted 
his  lordfhip  in  taking  off  his  coat, 
and  requeued  him  to  fit  doww,  ap* 
"prehendinghemightbe faint  through 
lofs  of  blood.  Colonel  Gordon  then 
left  the  ground,  in  company  with 
general  Stuart  5  and  an  eafy  car- 
riage was  provided  to  convey  his 
lordfhip  home. 

Signed,  '  W.  Fullarton, 
A.  Gqrdon." 
lath  Came  on  to  be  tried  be- 
?  '  'Yore  lord  Loughborough,  in 
the  court  of  Common  Pleas,  the  ac- 
tion brought  by  the  right  honour- 
able Charles  James  Fox,  againfl 
Thomas-  Corbett,  efq.  high  bailiff 
«f  Weftminfter,  for  pot  returning 
feim  as  a  reprefentative  for  Weft- 
toMwfter,  when  duly  eiefted  by  a  le- 


gal majority  of  votes';  the  damaged 
were  laid  at  roo,oool.  and  the  jury* 
after  a  few  minutes-'  confutation* 
gave  a  verdict  of  2000I.  darftages. 

This  fum,  Mr.  Fox  has  declared, 
fhail  be  diftributed  among  the  eha*- 
rities  of  Weftminfter. 

On  the  aift  of  June  the  fenteno© 
on  Madame  de  la  Motte  was  car- 
ried into  execution.  At  a  quarter 
after  fix  in  the  morning,  one  of  the 
turnkeys  of  the  prifon  went  up  to 
her  fleeping  apartment,  and,  with* 
out  any  apology  for  difturbing  her 
at  that  early  hour,  told  her,  in  a 
brutal  manner,  to  "rife  and  follow 
him."  The  affrighted  lady  refufed 
to  obey ;  but  when  fhe  was  fhewn 
a  royal  mandate,  fhe,  though  reluc- 
tantly, followed  the  turnkey,  and  was 
by  him  conducted  to  the  inner  gate-. 
She  no  fooner  defcended  the  laft  ftep 
,  of  the  Hairs,  than  fhe  was  feized  on 
by  two  fatellites  of  the  law,  by 
them  hand-eufied,  and  inexorably 
embraced.  When  the  covin teft  at£ 
peared  before  the  Greffier,  and  wtl 
fentence  was  read  to  her,  it  threw 
her  into  the  moft  frantic  rage ;  fhe 
uttered  calumnious  and  unheardrof 
imprecations  againft  the  court,  th# 
parliament,  and  the  cardinal;  but 
this  fame  great  fpirifc  deferted  her 
when  me  felt  the  hangman  jmtting 
the  rope  about  her  neck ;  fne  was 
at  that  inftant  feen  in  tears/  Tht 
mftruments  for  her  further  punifh* 
ment,  the  brand,  fome  other  tools, 
and  a  red  hot  fire,  called  up  all  her 
former  rage :  fhe  then  curfed  and 
fwore  in  the  moft  unwoman-like 
manner,  and  uttered  alternate  crie* 
of  grief  and  defpair.  It  was  with* 
difficulty  that  the  hot  iron  could  be 
applied  to  her  fhoulder;  the  exe- 
cutioner muft  have  been  an  adept, 
to  have  focceeded  in  that  part  of 
his  prpfeifion.    She  rolled  fcerfetf 


J 


,  Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHRONIC  L  E. 


t«fc 


mi  the^gronnd,  *itd  kicked  at  hitn 
vith  fuch  violence,  that  fomeftrength 
was  required  to  perform  the  igno- 
minious- operation.  The  vyery  in* 
itent  <the  execution  was  over,,  fhe 
was  'cbndu&efl  to  the  Salpetrierrej 
where  flie  is  deftined  to  fpend  the 
.remainder  of  her  days.  All  Paris 
ts  incensfed  at  the  barbarous  con- 
du&of  the  magiftrates  who  presided 
at '  ^he  execution  of  Madame  de  la 
Mottej  their  inhumanity  reflets 
the  greateft  dHhonour  on  them.  The 
unhappy  comtefle  was  burnt  in  three 
places,  through  the  inattention  of 
thefe  guardians  of  our  laws !  **-<She  is 
now  dangeroufly  ill  in  the  infirmary 
of  the  Saltpetrierrej  a  burning  fever 
deprives  her  of  her  reafon  5  and  in 
<he  .height  of  her  delirium  me  uttew 
4he  mod  out4of-the-way  impreca- 
tions. The  fuperior  of  the  houfe 
treats  her  with  all  podEble  hu- 
manity, 

,  A  ^rery  intereiling  caufe 
4%  >  was  determined  in  the  cock- 
ffKtby  an  appeal  to  the  lords  of  the 
•council  from  the  court  of  admiralty. 
■The  queftion  related  to  the  prize,  or 
capture,  made  by  Commodore  John- 
Ikone  (aft  war.  It  was,  Whether  the 
rapture  was  prize  or  booty ;  and 
then,  consequently,  whether  the  pro> 
petty  then  taken  by  the  fleet  and 
land  forces  under  his  command 
tame  within  the  prize  a&.  As  the 
<teftination  of  the  armament  was 
»gainft  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope, 
<and  as  a  conliderable  land  force, 
•under  the  command  of  General 
J£eadows,  was  aboard,  and  fhared 
in  the  action,  their  lordfhips  deter- 
-mined  that  the  cafe  m  quettion  did 
-toot  come  within  theprize  ad.  The, 
<onfequence  is,  that  the  whole  pro- 
•perty  is  claimed  by  the  crown,  and 
ihe  captors  mud  relinquifti  their 
-fcojes  >of  prizeHoaoney,  ,and  depend 


<tti  the  royal  bounty  for  whatever 
compenfation  his  majefty  may  think 
.proper.    N 

Died.  Lately,  atWoolw&h,  aged 
105,  Ifabella  Dryden.  She  had  been 
twice  in  America  fince  ihe  was  85 
years  of  age,  and  retained  her  feme* 
to  the  day  of  her  death. 

At  Dunbar,  aged  114,  MaTgnu* 
-Reid.  He  was  born  at  Polmaife, 
•near  Stirling,  and  was  bred  a  huf- 
bandman,  near  Dunblain,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  profeffion  till  about 
ithlrty  years  ago,  when  he  com- 
•menced  travelling  chapman,  which 
-he  pra&ifed  till  within  eight  week* 
«f  his  death:        * 


JULY. 

-    An  a&km  of  trefpafs  was       -. 
lately  tried  in  the  court  of 
-King's  Bench,  by  which  the  right 
-of  following  hounds  in  purfuit  of 
■game,    by  qualified    peribns,    was 
-clearly,  alcertained . 

Came  on  before  the  lords  ,. 
commiflioners  of  appeals,  two  *  * 
caufes  againft  Lord  Jfcodney,  Gene- 
ral Vaughan,  and  the  other  captors 
-of  Euftatia.— Mr.  Limdo  and  Mr. 
-Ingram,  appellants— the  firft  to  the 
amount  of  about  1  a;oool,  the  latter 
ioooh  Upon  both  thefe  -  appeals 
the  captors  were  caft  in  damages, 
and  full  cofts.  The  lords  who  at- 
tended were^Camden,  Grantlcy,  and 
*Mulgrave.  , 

Aylett's  (the  attorney  con-  ^, 
vided  for  perjury)  writ  of  er-  * 
iror  was  folemnly  argued  before  th* 
Houfe  of  Lords.  There  were  nime 
-affignments  of  error,  all  which,  their 
lordfhips  were  pleafed  to  fet  afide 
by  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the 
judges  prefem\„  Eari  Bathutft  then. 

moved, 


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ac)6l      ANNUAL  REGISTER,  r786. 


k 


moved,  That  the  judgment  be  af- 
firmed.   Agreed. 

Berlin,  June  8.  The  king  has 
paCTed  fen  ten  ce  upon  a  counfellor 
of  the  regency,  which  makes  a  great 
Air  here.  Mr.  Glave,  counfellor  at 
JLonigfberg,  being  accufed  of  cor- 
ruption, his  majefty  charged  the 
.  prefident  of  the  chamber  of  that 
place  to  make  the  necefiary  judi- 
cial enquiries  into  the  affair,  and 
the  delinquent  was  condemned  to 
two  years  imprifonment  in  a  for- 
trefs ;  the  'counfellor,  not  fatisfied 
with  the  decifion*  made  another  ap- 
peal j  the  king,  after  a  mature  ex- 
amination, not  only  confirmed  the 
above  fentence,  but  ordered  that  the 
delinquent  ihould  work  at  the  bar- 
row during  the  two  yaars  of  his  im- 
prifonment. 

Vienna,  June  12.  The  emperor 
lias  fupprefled  the  chapters  of  Wig- 
threngen  and  Trelergen,  rn  Carin- 
thia  j  and  thofe  of  Lambrecht,  Neu- 
berg,  Stanz,  Croatman,  and  Pallau, 
in.  Styria.  The  convents  of  capu- 
chins, recollets,  and  dominicans, 
are  alfo  abolifhed. 

Ox/era,  July  29.  At  our  afiizes 
came  on  to  be  tried  before  Mr.  baron 
Eyre,  a  caufe  of  great  importance 
to  the  public  in  general,  on  a  ques- 
tion, Whether  a  farmer  who  occa- 
sionally dealt  in  horfes  was  fubjed 
to  the  bankrupt  laws,  as  a  trader  ? 
It  was  an  action  of  trover,  brought 
on  the  aflignees  of  John  Davis,  a 
farmer  of  Whitchurch,  in  this  coun- 
ty, againft  Mr.  John  Sherwood,  of 
Purley,  in  the  county  of  Berks,  to 
recover  back  249 1.  18  s.  which  he 
bad  received  under  an  execution 
levied  on  the  bankrupt's  erfe&s  5 
when  the  jury,  after  an  hour's  con- 
fultation,  brought  in  a  verdict  for 
the  plaintiffs,  whereby  they  efta- 
Wifhed  the  tradipg,  and  gave  the 


above  fum  in  damages,   together 
with  full  cofts  of  fuit. 

Gottingtn,  July  25.  The  three 
youngeft  princes  of  Great  Britain 
were  entered  of  this  univerfity  on 
the  6th  of  this  month,  each  of  them 
accompanied  by  a  governor,  a  pre-* 
ceptor,  and  a  gentleman  ;  their 
royal  highnefles  are  lodged  in  one 
houfe,  and  the  expence  of  their 
table  fixed  at  600  crowns  per  week, 
including  two  grand  inftitution  din- 
ners, to  which  the  fcrofeflbrs  and 
fome  fludents  are  invited.  Profef- 
rfor  Mayer  teaches  the  princes,  the 
German  language  5  Mr.  Heyne  in- 
itru&s  them  in  Latin ;  the  ecclefi- 
aftic  counfellor  Lefs  teaches  them 
religion  5  and  the  counfellor  Feder 
inflru&s  them  in  morality  5  thefe 
matters  are  rewarded  by  an  extraor*- 
dinary  appointment  of  1000  crowns 
per  annum  each* 

The  feffions  at  the  Old  ^ 
Bailey,  which  began  on  the 
19th,  ended, 'when  twelve  convffis 
received  fentence  of  death ;  arrwj 
whom  was  Samuel  Burt,  for  for- 
gery. This  man,  when  he  was 
afked,  what  he  had  to  fay  why  judg«? 
ment»to  die  ihould  not  be  paired, 
according  to  law  ?  addrerled  the 
court  as  follows :  "  My  lord,  I  am 
too  fenfible  of  the  crime  which-  I 
have  committed,  and  foT  which  I 
juflly  deferve  to  fuffer  5  my  life  I 
have  forfeited,  and  wifh  to  refign 
it  into  the  hands  of  Him  who  gave 
it  me.  To  give  my  reafons  for  this, 
would  only  fatisfy  an  idle  curiofity ; 
no  one  can  feel  a  more  fenfible, 
heartfelt  fatisfa&ion  in  the  hopes  of 
fhortly  paffing  intb  eternity  5  where- 
in, I  truft,  I  fhall  meet  with  great 
felicity.  I  have  not  the  leaft  defire 
to  live  5  and,  as  the  jury  and  the 
court  on  my  trial  thought  proper  to 
recommend  me  to  mercy,  if  his  ma-* 

jetty 


k 


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[207 


jefty  mould,  in  confequence  thereof , 
.grant  me  ajefpite,  I  here  vow,  in 
the  face,  of  Heaven,  that  I  will  put 
an  end  to  my  own  exiftence  as  foon 
as  I  can.  It  is  death  that  I  wlfh  for, 
becaufe  nothing  but  death  can  ex- 
tricate me  from  the  troubles  which 
my  follies  have  involved  me  in." 

DrED.  Lately,  at  Paris,  of  an 
apoplexy,  in  his  114th  year,  Jo- 
feph  Buller,  a  native  of  Savoy. 
He  ferved  feveral  years  under  prince 
Eugene,  and  had  worked  near  60 
years  on  the  quays  at  Paris.  The 
only  illnefs  he  ever  experienced  was 
a  diftemper  in  his  eyes,  oocaiioned 
by  a  fall  from  a  pile  of  wood  when 
about  50  years  of  age.  Jle  had 
lived  57  years  with  one  wife,  and 
renewed  *his  marriage  at  St.  E- , 
trenne  du  Mont.  He  followed  his 
.  buirnefs  to  the  age  of  103,  and 
'would  not  then  have  left  it  off, 
had  not  the  charitable  contributions 
railed  for  him  enabled  him  to  fub- 
£ft  without  it.  A  print  of  him  was 
^tblifhed  lbme  years  ago,  at  the 
bottom  of  which  it  is  faid,  that 
his  father  died  aged  133  years  10 
months. 

At  Ottery,  in  the  county  of  De- 
von, aged  119,  Mrs.  Heath.  This 
Jady  perfectly  recolle&ed  the  landing 
of  king  William  at  foxbdy. 


AUGUST. 

Dublin,  Auguft  i#.  On  the  21ft 
#f  July  the  lord  mayor,  JheriiF,  and 
commons  and  citizens  of  pujblin, 
ordered,  that  the  freedom  of  their 
city  be  granted  to  the  right  hon- 
ourable John  earl  of  Chatham,  and 
that  the  feme  be  prefpnted  to  the 
faid  earl  by  the  lord  mayor  and 
{tariffs;  and  tfee  fame  was  prefent- 


ed  accordingly,  and  thankfully  re- 
ceived. 

Cafel,  Auguft  8.  The  king  of 
Great  Britain,  fovereign  of  the  moft 
noble  order  of  the  Garter,  having 
been  pleafed  to  appoint  the  lord 
vifcount  Dairy mple,  his  majefty's 
envoy  extraordinary  and  plenipoten- 
tiary to  the  court  of  Berlin,  and  Sir 
Jfaac  Heard,  knight,  garter  principal 
at  arms,  plenipotentiary,  for  in- 
vefting  his  ferene  highnefs  the  Land- 
grave of  Heffe-CalTel  with  the  habit 
and  entigns  of  the  moft  noble  order 
of  the  Garter^  they  met  here  the 
5th  inftant. 

Kelfo,  Auguft  11.  About  two  this 
morning  a  fhock  of  an  earthquake 
was  felt  here  $  its  motion  was  from 
weft  to  eaft.  The  motion  was  iuo- 
ceeded  by  a  noife  as  if  the  tiles  had 
been  tumbling  from  the  roof. 

Cockermoutb,  Auguft  n„  About 
five  minutes  Ijefope  two  this  morn- 
ing we  had  a  lmart  mock  of  an  earthr  ' 
quake,  which  continued  three  or 
four  feconds,' attended  with  a  noife 
as  if  a  well-packed  hogfhead  had 
been  thrown  with  violence  on  a 
boarded  floor.  The  firings  of  s 
fpinnet  were  heard  to  vibrate ;  others 
thought  thieves  had  broken  in. 

Whiteb/rven9  Auguft  n  m  A  few 
minutes  before  two  this  morning 
the  fhock  of  an  earthquake  was  very 
fenfibly  felt  in  this  town  and  neigh- 
bourhood ;  its  continuance  from 
three  to  five  feconds.  The '  baro- 
meter at  twenty-nine  degrees,  tl*e 
weather  clofe  and  fultry.  itg  di- 
rection fuppofed  from  fouth  to  eaft,, 
accompanied  with  a  rumbling  noife* 
in  the  air.  There  was  not  fufficient 
light  to  make  farther  'obferyations : 
the  confirmation  it  caufed  was  in- 
expremble.  A  chimney  was  thrown 
down  in  Tangren-ftreet  -,  three  peo- 
ple, in  different  pa#$  of  the  $own, 

wer$ 


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*>8]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


were  thrown  off  their  feet,  and  ode 
confiderably  hurt. 

1 6th'  ***s  maJe^y/>  tne  queen* 
and  their  royal  highnefles 
the  princefs  royal,  princefs  Augufta, . 
and  princefs  Elizabeth,  fet  out  from 
.Earl  Harcourt's  feat  at  Nuneham 
Court,  after  divine  fervice  on  Sun- 
day morning  laft,  and  arrived  at 
the  Eaftern  gate  of  the  public  fchools 
at  Oxford  lbqn  after  one  o'clock. 
They  were  conducted  through  the 
Divinity  School  to  the  Sheldonian 
Theatre,  where  their  majefties,  and 
the  princefles  being  feated,  the  vice-- 
chancellor prefented  an  addrefs  from 
himfelf,  and  the  matters  and  fcho- 
lars  of  the  univerfity,  which  his 
majefty  was* pleafed  to  receive  very 
gracioufly,  and  to  return  a  moft 
gracious  anfwer. 

Their  majefties  from  thence  pro- 
ceeded to  vifit  the  chapel  at  New 
College,  the  colleges  of  Wadham, 
Trinity,  Lincoln,  and  Brazen  Nofe. 
They   then   went    to   the   Council 
Chamber,   where   an    addrefs  was 
prefented  from  the  mayor,  bailiffs, 
and  commonalty,    and    moft   gra- 
cioufly received  by  his  majefty,  who 
was  at   the   fame  time  pleafed  to 
confer  the  honour  of  knighthood  on 
Richard  Tawney,  efq.  fenior  alder- 
~  ~    '     "      Their 
then 
,  and 
even- 
er  fix 

ceffes 
a  be- 
Mon- 
Blen- 
velve, 
i  thi- 
food- 
:ce;v- 
3  and 


duchefs  of  Marlborough,  with  every 
mark  of  attention  and  refpec"fc.  After 
having  viewed  the  lioufe,  and  as 
much  of  the  park  as  the  time  would 
admit  of,  they  returned  to  Nuneham 
about  eight  o'clock. 

On  Tuefday  morning,  at  Nune- 
ham, his  majefty  was  pleafed  to 
confer  the  honour  of  knighthood  on 
Charles  Neurfe,  efq.  of  Oxford  51  and 
an  addrefs  was  there  prefented  to  fh* 
king  from  the  gentlemen,  clergy, 
and  other  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Witney,  and  its  neighbourhood, 
which  his  majefty  was  pleafed  to 
receive  very  gracioufly. 

Their  majefties  and  the  princefles 
left  Nuneham  a  little  after  one 
o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Windfor  a 
little  before  fix  o'clock  on  Tueiday 
evening. 

Died.  Lately,  at  Smalley,  Mary 
'Bailey>  aged  106. 


SEPTEMBER. 

Oxford,  Sept.  16.  On  Tuefday 
evening  arrived  here  the  archduke 
%and  archduchefs  of  Auftria,  under 
the  titles  of  count  and  countefs  of 
Nellembourg ;  prince  Charles  Al- 
bani,  firft  coufin  to  the  arcnduchefs  $ 
and  his  confort ;  prince  Rezzonico, 
fenator  of  Rome  5  count  Soderini, 
the  Venetian  refident,  prince  Lich- 
tenftein;  and  count  Rezviefki,  the 
Imperial  ambaffador.  Thefe  illuf- 
trious  vifitors,  with  their  fuite,  were 
next  morning  conducted  to.feveral 
of  the  public  buildings  and  colleges  j 
and  on  Wednefday  went  to  Blen- 
heim, the  magnificent  feat  of  the 
duke  of  Marlborough.  On  Thurf- 
day  they  made  the  tour  of  Stowe, 
the  feat  of  the  marquis  of  Bucking- 
ham )  and  early  yefterday  morning 
fet  out  for  Nuneham,  the  feat  of  the 

earl 


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CHRONICLE. 


earl  of  rtareourt.  Returning  about 
one  o'clock,  their  royal  highneffes 
Yifited  the  reft  of  the  colleges, 
©bfervatory,  &c. 

18th  *n  comP^nient  t0  *^e  ^rch- 
.  '  duke  of  Auftria,  his  majefty 
this  day  Commenced  the  hunting 
fport  on  Windfor-foreft.  He  was 
accompanied  by  his  highnefs  during 
the  chace. 

The  royal  obfequies  of  the  late 
king  of  Prutiia  were  performed  on  the 
oth  inftant  with  the  greateft  pomp. 
,  The  affluent  difplay  on  this  occa- 
fion  was  truly  aftonifhing.  The 
church  was  hung  in  all  parts  with 
paintings  reprefenting-,  ift,  the  con- 
dueft  of  Silefia.  .  2(&y,  The  war 
fcftained  by  his  late  majefty  againft 
fix  fovereigns,  from  1756  to  1763. 
3dly,  The  embelliihments  of  the 
towns,  and  the  cultivation  of  wafte, 
fends  throughout  the  Pruffian  do- 
minions. 4thly,  The  taking  pof* 
feffiQn  of  Weftern  Pruma.  Sthly, 
The  late  German  confederacy. — 
dthiy,  The  protection  granted  dur- 
ing the  late  reign  to  the  arts  and 
fciences.  Six  trophies  were  alfo 
erected  within  the  church,  on  which 
were  inferibed  the  names  of  the 
twelve  principal  batties  during  the 
life  .of  Frecleric  II.  viz.  Mollwitz, 
Czaflaw,Sorr,  Hohenfriedberg,  Kef- 
felsdorff, « Lowpzits,  -  Prague,  l(of- 
bach,  Leuiher,  Zorndorff,  Leignitz, 
and  Torgau.  The  whole  ceremony 
did  not  laft  above-  two  hours,  after 
which  a  dinner  of  60©  covers  was 
ferved  in  different  apartments*  On 
rifing  from  table,  his  majefty  retired' 
to  Sans  Souci,  and  in  the  evening 
to'  Charlottenburgfo  The  cham- 
berlains, general  Rohdich  and  Van--' 
der  Reck,  who  had  the  direction  of 
the  funeral  pomp,  were  each  pre- 
sented by  the  king  with  an  eUgant 
Vol.  XXVIII.      , 


[209 


gold  box,  richly  fet  with  brilliants, 
in  token  of  his  fatisfa&ion. 

On  Monday,  O&ober  a,  the  new 
monarch  received  the  homage  of  his 
fubjeasat  Berlin.  This  ceremony 
is  obferved  in  Prufiia  inftead  of  a  co- 
ronation, and  is  no  lefc  magnificent. 

Newcaftje  upon  ¥yne%  Sept.  20, 
1  Lunardi's  attempt  to  afcend  yeC* 
terday  from  the  Spital  ground  was. 
produ&ive  of  a  very  melancholy 
accident.  The  balloon  was  about 
one-third  full,  and  a  great  many 
gentlemen  were  holding  it  by  the 
netting,  when  Lunardi  went  to  pour 
into,  the  ciftern  the  reft  of  the  oil  of 
vitriol  deftined  for  the  puipofe. 
This  having  caufed  a  ftrong  efier- 
vefcence,  generated  inflammable  air 
with  fuch  rapidity,  that  fome  of  it 
efcaped  from  two  different  parts  of 
the  lower  end  of  the  apparatus,  and 
fpread  among  the  feet  of  feveral 
gentlemen  who  were  holding  tho 
balloon,  and  who  were  fo  alarmed, 
that  leaving  it  at  liberty,  they  ran 
from  the  ipot<  The  ballodn  now 
rofe  with  great  velocity,  carrying 
up  with  it  Mt.  Ralph  Heron,  a 
gentleman  of  this  town,  about  twen- 
ty*two-  years  of  age,  fon  of  Mr. 
Heron,  under-fheriff  of  Northum- 
berland. 

This  unhappy  vi&im  held  a  ftrong 
rope  which  wasfaftened  to  the  crown 
of  the  balloop,  twifted  about  his 
hand,  and  could  not  difengage  him- 
folf  when  the  other  gentlemen  fled  3 
he  was  of  courfe  elevated  about  the 
height  of  St.  Paul's  cupola,  when 
the  balloon  turned  downward,  the' 
crown  divided  from  it,  and  the  un- 
fortunate gentleman  fell  to  the 
ground. 

He  did  not  expire  immediately, 
having  fallen  upon  very  foft  ground  •, 
he  fpoka  for  fomc  tim*  to  Jus  un- 

1°)  happy 


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aio]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,  -i786. 


bnppy  parents,  and  to  the  fur|edns 
who  came  toaflift  him;  but  his  in- 
ternal veilels  being  broken,  he  died 
about  an  hour  and  •  half  after  the 
fill. 

8th  ^e  *a*ty  Catherine  Boc- 
cabadati ,  wife  of  tlie  marquis 
Senator"  Albergati  Capacelli,  aged 
3B  years,  ended  her  life  at  Bologfca 
in  the  moil  tragical  manner.  Hav* 
trig  had  a  difpute  at  dinner,  about 
sro  object  of  fmall  importance,  which 
ihe  defended  with  fonie  heat,  and 
being  con t radioed  by  »her  hufband, 
ihe  left  the  Toom,  taking  with  her 
a  child  of  eight  years  old,  with 
whom  1he  went  up  flairs,  and.  after 
tenderly  embracing  the  child,  ihe 
took  out  of  a  oafe  a  Venetian  dag- 
ger, which  ihe  inftantly  ran  into 
£er  body.  The  child  Immediately 
crying  out,  alarmed  the  family,  and 
the  marquis  running  up  flairs,  the 
enraged  lady,  with  redoubled  fury, 
on  feeeing  him,  plunged  the  dagger 
through  her  heart ;  by  which  fecond 
thruft  ilhe  inftantly  fell  dead  at  his 
feet. 

On  Wednefday,  Auguft  the  3d, 


oeeded  even  that  of  Nero  9  for 
when,  by  the  rigour  with  which  he 
had  exercifed  the  office  of  inquifitor, 
he  had  filled  the  gaols  throughout 
the  pope's  dominions  with  induf- 
fcrious  artificers  and -others,  on  flight 
pretences,  vnd  a  .motion'  was  made 
in  the  Vatican  for  an  acl;  of  grace, 
inftead  of  giving  that  motion  his 
fuffrage,  he  fent  an  exprefs  order 
to  the  feveral  gaolers  to  keep  their 
prrfoners  double^ironed,  left  an  es- 
cape mould  be  attempted.  He  was 
originally  a  Black-friar  5  but  for 
fbme  time  was  a  pleader  at  the  bar, 
and  raifed  to  the  purple,  to  the 
amazement  ,of  the  people,  by  a 
concatenation  of  crafty  and  iniqui- 
tous intrigues. 

This  day  Thomas  Sainf-         . 
bury,  *fq.  aldeuman  of.  Bil-    *&*: 
lingfgate   Ward,  was  ele&ed  lord, 
mayor  of  London  for  the  year  en- 
filing. 

,  Died.  Lately,  at  Paris,  M. 
Beaujon,  the  rich  financier,  the 
king's  banker,  &cu  faid  to  be  worth 
two  millions  fterling.      . 

At  his  houfe  in  lied-lion-  , 

fquare,  Jonas  Hanway,  efq.       ™ 
celebrated  for  his  numerous  acts  of 
humanity  and  benevolence. 


OCTOBER. 

Weft-JndUi.  About  the  begin*, 
ning  of  Auguft,  a\nofl  violent  florm 
laid  almofl  wafte  the  fouthern  cpaft 
Qf  Hifpaniola,  and  had  driven  out 
to  fea  all  tlie  fhipping  from  tho, 
port  of  St.  Euilatius,  and  deftroyed. 
mofl  of  the  finall  craft  in  that  har- 
hour. 

And  by  advices  from  Guadaloupe, . 

a  moil  terrible  iiurricane  deflreyed 

a^reat.pafft  of  the  plantations  on 

jtfcat 


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CHRONICLE. 


the  ifland,  and  three  fhips  that  lay 
in  the  harbour  were  totally  loft. 
This  hurricane  happened  on  .the 
loth  of  September,  and  it  is  feared 
has  done  a  great  deal  of  damage  on 
other  inlands. 

On  Saturday  the  ad  of  Septem- 
ber a  moft  alarming  hurricane  threw 
the  whofe  ifland  of  Barbados  into  the 
utmoft  conftcrnat  ion .  About  eleven 
at  night,  when  the  ftorm  was  at  its 
height,  a  ball  of  fire,  of  a  very  ter- 
rifying aad  luminous  appearance, 
was  obferved  in  the  S.  E.  hTuing 
from  a  dark  cloud,  and  fpreading 
its  diverging  rays  to  a  vafl  circum- 
,  fbrence^  and  continuing  with  un- 
abated fplendor  near  40  miajitg^ 
In  the  rnorning  of  the  3d,  Ca$fyl$* 
bay  exhibited  the  mod  (hocking  p«J-v 
tune  of  dcfolation  that  could  be  conr 
ceived,,  not  a  vefiel  having  rode  out 
the  ftorm.  And  in  the.cpuntry,  had 
the  hurricane  continued  a  little  lon- 
ger, it  is  jthought  that  univerlal  de- 
iblatiou  mull  have  enfued.  The 
buildings  on  many  eftates  have  fuf- 
fered,  and  great  damage  has  been 
done  to  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  plan- 
tane-walks,  corn,  cotton>  and  canes. 
The '  negro-houfes  are  moftly  blown 
down,  and  many  of  their  iqhabitants 
killed.  In  ihort,  nothing  can  be 
jreprefented  more  deplorable. 

Fans,  Qfl.  3.  They  write  from 
Belters,  that  Come  workmen  -em- 
ployed in  digging  a  well  at  An- 
tignac,  a  village  three  miles  from 
thence,  got  t6  the  depth  of  about  fix; 
toifes  thjev third  of  laft  month,  when* 
obferving  water  to  rife,  they  redou- 
blejd  their  a&ivity,  and  were  pre- 
fently 'aftoniihed  by  a  raoft  violent 
~  fubterraneous  explofion .  Having  re- 
covered from  their  furprize,  they 
again  approached  the  pit,  at  the 
birttom  of  which  they  perceived  one 
V?  their  con^ades*  to  whom  they 


[211 

One 


called,  bnt  received  no  anfwer. 
of  his  brothers  being  appreheniive 
for  his  fafety,  defcended  in  a  buc- 
ket, in  order  to  yield  him  affiftance; 
but  this  man  ihewed  no  (igns  of  life 
after  he  had  reached  the  bottom; , 
-He  was  followed  by  a  third,  who  ex- 
perienced the  fame,  fate.  A  fourth 
had  the  courage  to  defcend,  his  com- 
panions taking  the  precaution  o£ 
fattening  a  rope  to  him ;  and  follow- 
ing him  witn  the  eye,  as  he  wast 
gently  lowered,  they  foon  perceived 
his  head  to  droop,  and  his  who\» 
frame  to  be  violently  agitated.  Beinjg  t. 
immediately  drawn  up,  he  continue 
ed  without  motion  for  two  hours.— 
Recourfe  was  now  had  to  experi- 
ments which  ought  to  have  been  firft 
adopted .  They  let  down  a  cock  in  a 
bucket,  and  on  being  drawn  up  it 
was  found  on  the  point  of  expiring, 
with  its  feathery  b.ujr&t.  The  fame 
was  done  with  a  cat,  which  was  al- 
moil  dead  when  drawnup.  By  means 
of  hooks  and  other  implements  the 
three  perfons  were  railed  out  of  the 
pit,  being  quite  lifelefs,  and  all  their 
ikin  appearing  to  be  calcined.  The 
letters  farther  fay,  that  the  fubter- 
raneous noife  ftill  continues,  and 
that  chemifts  are  endeavouring  to> 
difcoyer  the  caufe  of  the  explofion, 
and  of  the  vaporous  gas,  which  has 
proved  fo  fatal  in  its  effe&s.  It  i$ 
added,  that  vitrified  matter  has  been 
taken  from  the  pit,  which,  it  is  iup- 
poled »  mull  have  been  in  a  ftate  of 
fufion. 

About  the  i  jth  in  ft.  a  perfon  who 
had  the  appearance  of  £  drover  went 
into  York  caftle,  and  told  .the  turn- 
key he  wanted  to  give  a  little  mo- 
ney among  the  felons.  On  being 
aiked  how  much  ?  he  put  his  hand 
in  his  pecket,  and  pulled  out  a  hand- 
ful of  filver  with  fome  gold,'  and 
gave  it  the  turnkey  to  be  diftributed 

[O]  a,  among 


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ffiaj     ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786. 


among  the  mod  neceflitoiis.  Being 
alked  who  had  lent  it  ?  he  faid  it 
was  his  own  gift.  Being  further 
prctied  to  tell  his  name,  he  took 
his  leave  as  if  in  hafte,  and  faid  he 
was  going  to  Northampton.  The 
fame  perfon  has  fince  viiited  feveral 
other  prifons,  and  given  money  to 
poor  objects  that  he  has  met,  on  the 
road. 

An  inhuman  murder  was  lately 
Committed  at  Lampeter  in  Cardigan- 
fhire,  on  a  poor  woman  who  by  in- 
chiftry  and  care  had  got  together  a 
little  money,  and  lived  in,  a  little  cot 
by  herfelf,  which  was  broke  open 
in  the  night,  her  money  carried  off, 
and  herfelf  left  a  dreadful  fpeclacle 
of  favage  cruelty,  bejng  ftabbed  in 
feveral  parts  of  her  body  3  her  dead 
corpfe  half  broiled  on  a  heap  of 
turfs,  which  it  is  fuppofed  had  been 
fet  on  fire  to  burn  her  cot,  and  her 
in  it,  to  prevent  fufpicion. 

Died.  Lately,  in  Portugal,  in 
the  parifh  of  St.  Joannes.de  Godini, 
in  the  diocefe  of  Oporto,  aged  117, 
Verelimo  Nogueira.  He  ierved  as 
a  foldier  from  the  age  of  17  till  he 
was  37,  and  was  at  the  battle  of 
Almanza:  after  he  had  obtained 
his  difcharge,  he  married,  had  feve- 
ral children,  and  maintained  his  fa- 
mily by  his  own  labour  and  ibme 
little  independency  which  he  poi- 
fellcd.  He  always  enjoyed  the  bed 
ftate  of  health,  and  it  is  not  unlike- 
ly that  he  he  might  have  lived  fome 
years  longer,  had  it  not  been  for  a 
fall,  in  which  one  of  his  legs  was 
broken  in  three  places',  which  occa- 
sioned his  dealh.  He  had  all  his 
teeth  and  all  his  hair,  a  few  of  which 
only  were  grown  grey  ;  and  he  en- 
.  joyed  all  his  faculties  to  the  laft. 
This  old  man  is  a  proof  that  ah  ad- 
vanced age  is  not  coniined  to  the 
northern  climates. 


NOVEMBER.     , 

Came  on  before  lord  Mans-  # 
field  and  lord  Loughborough,  at  * 
Serjeant's  Inn-hall,  thefecond  argu- 
ment in  error  brought  by  governor 
Jphnftone  againft  captain  Sutton, 
when  Mr.  Erfkine  was  heard  at 
full  length  for  the  defendant;  and 
Mri  Scott,  the  governor's  counfel, 
riling  to  anfwer,  was  told  it  was 
quite  unnecefTary,  as  nothing  had 
been  faid  which '  could  induce  their 
lordfhips  to  alter  their  opinion,  that 
the  judgment  obtained  by  captain 
Sutton  in  the  court  of  Exchequer 
mould  be  reverfed. — The  cafe  wa9 
limply  this  .-—Captain  Sutton  ob- 
tained a  verdict  for  5,000.1.  againft 
commodore  Jotinftone.  A  new  trial 
was  granted  by  the  court  of  Exche- 
quer :  a  fecond  trial  had— a  fecond 
verdict  for  6,oool. — A  motion  was 
then  made,  grounded  on  feveral 
points  of  law,  to  arreft  judgment. 
The  court  confirmed  the  verdict. 
The  commodore  brings  a  writ  of  er- 
ror on  the  fame  points  his  motion  in 
arreft  of  judgment  was  founded  on. 
This  writ  of  error,  by  act  of  parlia- 
ment, is  the  judgment  of  the  lord 
Chancellor  j  but  his  lordfliip  referred 
the  argument  to  the  two  chief  j  uftices, 
who  have  reverted  the  judgment  of 
the  court  of  Exchequer.  — At  prefent 
therefore  the  matter  ftands  thus  : 
four  judges  have  decided  for  captain 
Sutton,  and*  two  for  commodore 
Johnftone.  The  queftion,  it  was 
well  known,  would  eventually  go 
into  the  houfe  of  lords  :  it  remains, 
therefore,  to  be  known,  what  the 
lord  Chancellor  and  the  other  jud- 
ges t'  ink  on  the  fubject.  The/^x 
of  the  cafe  are  totally  unaltered  and 
unalterable.  The  queftion  is  re- 
duced to  a  point  of  law  :  but  though 
their  lordihips*  reafons  are  not  yet 
1    ,  public, 


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CHRONICLE.. 


[*i3 


public,  it  is  fuppofed  to  be;  whether 
a  common-law  ad  ion  will  lie  at  the 
fuit  of  an  inferior  officer  againft  a 
commander  in  chief,  though  it  ,bje 
grounded  on  cxprefs  malice?  The 
caufe  will  certainly  go  to  the  houfe 
of  lords,  being  of  no  le&  importance 
to  the  parties,'  than  to  the  navy  of 
Great  Britain. 

.1  About  two  o'clock  in  the  af- 
*  ternoon,  the  countefs  of  Strath- 
more  was  taken  from  the  houfe  of 
Mr,  Forfter  in  Oxford-ftreet,  under 
pretence  of  a  warrant  to  take  her 
before  lord  Mansfield ;  but  in  fad 
to  carry  her  off  by  a  company  of 
armed  ruffians.  She  was  forcibly 
thruft  into  her  own  carriage,  her- 
own  coachman  taken  from  the  box, 
and  a  ftranger  put  in  his  place,  who 
drove  off  at  a  mod  furious  rate,  and 
did  not  ftop  till  he  arrived  at  Bar- 
net,  where  the  carriage  was  met  by 
•  a  company  of  armed  men  ;  that  in  ' 
paflingthrough  one  of  the  turnpikes, 
the  lady  was  feeo  to  ftruggle  much, 
apparently  gagged,  and  in  great  dif- 
trefs :  but  no  farther  intelligence 
could  then"  be  obtained. 

■  Came  on  in  the  court  of 
1  King's  Bench  a  trial  at  bar,  in 
the  remarkable  caufe  between  the 
natural  'daughter  of  the  late  Ch. 
Mellifh,  efq.  and  his  niece.  The 
caufe  had  already  been  tried;  when 
a  verdict  was  obtained  by  the  daugh- 
ter, which  was  fet  aiide  by  a  fubfe- 
quejit  one  in  the  Common  Pleas. ' 
The  deceafed  made  two  wills,  one 
in  1774,  which  gave  place  to  one  in 
1780.  There  was  alio  a  codicil  in 
j 78 1 ;  and  the  conteft  was,  to  which 
of  the' wills  it  applied.  The  will 
in  1780  being  ettablifhed  by  weight 
of  evidences,  the  codicil  of  courfe 
rnuli  refer  to  that,  and  fo  it  was  de- 
termined. * 
^2d.  Ye&erday,  Edward  Aylette, 


the  attorney,  flood  in  the  pillory  in 
New  Palace  Yard,  Weftmmfter,  for 
wilful  and  corrupt  perjury. 

This  day,  juft  before  the  ,  * 
fitting  of  tlie  court  of  King's  a^ 
Bench,  lady  Strath  more  was  brought 
into  Weftminfter-hall ;  and  imme-' 
diately  on  the  arrival  of  the  judges, 
Mr.  Law/ her  counfel,  rnoved,  that 
flie  might  be  permitted -to,  exhibit 
articles  of  the  peace  againft  Mr, 
Bowes,  and  feveral  others;  which 
being  granted,  he  then  moved  for 
an  attachment  againft  Mr.  Bowes, 
and  feveral  of  his  accomplices, 
which  was  likewife  granted. 

Mr.  Bowes  appeared  in  the  , 
court  of  King's  Bench,  when  2?Ul*. 
his  counfel  moved,  that  he  mould 
be  dilcharged,  on  the  ground  that 
he  had  mot  been  legally  ferved  with 
the  habeas  corpus  5  but  the  court 
rejected  this  motion,  considering  the 
fervice  as  good.  A  iimilar  motion 
was  likewife  made,  on  the  ground 
that  Mr.  Bowes  was  actually  batten- 
ing to  town  to  make  a  return  to  the 
habeas  corpus,  but  was  prevented 
by  the  attack  upon  his  perfon,  and* 
other  unavoidable  Gircumltances ; 
but  the  court  confidering  this  after-, 
tion  as  contradicted  by  the  affidavits 
of  other  perfons,  rejected  this  motion 
alfoj  and  Mr,  Bowes  was  finally 
committed  to  the  King's. Bench  pri^ 
fon  till  the  judges  determine  what 
fecurity  he^ihall  be  obliged  to  find 
to  keep  the  peace. 


DECEMBER. 

John  Adams,  efq.  the  Ame-»  ., 
rlcan  plenipotentiary,  "prefent-  *  ". 
ed  the  rev.  Dr.  White,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  the  rev.  Dr.  Provolt,  of 
New  York,  to  the  archbilhop  of 
Canterbury,    to  be  confecrated  bi» 

[0]  3  iho^ 


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Ii6]        ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 


gerftone,  bart. ,  a  daugh- 
ter. 
Nov.  13.  Lady  of  the    archbifhop 
of  Canterbury,  a  daugh- 
ter. 

Lady  of  lord    Napier,   a 
fon. 

17.  Duchefs    of    Grafton,    a 

daughter. 
..  8.  Lady  of  Richard   Pepper 
Arden,  efq.  attorney-gene- 
ral, a  fon. 

jo.  Vifcountefs  Hereford,  a 
daughter. 

ii.  Lady  of  lord  Balgonie, 
fon  of  the  earl  of  Leven, 
a  fon. 

31.  Countefs  of  Abergavenny, 
a  fon. 


MARRIAGES  in  the  year  1786. 

Dec.  31.  The  hon.  Mr.  Pratt, 
1785.  (fince  lord  vifcount  Bay- 
ham)  to  Mifs  Molefworth, 
daughter  and  heirefs  of 
the  late  W.  Molefworth, 
efq. 

Feb.  4.  Lieut,  col.  Paulus  Irvin, 
-  1786.  to  lady  Elizabeth  St.  Lau- 
rence, daughter  of  the  earl 
of  Howth. 

13.  Henry  Drummond,  efq. 
to  Mifs  Dundas,  daughter 
of  the  right  hon.  Henry 
Dundas,  Treafurer  of  the 
Navy. 

« 1.  Hon.  Frederick  Lumley, 
to  Mifs  Boddington. 
Hon.  Mr.  Petre,  fon  of 
lord  Petre,  to  Mifs  How- 
ard, niece  of  the  earl  of 
Surrey. 
Mar.  8.  Earl  of  Haddington,  to 
Mifs  Gafcoigne. 

14.  Sir  Bouchier  Wray,  bart. 


to  Mifs  Palk,  daughter  of 
fir  Robert  Palk. 
?i.  At  BrmTels,  lord  John 
Ruflell,  to  the  honour- 
able Georgiana  Elizabeth 
Byng,  feconid  daughter  of 
lord  Torrington,  minif- 
ter  plenipotentiary  at  that 
court. 
48.  Richard  Long^  jun.  efq. 
to  Mifs  Florentina  Wray, 
fitter  to  fir  Bouchier  Wray, 
hart. 

Aprjl  2.  Lady  Horatio  Waldegrave, 
fecond  daughter  of  the 
duchefs  of  Gloucefter,  to 
the  hon.  captain  Conway, 
fon  of  the  earl  of  Hert- 
ford. 
8.  William  Bofcawen,  efq. 
of  Bufhey,  in  Hertford- 
ihire,  fecond  fon  of  the 
late  gen.  Gep.  Bofcawen, 
and  nephew  to  the  late 
vifcount  Falmouth,  ta 
Mifs  Charlotte  Ibbetfon, 
daughter  of  the  late  Dr. 
Ibbetfon,  archdeacon  of 
St.  Alban's. 

May    7.  Sir    William     Twyfden, 
bart.     to     Mifs      Fanny 
Wynch. 
6.  Walter  Sneyd,  efq.  to  the 
hon.  Mifs  Bagot,  daugh- 
ter of  lord  Bagot. 
27.  Princefs  Louiia  Augufta  of 
Denmark,  to  the  prince  of 
Slefwick  Holftein. 
Sir  William  Molefworth, 
bart.  to  Mifs  Ourry. 
6.  Lord  Maiden,  fon  of  the 
earl    of  Eflex,     to   Mrs. 
Stephenfon,     of    Harley- 
ftreet. 
17.  Earl  of  Cork  and  Orrery, 
to  the  hon.  Mifs  Monck- 
ton,  daughter  of  the  late 
lord  Galway. 

27.  Sir 


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CHRONICLE. 


»7*  Sir  Godfrey  Webfter,  Bart, 
to  Mifs  Vaffall. 
June  22,  Sir  H.  P.  St.  John,  Bart,  to 
Mifs  Mildmay,  of  Sh^n- 
ford- 

29.  Lord  Fairford,  to;  Mift 
Sandys,  niece  to  Lqrd 
Sandys., 
July  1.  Right  hon.  John  Fits- 
gibbon,  attorney-general 
of  Ireland,  to  Mift  Whal- 
.  ley,  daughter  of  the  la^e 
Chapel  Whalley,  efq. 

17.  Edward  Tburlow,  efq.  ne- 
phew, of  the  lord  chancefo 
lor,*  to  Mifs  ThompJon,  of 
Norwjph. 
.  The  earl  of  Shafteibury,  to 
Mifs  Webb,  daughter  of 
Sir  John  Webb,  bart. 

$9.  William  Champian  Cref- 
.  pigny,  efq.  tQ  lady  Sarah 
Windfpr. 
Aug.  14.  Sir  Thomas  Moncrieffe, 
bart.  to  lady  Elizabeth 
Ramfay,  daughter  of  the 
earl  of  Dalhoulie. 

39.  Sir  George  Ramfay,  bart. 
to  the  hon.  Mifs  Eleanor 
Frafer,   daughter    of   the 
late     Qeorge    lord    Sal- 
toun. 
P&.  j.  Sir  Samuel  Fludyer,  bart. 
to  Mifs  Wefton,  niece  to 
the  duke  of  Montague. 
E.    Brjfco,    efq.    to    lady 
Anne  Gordon,  daughter  of 
the  earl  of  Aberdeen. 
(5.  The     hon.     captain     de 
Courcy,   brother  of  lord 
Kinfale.,  tp  Mifs  Blenner- 
haffet,     niece    to    major 
Poole. 
9,  Sir  James  Hall,  bart.  to 
lady      Helen       Douglas, 
daughter    of  the  earl  of 
Selkirk. 

22.  Robert    Covile^    efq.    of 


HemingftoneHall,  inSufr 
.  folk,     to     Mifs     Afgifl, 
daughter  of  Sir  Charfe* 
Afgill,bart. 

14.  Hon.    col.    Henry    Fox, 
brother  to  the  right  hon> 
Charles  James    Fox,    to 
Mifs    Clayton,    fitfer    tp    , 
lady  Howard  de  Walden. 

29.  Lady  Anne  Mpria  Aruh* 
del,  youngeft  daughter  of 
lord  Ardndel  of^Waf^ 
dour,  count  of  the  facreil 
-  Roman,  empire,  to  the  hon, 
.Charles  Clifford,  brother 
tp  lqrd  Clifford,  of  Chud- 
leigh. 
Dec.  1.  Lord  Henry  Murray*  bra* 
ther  to,  the  dukfc  of  Athol, 
to  Mi(s  Kept,  daughter  of 
Richard  Kent,  efq.  of  Li- 
verpool. 
8.  James  Henry  Leigh,  efq. 
nephew  to  the  duke  of 
Chandos,  to  the  hon.  Mi& 
Twifsleton,    daughter   of 

x     }ord  Say  and  Sele. 

Principal  PROMOTIONS  in  the 
Year  1 7 86,  from  the  London  Ga~ 
%ette,  bV.  .* 

Jan.  7.  George  Baldwyn,  efq.  *o 
be  conful  general  in  Egypt. 

—  24.  Sir  John  Parnell,  bprt. 
to  be  privy  counsellor  in  Ireland. 

Feb.  4.  John    Sinclair,    efq.    ot 
Ulbfter,  to  be  a  baronet. 
'  —  24.  William,  lord  Craven,  to 
be  lord  lieutenant  of  Berks. 

—  28.  Granville  Levefon,  earl 
Gower,  to  be  marquis  of  the  county 
of  Stafford. 

March  3.  Douglas,  duke  of  Ha- 
milton, to  be  knight  of  the  Thiftle. 
\  —  25.  John  Elliot,  rear-admiral, 
to  be  governor  of  Newfoundland. 

Hon.  Ariana  Margaret  Egerton, 

to 


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Ji8]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  17S6. 


to  be  one  of  her  -  majefty's  bed- 
chamber women. 

April  ir.  Sir  Guy  Carleton, 
Itnight  of  the  Bath,  to  be  governor 
of  Quebec,  Nova  Scotia,  and  New 
Bnrnfwick. 

Francis,  marquis  of  Carmarthen, 
to  be  high  fteward  of  Kingfton  upon 
Hull. 

.  —  13.  Randal  William,  earl  of 
Antrim,  to  be  privy  counfellor  of 
Ireland. 

—  18.  Earl  of  Leven,  to  be  high 
ebmmiffioner  to  the  general  aflem- 
bly  of  the  church  of  Scotland. 

May  13.  Charles,  lord  Camden, 
to  be  earl  Camden,  and  vifcount 
Bayham. 

Earl  Beaulieu,  to  be  capital  and 
tigh  fteward  of  New  Windfor. 

—  .30.  Prince  Edward  to  be  co- 
lonel in  the  army,  by  brevet. 

June  3.  Prince  Edward,  prince 
Erneft  Auguftus,  prince  Auguftus 
Frederick,  prince  Adolphus  Fre- 
derick, the  Landgrave  of  Hefle 
Caflel,  the  duke  of  Beaufort,  the 
,  marquis  of  Buckingham,  and  earl 
Cornwallis,  to  be  knights  of  the 
Garter. 

Major-general  the  hon.  Thomas 
Bruce,  to  be  refident  major-general 
on  the  ftaff  of  Ireland. 

—  10.  The  dignity  of  a  baronet 
of  Great  Britain,^  to  the  following 
gentlemen,  viz.  To 

James  Macpherfon,  of  Calcutta, 
efq. 

James  Colquhoun,  of  Lufs,  efq. 

Sir  James  Douglas,  knight,  admi- 
ral of  the  White. 

Thomas  Shirley,  of  Oat  Hall,  in 
Sutiex,  efq.  governor  of  the  Lee- 
ward Caribbee  iflands. 

William  Green,  efq.  chief  engi- 
neer at  Gibraltar. 

Joihua  Rowley,  efq.  rear-admiral 
©f  the  Red. 


Corbet  Corbet  (late  Devenant)  of 
Stoke  upon  Tern  and  Adderley,  in 
the  coumy-of  Salop,  efq, 

Lyonel  Wright  Vane  Fletcher,  of 
Hutton  in  the  Forett,  in  Cumber- 
land, efq, 

Richard  Hoare,  of  Barn  Elms,  in 
Surry,  efq. 

James  Huriter  Blair,  lord  provoii 
of  Edinburgh. 

William  Charles  Farrell  Skef- 
flngton,  efq.  of  Skeffington  Hall,  in 
Leicefterihire. 

—  17.  Richard  lord  MiUbrd,  to 
be  lord-lieutenant  of  Pembrokefhire. 
.  —15.  The  right  honf  Charles 
Jenkinfon,  to  be  lord  Hawkefbury. 
•  Auguft  8.  John,  duke  of  Attiol, 
to  be  baron  Murray  of  Stanley,  in 
the  county  of  GJoucefter*  and  earl 
Strange. 

James,  earl  of  Abercorn,  to  be 
vifcount  Hamilton,  of  Leiceiler* 
ihire. 

George  Montague,  duke  of  Mon- 
trofs,  to  be  baron  Montague,  of 
Boughton,  in  Northamptonfhire,  re- 
mainder to  his  grandlbn  lord  Henry 
James  Montague,  fecond  fon  of  the 
duke  of  Buccleugh. 

William,  duke  of  Queenfbeny, 
to  be  baron  Douglas  of  Ameibury, 
in  Wiltihire. 

George,  earl  of  Tyrone,  in  Ire- 
land, to  be  baron  Tyron,  of  Haver- 
fordvveft,  in  Pembrokeihire. 

Richard,  earl  of  Shannon,  in  Ire- 
land, to  be  baron  Carleton,  of  York- 
fhire. 

John  Hufley,  lord  Del  aval,  of  ke-* 
land,  to  be  lord  Delaval,  in  Nor^ 
thumberland. 

Sir  Harbqrd  Harbord,  bart.  to  be 
lord  Suffield,  in  Norfolk. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton,  knight  of  th# 
Bath,  to  be  lord  Dorchefter,  in  Ox* 
fold  fhire. 

Sept.   2.    Hugh,   duke  of  Nor-r 
thuruberland^ 


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CH  R'O-tM  C  L  E. 


j>i$ 


ttonroberland;  to  be  lord  lieutenant 
o£tbat  county.  ^ 

—  5.  Right  hon.  John  Fofter, 
fpeaker  gf  the  houfe  of  commons  in 
Ireland,  to  be  a  privy  couniellor  in 
Great  Britain.  , 

Right  hon.  John  Beresford,  firft 
coramifiioner  of  the  revenue  in  Ire- 
land, to  be  a  privy-counfellor  in 
(Jreat  Britain.    ^ 

Charles,  lord  Hawkelbury,  to 
be  chancellor  of  the  duchy  of  Lan* 
cafter. 

His  majefty  baring  thought  fit  to 
revoke  his  order  in  council,  bearing 
date  the  5th  day  of  March,  1784, 
appointing  a  committee  of  privy 
council  for  the  consideration  of  all 
matters  relatipg-to  trade  and  foreign 
plantations,  and  to  declare  the  laid 
committee  diflblvcd,  has  been  pleal- 
ed  to  appoint  a  new  committee  of 
privy  council  for  the  bulinefs  above> 
mentioned,  to  con (i it  of  the  follow-  ^ 
ing  members,  viz. 

The  lord  arch bi (hop  of  Canter- 
bury. 

The  firft  lord  commiflioner  of  the 
Treafury. 

The  firft  lord  commifiioner  of  the 
Admiralty.  l 

His  majefty's  principal  fecretaries 
pfftate. 

The  chancellor  and  under  trea- 
surer of  the  Exchequer,  and 

The  fpeaker  of  the  houfe  of 
Commons* 

And  alfo  of  fuch  of  the  lords  of 
his  raajefty's  rood  honourable  privy 
council  as    (hall   hold  any  of  the 
■  following  offices,  viz. 

The  chancellor  of  the  duchy  of 
*4tteafter.  ^ 

paymafter    or    paymafters 
this  ma  jelly's  forces, 
j-eafurer   of  bis.  majefty's 

lifter  of  hi$  majefty  s  mjn.t, 


And  hit  majefty  was  at  the  famfc 
time  pleafed  to  order,  That 

The  fpeaker  of  the  houfe  of  com- 
mons of  Ireland,  and  filch  perfonj 
as  fhall  hold  office,  in  his  majefty'* 
kingdom  of  Ireland,  and  fhall  bo 
members  of  his  majefty*s  moft  ho- 
nourable privy  council  in  this  king- 
dom, mould  be  members  of  the  laid 
committee. 

And  alfo  that  lord  Frederick 
Campbell, 

Robert,  lord  bifhop  of  London, 

Lord  Grantley, 

Sir  Lloyd  Kenyon,  mafterdfthe 
rolls, 

The  right  honourable  Thomas 
Harley,     - 

The  honourable  fir  Jofeph 
Yorke,-  K.  B. 

Sir  John  Goodricke,  bart. 

William  Eden,  efq. 

James  Grenville,  efq.  and 

Thomas  Orde,  efq. 
mould  be  members  of  the  faid  com- 
mittee : 

And  that  the  right  honourable 
lord  Hawkelbury,  chancellor  of  the 
duchy  of  Lancalter,  and  in  his  ab-e 
fence  the  right  honourable  Wil- 
liam Grenville,  be  prefidcnt  of  the 
faid  committee, 

—  9.  Earl  of  Clarendon,  and  lord 
Carteret,  to  be  poft- ma flers" gene- 
ral. 

Phineas  Bond,  efq.  to  be  conful 
in  the  ftares  of  New  York,  New 
Jerfey,  Pennfylvania,  Delaware, 
and  Maryland,  and  commiiiary  for 
commercial  affairs'  in  the  United 
States  of  America, 

—  j 6*  The  right  hon.  William 
Pitt  James  marquis  of  Graham, 
the  hon.  Edward  James  Elliot,  fir 
John  Aubrey,  bart,  and  Richard 
earl  of  Mornington,  to  be  coramif* 
tf  oners  ot  the  treafury. 

Grey  Elliot,  efq.  to  be  an  addi- 
tional 


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**o]        ANNUAL    REGISTER.     1746. 


tional  clerk  of  the  privy  council, 
for  the  particular  fervice  of  the 
committee  of  privy  council,  ap- 
pointed for  the  consideration  of  all 
matters  relating  to  trade  and  foreign 
plantations. 

—  23.  Jofeph  Smith,  Efq,  to  be 
comptroller  of  the  mint, 

Oa.  4.  William  Fawkener,  Efq. 
to  be  envoy  extraordinary,  and  mi- 
aifter  plenipotentiary  to  Portugal, 
for  negociati ng  commercial  ar- 
rangements, in  conjunction  with 
the  Hon.  Robert  Wal pole. 

—  17.  John  Palmer,  Efq,  to  be 
furveyor  and  comptroller- general  of 
the  pod-office. 

—  28.  Right  Hon.  Sir  John  Par* 
nell,  Bart,  chancellor  of  the  Ex- 
chequer in  Ireland,  to  be  a  privy 
counfellor  in  Great  Britain. 

Nov.  1.  Dr.  Robert  Halifax*  to 
by  phyfician  in  ordinary  to  the 
Prince  of  Wales. 

—  ij.  John  Wilfon,  Efq.  to  be 
one  of  the  jufftces  of  the  Common 
Pleas. 

—  2 1 .  Sir  Alexander  Monro,  knight, 
and  Richard  Frewin,  Efq.  to  be 
eommiflioners  of  the  cuftoms. 

—  29.  Earl  of  Ailefbury  to  be 
knight  pf  the  Thiftle. 

Dec.  5.  Sir  Clifton  Wintringham 
Bart,  to  be  phyfician  general  to  his 
majefty's  forces. 

—  16.  Sir  Richard  Jebb,  Bart,  to 
be  phyfician  in  ordinary  to  his 
raa}efty.  ' 

—  ao.  Lieut.  General  William 
Fawcett,  and  Robert  vifcount  Gal- 
way,  to  be  knights  of  the  Bath. 


DEATHS,     1786. 

Dec.  17,  1785.  In  the  fouth  of 
France,  the  Hon.  Mifs  Louifa  Ver- 
non^  only  daughter  of  Lord  Vernon, 


Jan.  2.  1786.  John  Bartholomew 
Radclyffc,  Earl  of  Newburgh. 

3.  Hon.  Mrs.  Montgomery,  aunt 
to  the  prefent  Duke  of  Argyle. 

4.  Lady  Fleetwood,  mother  of 
Sir  Thomas  Fleetwood,  Bart. 

Sir  Edward  Every,  Bart. 

12.  Anne,  Lady  Brudenell,  wife 
of  James  Lord  Brudenell. 

John  Luther,  Efq.  late  member 
of  parliament  for  Effex. 

13.  '  The  Hon.  Mrs.  Anne  Her* 
vey,  relid  of  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Hervey,  fecond  fon  of  John,  firfl 
Earl  of  Brillol. 

The  Right  Hon.  Thomas  Barret 
Lennard,  Lord  Dacre. 

16.  Sir  Hugh  Owen,  Bart,  lord 
lieut.  and  member  of  parliament  for 
Pembrokeshire. 

30.  Henry  Rawlinfon,  Efq.  late 
member  of  parliament  for  Liver* 
pool. 

Feb.  1.  At  Bruflels,  George 
Beauclerk,  Duke  of  St.  Alban's. 

6".  The  lady  of  Admiral  Sir  Fran* 
cis  Drake,  Bart. 

8.  The  lady  of  Sir  Thomas  Gaf. 
coigne,  Bart. 

10.  Lieut.  (Jen.  Theodore  Day, 

18.  Hon.*  James  John  Colvill, 
eldeft  fon  of  Lord  Colvill,  of  Cul- 
rofs. 

March  2.  John  Jebb,  M«  D.  and 
F.  R.  S. 

5.  Lady  Penelope  Cbolmondeley, 
reli&of  the  late  Gen.  Cholmondeley, 

6.  James  Phipps,  Efq.  member  of 
parliament  for  Peterborough. 

7.  Philip,  Earl  Stanhope. 

9.  Sir  Chrifiopher  Whichcote, 
Bart. 

1 3.  Jane,  vifcountefs  Arbuthnot, 

17.  Catherine,  countefs   fcerrers, 

19.  Hon.  Jane  Walter,  daugh- 
ter, and  at  length  heirefs  of  George 
Lord  Abergavenny,  and  relict  of 
Abel  Walter,  Ef<j. 

%^.  James, 


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CHRONICLE. 


[i2i 


24.  James,  earl  of  Loudon. 

27.  Sackville,  earl  of  Thanet.    t     s 

April  3.  Hon.  and  rev.  Walter 
Shirley;  brother  to  Robert,  earl 
Ferrers. 

7.  George  Rofs,  efq.  member  of 
parliament  for  Kirkwall. 

10.  The  hon.  admiral  John  By 
ron. 

12.  Lady  Henrietta  Vernon,  re- 
lid  of  Henry  Vernon,  efq. 

May.  Hon.  George  Fitzwilliam, 
brother  of  the  prefent  earl. 

2.  George  lord  Brook,  eldeft  fon 
of  the  earl  of  Warwick. 

5.  Major-gen.  Auguftine  Prevoft, 
colonel  of  the  60th  regiment. 

25.  Lady  Margaret  Compfon, 
daughter  of  George,  4th  earl  of 
Northampton. 

26.  Edward*  lord  Leigh  5  the 
title  is  extinct.   , 

Peter  III.  king  of  Portugal. 

27.  Mrs.  Anne  Berkeley,  relift 
of  the  celebrated  bilhop  of  Cloyne. 

June  6.  Hugh,  duke  of  North- 
umberland. 

14.  Adam  Drummond,  efq.  mem- 
ber of  parliament  for  Shaft elbury. 

Lady  Ducie,  relict  of  lord  Du- 
cie. 

The  earl  of  Nortningtonj  the 
title  is  extinct. 

July  1.  The  hon.  William  Tuf- 
ton,  brother  to  the  earl  of  Thanet. 
He  was  drowned  in  the  Thames. 

4.  Lady  Elizabeth  Villiers.  She 
was  daughter  and  fole  heirefs  to 
John  Villiers,  vifcount  Purbeck,who 
fucceeded  to  the  titles  of  earl  of 
Buckingham,  vifcount  Villiers,  baT 
ron  of  Whaddon,  on'  the  death  of 
George  Villiers,  duke  of  Bucking- 
ham. His  lordfhip  died  in  1723, 
leaving  this  daughter  only,  his 
/  heirefs ;  by  whole  death  the  family 
of  the  Villiers,  of  the  Buckingham 
line,  is  extinct. 


10.  The  lady  of  George  Edward 
Stanley,  efq.  filter  to  fir  Michael  le 
Fleming,  bart. 

20.  Sir  George  Nares,  one  of  th£ 
judges  of  the  Common  Pleas. 

Thomas,  lord  Grantham. 

26.  John  Buller,  efq.  a  lord  of  th^ 
Treafury,  and  member  of  parlia- 
ment for  Eaft.  Looe. 

29.  Hon.  Mifs  Ifabella  Hawke, 
daughter  of  lord  Ha wke. 

Aug.  12.  Mary,  Vifcountefs  Kil- 
morey,  third  daughter  of  Walhing- 
ton,  earl  Ferrers. 

17.  Frederick  III.  king  of  Pruflia. 

29.  Hon.  Auguftus  William  FHz- 
roy,  third  fon  of  lord  Southampton. 

51.  Charles  Howard,  du&e  of 
Norfolk. 

Sept.  4.  Sir  Thomas  Aubrey,  bart. 
father  of  John  Aubrey,  efq.  mem- 
ber of  parliament  for  Bucks. 

Mrs.  Byng,  mother  of  George 
Byng,  efq.  of  Wrotham  Park. 

17.  Jemima  Elizabeth,  marchi- 
onei's  of  Graham,  third  daughter  to 
the  earl  of  Afhburnnam. 

Mifs  Cavendifh,  only  daughter  of 
lord  George  Henry  Cavendiin. 

1 8.  Hon.  Charles  Hamilton,  uncle 
to  the  earl  of  Abercorn. 

23.  Lady  Harriet  Eliot,  fecond 
daughter  of  the  late  earl  of  Chat- 
ham, and  wife  of  the  hon.  Edward 
James  Eliot. 

Oct.  2.  Admiral  Auguftus  vif- 
count Keppel. 

20.  The  hon.  Charles  Phipps, 
brother  to  lord  Mul  grave,  and 
member  of  parliament  for  Mine- 
head. 

Humphrey  Sturt,  efq.  late  member 
of  parliament  for  Dorietfhire. 

31.  Tbeprincels  Amelia  Sophia 
Eleonora,  iecond  daughter  of  his 
late  majefty  king  George  II. 

Nov.  2.  Sir  Edward  Swinburne, 
bart. 

6,  Sir 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


2M]       AN  NUAL    REGJ  ST£R,   1786. 


6.  Sir  Horace  Mann,  knt.  bart. 
46  years  mioifter  at  Florence. 

7.  Sir  John  Elliot,  bart.  phyfi- 
cUn  to  the  prince  of  Wales. 

Vilcounteis  Grimfton. 

11.  Major-gen.  Jaraes  Bramham, 
thief  engineer  of  Great  Britain. 

15.  Sir  Richard  Temple,  bart. 

Greneral  John  Parflow,  colonel  of 
the  30th  regiment. 

21.  Sir  Edward  Wilmot,  bart. 
phyiielan  to  the  king,  in  his  93d 
year. 

23.  Hannah  Cathnrina  Maria, 
dowager  vifcounteis  Falmouth. 

28.  Anne,  dowager  lady  Ruth- 
Ten. 

Dec.  9.  Henry  Roper,  nth  lord 
Teynham. 

5.  Alexander,  earl  of  Home. 

II.  Thorn  as,  earl  of  Clarendon. 

ao._  Ifabella,  duchefs  dowager  of 
Jtfanchefter,  wife  of  Edward,  earl 
Beaulieu. 

25.  Charles,  lord  Gray. 

28.  Hon.  capt.  Murray,  brother 
to  the  earl  of  Dunmore. 

Lately,  Sir  John  Burgoyne,  bart. 
in  the  Eaft  Indies. 


SHERIFF^*  appointed  by  his   Majcfiy 
in  Council,  for  1 786. 

Bedford/hire.    Matthew  Rugely,   of 

Potton. 
Berkjbire.     Wm,  Poyntz,  of  Midg- 

ham. 
Bucks.     Thomas     Wilkinfon,     of 

Weftthorpe. 
Cambridge    and    Huntingdon,      John 

Drage,  of  Soham. 
Chcjhire.    Hon.  Cornwal  Legh,  of 

High  Legh. 
Cornwall.     Michael  Nowell,  of  Fal- 
mouth. 
Cumberland.      William    Wilfon,    of 

Brackenbar. 


Derbyjhirti    Rcbert  Dale,   ot  Affi- 

borne. 
t)e<vonfiire.     Alexander-  Hamilton, 

of  Topfbam. 
Dor/etjhtre.     Henry  William   Port- 
man,  of  Bryan  ftone. 
Bffex.     John   Jolliffe  Tuffiiall,  of 
.   Great  Waltham. 
Glouajhrjbire.  Charles  Cox,  of  Bath. 
Hants.    Thomas  Clarke  Jervoife,  of 

Belmont. 
Henfotdjhire.     Sir   Edward   Bough- 
ton,  of  Vowchurch,  bart. 
HertfirdjMre.     Jeremiah    Mills,    of 

Pifhiobury. 
Kent.    Thomas  Hallet  Hodges>  of 

Hemfted. 
Leicrfterjbhe.    William  Herrick,   of 

Beaumanoir. 
Lincoln/hire.     Daniel     Douglas,     of 

Fokingham. 
Monmouthjhire.    Robert  Saluibury,  of 

Lanwern.    . 
Norfolk.     Francis  Long,    of  Spix- 

worth.    ' 
honhamptonfbire.     Ifaac   Pocdck,    of' 

Biggin. 
horthumberlnnd.     James  Algood,    of 

Nimwick. 
Notfiffgharrjhire.      Anthony    Hartf- 

horne,  of  Hay  ton.    - 
Oxford/hire.    Jofeph  Grote,  of  Badg- 

more. 
Ru' land/hire.     Thomas    Baines,.  of 

Uppingham. 
Sbrrjppirt.     Sir  Robert  Leigh  ton,,  of 

Loton,  bart.  . 
Somerfetjbire.     James    Stephen,    of 

Camerton. 
Stoffortijbire.      Thomas,  Parker,    of 

Park-hall.  •      , 

Sufllk.    James  Sewell,  of  Strutton. 
Hurry.  -  Theodore  Henry  Broadhead, 

of  Carfhalton. 
Suffix,     francis  Sergifon,  of  Cuck- 

field. 
Wat^xickjb'ire.      John    Taylor,      of 

Bofderfley, 

Wilrjbire. 


/ 


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CHRONICLE.  [ii$ 

Wiltjbire.  Seymour  Wroughton,  of  Radmrjkire.    Bridgwater  Meredith> 

Eaftcott.  offcliraw, 
Worcefterjbire.     George   Perrott,    of 

Perfhore, 

York/hire.      Richard    Langley,    of  NORTH  WALES, 

Wifceham  Abbey, 

Avghjta.  William  Pritcbard,of  Fret- 

SOUTH  WALES.  fcawen. 

Carnarvon/hire*     John    Griffith,   of 

Brecon.    Edward  Watkin,  of  Lan-  Tryfan. 

dilorvane.  Denbigh/hire.    Philip  Yorke,  of  Er- 

CttwUgartfbire.  Edward  Pryfe  Lloyd,  thig. 

of  Lianarth.  Fl'mtjbire.    John  Edwards,  of  Kel- 

Carmarthen/bin.     John    Lewis,    of  llerton.                                   v   , 

Llwynyfortiine.  Merionetbjhirt.       Griffith  Price,  of 

Glamorgan/bin.  Thomas  Drafte  Tyr-  Briach  y  ceunant. 

whit,  St.  Donatf  s  Caille.  Montgomtryjbir*.    Richard  Rocke,  p£ 

Pembrokefeir**    William  Knox,  «f  Trefnauney. 

Slcbetch. 


APPENDIX 


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t     2*4    1 


APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE* 


Mm  AlfiraB  of  the  Narrative  of  ihe 
left  ^/^/Halfewell  Eaft-India- 
man,  Capt.  R.  Pierce,  which  was 
unfortunately  wrecked  at  Seaeombe, 
htthe  ljle  of  Purbeck,  an  the  Coaft 
§f  j&orfetmire,  on  tbe  Morning  of 
Friday  the  6th  of  'January,  1786. 
Compiled  from  the  Communications, 
and  under  the  Authorities  of  Mr. 
Henry  Meriton  atid  Mr.  John 
Rogers>  the  two  chief  Officers  who 
happily  efcaped  the  dreadful  Cataf- 
trophe* 

«  nnHE  Halfewell  Eaft-India- 
X.  man,  of  758  tons  burthen, 
commanded  by  Richard  Pierce,  efq. 
having  been  taken  up  by  the  direc- 
tors of  the  Eaft-India  company,  to 
make  her  third  voyage  to  Coaft-and- 
Bay,  on  the  16th  day  of  November, 
1785,  fell  down  to  Graveferid,  where 
ihe  completed  her  lading ;  and 
taking  the  ladies  and  other  paflen- 
gers  on  board  at  the  Hope,  ihe 
failed  through  the  Downs  on  Sun- 
day the  1  ft  of  January,  1786,  and 
the  next  morning  being  a-breaft  of 
Dunnofe,  it  fell  calm. 

"  The  ihip,  one  of  the  fineft  in 
the  fervice,  and  fuppofed  to  be  in 
the  moft  oerfed  condition  for  her 
!  commander  of  diftin- 
tty,  and  exemplary  cha- 
ncers, men  of  unquef- 
ledge  in  their  profeliion, 
>ved  fidelity  j  the  crew, 


thebeft  feamen  that  could  be  col- 
lected, and  as  numerous  as  the  efta1- 
blilhment  admits  3  to  whom  were\ 
added  a  confiderable  body  of  ibl- 
diers,  deftined  to  recruit  the  force* 
of  the  company  in  Alia. 

"  The  refpeelable  paflengers  were : 
Mifs  Eliza  Pierce,  Mifs  Mary  Arine 
Pierce,  daughters  of  the  command- 
er; Mifs-  Amy  Paul,  Mifs  Mary 
Paul,  daughters  of  Mr.  Paul  of  So- 
merfetflnre,  and  relations  to  captain 
Pierce ;  Mifs  Elizabeth  Blackburne, 
daughter  of  captain  Blackburne,  of 
the  fame  fervice  5  Mifs  Mary  Hag- 
gard, filler  to  an  officer  on  the  Ma* 
dras  eftablilhment ;  and  Mifs  Anne 
Manfell  a  native  of  Madras,  but 
of  European  parents,  returning 
from  receiving  her  education  in 
England 5  John  George  Schutz* 
efq.  returning  to  Afia,  where  he 
had  long  refided,  to  colled  a  part , 
of  his  fortune  which  he  had  left 
there. 

"  Monday  the  ad  of  January,  at 
three  in  the  afternoon,  a  breeze 
fprung  up  from  the  fouth,  when  they 
ran  in  fbore  to  land  the  pilot,  but 
very  thick  weather  coming  on  in 
the  evening,  and  the  wind  baffling, 
at  nine  in  the  evening  they  were 
obliged  to  anchor  in  eighteen  fa- 
thom water,  furled  their  topsails, 
but  could  not  furl  their  courfes,  the 
fndw  falling  thick,  and  freezing  as 
it  fell. 

"  Tuefday 


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APPENDIX  to  the  CHffOKlCLE.         [225 


*  Tuefday  the  3d,  at  four  in  the 
morning,  a  ftrong  gale  came  on  from 
eaft-north-eaft,  and  the  fhip  driving, 
they  were  obliged  to  cut  their  ca- 
bles, and  run  off  to  fea.  At  noon, 
they  fpoke  with  a  brig  bound  to 
v Dublin,  and  having  put  their  pilot 
on "  board  her,  bore  down  channel 
immediately.  At  eight  in  the  even- 
ing, the  wind  frcfhening  and  coming 
to  the  fouthward,  they  reefed  fuch 
fails  as  were  judged  neceflary.  At 
,  ten  at  night  it  blew  a  violent  gale 
of  wind  at  fouth,  and  they-  were 
obliged  to  carry  a  prefs  of  fail  to 
keep  the  fhip  off  more,  in  doing 
which  the  hawfe-plugs,  which  ac- 
cording to  a  ne\v  improvement  were 
Eut  in  fide,  were  warned  in,  and  the 
awfe-bags  wafhed  away ;  in  confe- 
quence  of  which  they  fhipped  a  large 
quantity  of  water  on  the  gun-deck. 

"  On  founding  the  well,  and  find- 
ing the  fhip  had  fprung  a  leak,  and 
had  five  feet  water  in  her  hold,  they 
clued  the  main  top-fail  up,  hauled 
up  the  main-foil,  and  immediately 
endeavoured  to  furl  both,  but  could 
4iot  effect  it.~All  fhe>pump$  were 
fet  to  work  on  discovering  the  leak. 

"  Wednefday  the  4th,  at  two  in 
the  morning,  they  endeavoured  to 
wear  the  fhip,  but  without  fuccefs : 
and  judging  it  neceffary  to  cut  away 
the  mizen-maft,  it  was  immediately 
done,  and  a  fecond  attempt  made  to 
wear  the  fliip^  which  fucceeded  no 
better  than  the  former ;  and  the  fhip 
having  now  feven  feet  water  in  her 
hold,  and  gaining  faft  on  the  pumps, 
it  was  thought  expedient,  for  the 
prefervation  of  the  fhip,  to  cut  away 
the  main-maft,  the  fhip  appearing^ 
to  be  in  immediate  danger  of  foun- 
dering 5  in  the  fall  of  the  matt, 
Jonathan  Morctpn,  cockfwain,  and 
four  men,  either  fell  or  were  drawn 
by  the  wreck  overboard  and  drown- 

Vol,  XXVIII. 


ed,  and  about  eight  in  the  morning 
the  wreck,  was  cleared,  and  the  fhip  . 
got  before  the  wind,  in  which  £0- 
fition  fhe  was  kept  about  two  htfurg, 
in  which  time  the  pumps  cleared 
the  fhip  of  two  feet  of  water  in  thd 
hold :  at  this  time  the  fhip's  head 
was  brought  to  the  eaftwarcl  with 
the  fore-fail  only. 

tc  At  ten  in  the  morning  the  wind 
abated  confiderably,  and  the  fhip 
labouring  extremely,  rolled  the  fore- 
top-maft  over  on  the  larboard  fide ; 
in  the  fall  the  wreck  went  through 
the  fore-fail,  and  "tore  it  to  pieces. 
At  eleven  in  the  forenoon,  the  wind 
came  to  the  Weftward,  and  the  wea- 
ther clearing  up,  the  berry-head  was 
diftinguifhable  bearing  north  and 
by  eaft  diftant  four  or  five  leagues ;  % 
they  now  immediately  bent  another 
fore-fail,  erected  a  jury-ma  in- ma  ft, 
and  fet  a  top-gallant-fail  for  a  main- 
fail,  under  which  fail  they  bore  up 
for  Portfmputh,  and  employed  the 
remainder  of  the  day  in  getting  up 
a  jury-mizen-maft. 

"  Thurfday  the  5th,  at  two  in  the 
morning,  the  wind  came  to  *  the 
fouthward,  blew  frefh,  and  the  wea- 
ther was  very  thick  5  at  noon  Port- 
land was  feen  bearing  north  and  by 
eaft,  diftant  two  or  three  leagues. 
At  eight  at  night  it  blew  a  ftrong 

fale  at  fouth,  and  at  this  time  the 
ortland  lights  were  feen  bearing 
north-weft,  diftant  -  four  or  five 
leagues,  when  they  wore*  the  fhip, 
and  got  her  head  to  the  weftward, 
but  finding  they  loft  ground  on  that 
tack,  they^wore  her  again,  and  kept 
ftretching  on  to  the  eaftward,  in 
hopes  to  have  weathered  Peverel- 
porat,  in  which  cafe  they  intended 
to  have  anchored  in  Studland-bay. 
At  eleven  at  night  it  cleared,  and 
theyxfaw  St.  Alban's-head  a  mile  and 
half  to  the  leewar4  of  them,  upon 
[P]  /which 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


22C]       ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

which  they  took  in  Sail  immediately, 
and  let  go  the  fmalf  bower-anchor, 
which  broughjt  up  the  fhip  at  a 
whole  cable,  and  uie  rode  for  about 
an  hour,  but  then  drove  5  they  now 
let  go  the  fheet-anchor,  and  wore 
away  a  whole  cable,  and  the  fhip 
rode  for  about  two  hours  longer, 
when  fhe  drove  again. 

"  Whilft  they  were  in  this  fitua- 
tion,  the  captain  fent  for  Mr.  Henry 
Meritori,  the  chief  officer  who  fur- 
vives,  and  aflced  his  opinion  as  to 
the  probability  of  faving  their  lives ; 
to  which  he  replied  with  equal  calm- 
nefs  and  candour,  that  he  appre- 
hended there  was  very  little  hope, 
as  they  were  then  driving  fall  on  the 
fhore,  and  might  expect  every  mo- 
ment tp  flrike  j  the  boats  were  then 
mentioned,  but  it  was  agreed  that 
at  that  time  they  could  be  of  no  ufe, 
yet  in  cafe  an  opportunity  fhould 
prefent  itfelf^of  making  them  fer- 
viceable,  it  was1  propofed  that  the 
officers  fliould  be  confidentially  re- 
quested to  referve  the  long-boat  for 
the  ladies  and  themfelves  j  and  this 
precaution  was  immediately  taken. 

"  About  two  in  the  morning  of 
Friday  the  6th,  the  fhip  {till  driv- 
ing, and  approaching  very  fa  ft  to  the 
ihore,  the  fame  officer  again  went 
into  the  cuddy,  where  the  captain 
then  was,-  and  another  converfation 
took  place,  captain  Pierce  exprefT- 
ing  extreme  anxiety  for  the  pre- 
fervation  of  his  beloved  daughters, 
and  earneftly  alking  the  officer,  if 
he  could  devife  any  means  of  faving 
them;  and  on  his  anfwering  with  * 
great  concern  that  he  feared  it  would 
be  impoffible,  but  that  their  only 
chance  would  be  to  wait  for  the 
morning,  the  captain  lifted  up  his 
hands  in  filent  and  diitrefsful  eja- 
culation. ' 

"  At  this  dreadful  moment  the 


{hip  ftruck  with  fuch  violence  a*  to 
dafli  the  heads  of  thofe  *who  wer* 
Standing  in  the  cuddy  againft  the* 
deck  above  them ;  and  the  fatal  blow 
was  accompanied  by  a  fliriek  of  hor- 
ror, which  burft  at  one  inftarit  from 
every  quarter  of  the,  {hip. 

"  The.  feamen,  many  of  whom 
had  been  remarkably  inattentive 
and  remifs  in  their  duty  during  great 
part  of  the  ftorm,  and  had  actually 
ikulked  in  their  hammocks,  and  left 
the  exertions  of  the  pump,  and  the 
other  labours  attending  their  Situa- 
tion, to  the  officers  of  the  fhip,  and 
^tlie  foldiers  (who  had  been  uncom- 
monly active  and  affiduous  during 
the  whole  tremendous  conflict), 
rouzed  by  the  destructive  blow  to 
a  fenfe  of  their  danger,  now  poured 
upon  the  deck,  to  which  no  en- 
deavours of  their  officers  could  keep 
them  whilft  their  afliftance  might 
have  been  ufeful,  and  in  frantic  ex-' 
clamations  demanded  of  heaven  and 
their  fellow-fufTerers  that  fiiccour, 
which  their  timely  efforts  might 
poffibly  have  fucceeded  in  procur- 
ing ;  but  it  was  now  too  late,  the 
fhip-  continued  to  beat  on  the  rocks, 
and  foon  bulged,  and  fell  with  her 
broadfide  towards  the  fhore.  When 
the  fhip  ftruck,  a  number  of  the  men 
climbed  up  the  enfign-ftaff,  under 
an  apprehension  of  her  going  to 
pieces  immediately. 

"  Mr.  Meriton,  the  officer  whom 
we  have  already  mentioned,  at  this 
crifis  of  horror,  offered  to  thefe  un- 
happy beings  the  beft  advice  which 
could  poflibly  be  given  to  them ;  he 
recommended  their  coming  all  to 
that  fide  of  the  fhip  which  lay  loweft 
on  the  rocks,  and  fingly  to  take  the 
opportunities  which  might  then  of* 
fer  of  efcaping  to  the  Shore.  And 
having  thus  provided  to  the  utrnoft 
of  his  power  for  the  fafetv  of  the 
delponding 


k 


Digitized  by  CjOOQIC 


APPENDIX  to  fhe  CHRONICLE. 

#efpondi»g  crew,  he  returned  to  the 
found-houfe,  where  by  this  time  all 
the  paflengers,  and  moft  of  the  offi- 
cers, were  affembled,  the  latter  em- 
ployed in  offering  confolation  to, the 
unfortunate  ladies,  and  with  uripa- 
*  ralelled  magnanimity  fuffering  their 


[22? 


yawls  in  depth,  and  of  breadth' 
equal  to  the  length  of  a  large  fhip, 
the  fides  of  the  cavern  fo  nearly 
upright  as  to  be  extremely  diffi- 
cult of  aceefs,  the ,  roof  formed  of 
the  ftupendous  cliff,  and  the  bottom 
of  it  ftrewed  with  fharp  and  uneven 


compaflion  for  the  fair  and  amiable  -  rocks,' which  feem  to  have  been  rentf 


companions  of  their  misfortunes  to 
get  the  better  of  the  fenfe  of  their 
own  danger,  and  the  dread  of  almoft 
inevitable  annihilation.  At  this  mo-; 
nient,  what  mud  be  the  feelings  of 
a  father — of  fuch  a  father  as  captain 
Pierce ! 

"  In /this  charitable  work  of  of- 
fering comfort  to  the  fair  fufferers, 
Mr.  Meriton  now  joined,  by  affur- 
ances  of  his  opinion,  that  the  (hip 
would  hold  together  till  the  morn- 
ing, when  they  would  all  be  fafe : 
and  captain  Pierce  obferving  one  of 
the  young  gentlemen  loud  in  his 
exprefliorfs  of  terror,  and  hearing 
him  frequently  exclaim  that  the 
fhip  was  going  to  pieces,  he  chear- 
fully  bid  him  hold  his  peace ;  ob- 
ferving to  him,  that  though  the  fhip 
fhould  go  to  pieces,  he  would  not, 
but  wouk\  be  fafe  enough. 

"  It  will  now  be  neceffary  to  de- 
fcribe  the  i\ tuation  of  the  place 
which  proved  fatal  to  fo  many  va- 
luable and  refpeftable  perfons,'  as  • 
without  fuch  a  defcription  it  will 
be  difficult  to  convey  a  proper  idea 
of  the  melancholy,  the  deplorable 
fcene. 

"  The  fhip  ftruckon  the  rocks  at 
or  near  Seacombe,  on  the  ifland  of 
Purbeck,  between  Peverel-point,  and 
St.  Alban's-head,  at  a  part  of  the 
fhore  where  the  cliff  is  of  vaft  height, 
and  riles  almoft  perpendicular  from 
its  bate. 

"  But  at  this  particular  fpot  the 
cliff  is  excavated  at  the  foot,  and 
preients  a  cavern  of  ten  qv  twelve 


from  above  by  fome  convulfion  of 
nature.  ♦ 

"  It  was  at  the  mouth  of  this  ca- 
vern that  the  unfortunate  wreck  lay 
ftretched  almoU  from  fide  to  fide  of 
it,  and  offering  her  broadfide  to  thei 
horrid  chafm. 

"  But  at  the  time  the  fhip  ftruck,' 
it  was  too  dark  to  diicover  the  ex- 
tent of  their  danger,  and  the  ex- 
treme horror  of  their  fituation  j  even 
Mr.  Meriton  himfelf  conceived  a 
hope  that  fhe  might  keep  together 
till  day-light,  and  endeavoured  to 
chear  his  drooping  friends,  and  in 
Particular  the  unhappy  ladies,  with 
this  comfortable  expectation,  as  an 
anfwer  to  the  captain's  enquiries, 
how  they  went  on,  or  what  he 
thought  of  their  fituation  ? 

"In  addition  to  the  company  al- 
ready in  the  rourid-houfe,  they  had 
admitted  three  black  women  and 
two  foldiers  wives,  who,  with  the 
hufband  of  one  of  them,  had  been 
permitted  to  come  in,  though  the 
feamen  who  had  tumultuoufly  de- 
manded entrance,  to  get  the  lights, 
had  been  oppofed,  and  kept  out  by, 
Mr.  Rogers,  the  third  mate,  and 
Mr.  Brimer,  the  fifth,  fo  that  the 
numbers  there  were  now  increafed 
to  near  fifty;  captain  Pierce  fit- 
ting on  a  chair,  cot,  or  fome  other 
moveable,  with  a  daughter  on  each 
fide  of  him,  each  of  whom  he  alter- 
nately preiled  to  his  affe6tionate 
bofom ;  the  reft  of  the  melancholy 
affembly  were  feated  on  the  deck, 
which  was  ftrued  with  mufical  in? 

[P]  2  ftrunients/ 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


*a8]       ANNUAL    REG  ISTER,  i?86. 


ftruments,  and  the  wreck  of  furni- 
ture, trunks,  boxes,  and  packages. 
.  «'  And  here  alfo  Mr.  Meriton, 
having  prevtoufly  cut  feveral  wax- 
caudles  into  pieces,  and  ftuck  them 
.  up  in  various  parts  of  the  round- 
fcoufe,  and  lighted  up  all  the  glafs 
lanthorns  he  could  find,  took  his 
feat*  intending  to  wait  the  happy 

-  ^wn,  that  might  preient  to  him  the 
means  of  effecting  his  own  efcape, 
and  afford  him  an  opportunity  of 
giving  afliftance  to  the  partners  of 
Jus  danger ;  but  obferving  that  the 
poor  ladi-  s  appeared  parched  and 
exhaufted,  he  fetched  a  batket  of 
oranges  from  ibme  part  of  the  round- 
houfe,  and  prevailed  on  Ibme  of  them 
to  refrelh  themfelves  by  fucking  a 
little  of  the  juice.  At  this  time  they 
were  all  tolerably  compofed,  except 
Mifs  Mantel,  who  was  in  hyfleric 
fits  oh  the  floor  deck  of  the  round- 
houfe. 

"  But  on  his  return  to  the  com- 
pany, he  perceived  a  confiderable 
alteration  in  the  appearance  of  the 
fhip,  the  fides  were  vifibly  giving 
way,  the  deck  feemed  to^be  lifting, 
and  he  difcovered  other  ftrong  fymp- 
toms  that  flie  could  not  hold  toge- 
ther much  longer ;  he  therefore  at- 
tempted to  go  forward  to  look  out, 
but  immediately  law  that  the  ihip 
was  feparated  in  the  middle,  and 
that  the  fore  part  had  changed  its 
pofition,  and  lay  rather  farther  out 
towards  the  lea ;  and  in  .this  emer- 
gency, when  the  next  moment  might 
be  charged  with  his  fate,  he  deter- 
mined to  feize  the  prefent,-and  to 
follow  the  example  of  the  crew,  and 
the  foldiers,  who  were  now  quitting 
the  lhip  in  numbers,  and  making" 

"  their  way  to  a  more,  of  which  they 
knew  not  yet  the  horrors. 
-    "  Among  other  meafures  adopted 
to  favour  thefe  attempts,  *the  enngn-r 


ftaff  had  been  unfhipped,  and  at^ 
tempted  to  be  laid  from  the  ihipfs 
fide  to  fome  of  the  rocks,  but  with- 
out fuccefs,  for  it  mapped  to  piece* 
before  it  reached  them;  however, 
by  the  light  of  a  lanthorn,  which  a 
feaman,  of  the  name  of  Burmafter, 
handed  through  the  iky-light  of  the> 
roun4-houfe  to  the  deck,  Mr.  Me- 
riton difcovered  a  fpar,  which  ap- 
peared to  be  laid  from  the  {hip's 
-fide^  to  the  rocks,  and  on  this  fpar 
he  determined  to  attempt  his  ef- 
cape. 

*"  He  accordingly,  laid  himfelf 
down  on  it,  and  thruft  himfelf  for- 
ward, but  he  foon  found  that  the 
fpar  had  no  communication  with  the 
rock  j  lie  reached  the  end  of  it,  and 
then  Hipped  off,  receiving  a  very 
violent  bruife  in  his  fall;  and  be- 
fore he  could  recover  his  legs,  he  was 
waihed  off  by  the  furge,  in  which 
he  fupported  himfelf  by  fwimming, 
till  the  returning  wave  dafhed  him 
againft  the  back  part  of  the  cavern, 
where  he  laid  hold  of  a  fmall  pro- 
jecting piece  of-the  rock,  but  was  fo 
benumbed,  that  he  was  on  the  point 
of  quitting  it,  when' a  feaman  who 
had  already  gained  a  footing  extend- 
ed his  hand,  and  afliiled  him  till  he 
could  fecure  himfelf  on  a  little  fhelf 
of  the  rock,  from  which  he  clam- 
bered ftifl  higher,  till  he  was  out  of 
the  reach  of  the  furf. 

"  Mr.  Rogers,  the  third  mate, 
remained  with  the  captain,  ancUthe 
unfortunate  ladies,  and  their. com- 
panions, near  twenty  minutes  after 
Mr.  Meriton  had  quitted  the  /hip. 
Soon  after  the  latter  left  the  round- 
houfe,  the  captain  afked  what  was 
become  of  him  ?  and  Mr.  Rogers 
replied,  that  he  was  gone  on  the 
deck  to  fee  what  could  be  done.— 
After  this  a  heavy  fea  breaking 
over  the  ihip,  the  ladies  "exclaimed* 

"  Oh 


Digitized  by  ViiOOQlC 


APPENDIX  fo  the  CHRONICLE.  [229 


r*  Oh  poor  Men  ton*  5  he  is  drowned, 
had  he  ftayted  with  us,  he  would  have 
been  fafe  $"  and  they  all,  and  par-, 
ticularly  Mifs  Mary  Pierce,  ex- 
prefied  great  concern  at  the  ap- 
prehenfion  of  t  his  lofs.-^On  this 
occafion  Mr,  Rogers  offered  to  go 
and  call  in  Mr.  Meriton  ;  but  this 
was  oppofed  by  the  ladies,  from  an 
apprehend  on  that  he  might  fhare  the 
fame  fate, 

"  At  this  time  the  fea  was  breaking 
in  at  the  fore  part  of  the  fhip,  and 
reached  as  far  as  the  main-paaii,  and 
Captain  Pierce  gave  Mr.  Rogers  a 
nod,  and  they  took  a  lamp,  and 
•went  together  into  the  flern-gailery, 
and  after  viewing  the  rocks  for  forae 
time,  Captain  Pierce  alked  Mr.  Ro- 
gers if  he  thought  there  was  any  pof- 
Sbiiity  of  laving  the  girls ;  to  which 
he  replied,  he  feared  there  was  not, 
for  they  could  only  difcovcr  the 
"black  face  of  the  perpendicular  rock, 
and  not  the  cavern,  which  afforded 
ihelter  to  thofe  who  efcaped  ;  they 
then  returned  to  the  round-houfe, 
and  Mr.  Rogers  hung  up  the  lamp, 
and  Captain  Pierce,  with  bis  great 
coat  on,  fat  down  between  his  two 
daughters,  and  ftruggled  to  fupprefs 
the  parental  tear  which  then  burlt 
into  his  eye. 

t€  The  fea  continuing  to  break  in 
very  faft,  Mr.  M'Manus,  a  midihip- 
man,  and  Mr.  Schutz,  a  palfenger, 
aiked  Mr.  Rogers  what  they  could 
do  to  efcape';  who  replied,  <€  Fol- 
low me,"  and  they  then  ail  went 
into  the  fiern-gallery,  and  from 
thence  by  the  weather  upper  quarter 
gallery  upon  the  poop,  and  whilft 
they  were  there  a  very  heavy  fea 
fell  on  board,  and  the  round-noufe 
gave  way,  and  he  heard  the  ladies 
Shriek  at  intervals,  as  if  the  water 
Jjad  reached  them.,  the  noife  of  the 


fea  at  other  times  drowning  their 
voices. 

"  Mr.  Brimer  had  followed  Mr. 
Rogers  to  the  poop,  where  they 
had, remained  together  about  live 
minutes,  when  on  the  coming  on  o£ 
the  lait-mentioned  fea,  they  jointly 
feized  a  hen-coop,  and  the  fame 
wave  which  he  apprehended  proved, 
fatal  to  fome  of  thofe  who  remained, 
below,  happily  carried  him  and  his 
companion  to  the  rock,  on  which 
they  were  daihed  with  fuch  vio- 
lence as-to  be  miferably  bruifed  and 
hurt." 

"  On  this  rock  were  twenty-feyen 
men,  but  it  was  low  water,  and  a* 
they  were  convinced  that  upon  the* 
flowing  of  the  tide  they  muft  all  bo 
wafhed  off,  many  of  them,  attempted 
to  get  to  the  back  or  fides  of  the 
cavern,  out  of  the  reach  of  the  re^ 
turning  fea ;  in  this  attempt  fcarce> 
more  than  fix,  befides  himfelf  and 
Mr.  Brimer,  fucceeded ;  of  the  re- 
mainder fome  fhared  the  fate  which 
they  had  apprehended,  and  the  others 
periihed  in  they:  efforts  to  get  inU* 
the  caver"n.       '  ' 

"  "  Mr.  Rogers  and  Mr.  Brimejt 
both  however  reached  the  cavern, 
and  Scrambled  up  the  rock,  on  nar- 
row {helves  of  > which  they  lixe4 
themfelves :  Mr.  Rogers  got  fo  neaj 
to  his  friend  Mr*  Meriton  as  to 
exchange  congratulations  with  him ; 
but  iie  was  prevented  from  joining 
him  by  at  leaft  twenty  itien  who- 
were  between  them,  neither  of  whoa* 
could  move  without  immediate  pe* 
ril  of  his  life. — At  the  time  Mr. 
Rogers  reached  this  ftation  of  pof- 
fible  fafety  his  ftrength  was  fo  near- 
ly exhauiled,  that  had  the  ltrugj- 
gle  continued  a  few  minutes  lon- 
ger, he  muit  have  beet*  inevitably 
loft. 

in  $  "They 


Digitized  by  Vj(    OQlCv 


*3<>] 


ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


"  They  now  found  that  a  very 
confiderable  number  of  the  crew,* 
feameu,  foldiers,  and  fome  petty 
officers,  were  in  the  fame  fituation 
with  thernfelves,  though  many  who 
had  reached  the  rocks  below,  had 
peri  (bed  in  attempting  to  afcend ; 
what  that  fituation  was  they  were 
ftill  to  learn;  at  prefent  they  had 
cfcaped  immediate  death,  but  they 
were  yet  to  encounter  cold^  naked- 
nefs,  wind,  rain,  and  the  perpetual 
beating  of  the  fpray  of  the  fea,  for  a 
difficult,  precarious,  and  doubtful 
chance  of  efcape. 

"  They  could  yet  difcern  fome 
part  of  the  fhip,  and  folaced  them- 
lclves,  in  their  dreary  ftations,  with 
the  hope  of  its  remaining  entire  till 
day-break,  for,  in  the  midft  of  their 
own  misfortunes,  the  fufferings  of 
the  females  affected  them  with  the 
mod  acute  anguifh,  and  every  fea 
that  broke  brought  with  it  terror, 
for  the  fate  of  thofe  amiable  and 
liclplefs  beings.  e 

'•  But,  alas  !  their  apprehenfions 
were  too^foon  realized.  In  a  very 
few  minutes  after  Mr.  Rogers  had 
gained  the  rock,  an  univerfal  fhriek, 
which  ftill  vibrates  in  their  ears,  and 
in  which  the  voice  of  female  <li lire fs 
was  lamentably  diftinguilhable,  an- 
nounced the  dreadful  cataflrophe  j 
In  a* few  moments  all  was  huihed, 
except  the  warring  winds  and  beat- 
ing waves :  the  wreck  was  buried 
in  the  remorfelefs  deep,  and  not  an 
atom  of  her  was  ever  after  disco- 
verable. 

«  Thus  perifhed  the  Halfewell, 
worth,  honour,  lkill, 
bility,   and  bright  ac- 
ts. 

thofe  who  had  gained 
is  ftations  which  we 
4,  worn  out  with  fa- 


tigue, weakened  by  bruifes,  battered 
by  the  tempeft,  and  benumbed  with 
the  cold,  quitted  their  holdfafts,  and 
tumbling  headlong  either  on  the 
rocks  below,  or  in  the  furf,  perifhed 
beneath  the  feet  of  their  wretched 
affociates,  and  by  their  dying  groans, 
and  gulping  exclamations  for  pity, 
aw3kened  terrific  apprehenfions  in 
the  furvivors,  of  their  own  approach- 
ing fate. 

"  At  length,  after  the  bhtereft 
three  hours  which  mifery  ever  length- 
ened into  ages,  the  day  broke  on 
them,  but  inftead  of  bringing  with 
it"  the  relief  with  which  they  had 
flattered  thernfelves,  ferved  to  dis- 
cover all  the  horrors  of  their  fitua- 
tion ;  they  now  found  that  had  the 
country  been  alarmed  by  the  guns  of 
diflrefs  which  they  had  continued  to 
fire  for  many  hours  before  the  fhip 
struck,  but  which  from  the  violence 
of  the  itorm  were  unheard,  they 
conld  neither  be  obferved  by  the 
people  from  above,  as  they  were  com- 
pletely ingulphed  in  the  cavern,  and 
over-hung  by  the  cliff,  nor  did  any 
part  of  the  wreck  remain  to  point  out . 
their  probable  place  of  refuge  ;  be- 
low, no  boatcouldlive  to  fearch  them 
outj  and  had  it  been  pofiible  to 
have  acquainted  thole  who  would 
win*  to  ailift  them  with  their  exafcfc 
fituation,  no  ropes  could  be  convey- 
ed into  the  cavity  to  facilitate  their 
efcape „ 

"  The  only  profpeel  which  offer- 
ed, was  to  creep  dong  the  fide  of  the 
cavern,  to  its  outward  extremity, 
and  on  a  ledge  lcarcely  as  broad  as 
a  man's  hand  to  turn  the  corner,  and 
endeavour  to  clamber  up  the  almoft 
perpendicular  precipice,  whole  lumr 
mit  was  near  two  hundred  feet  from 
the  bafe. 

>'  And  in  this  defperate  effort, did 

foiuf 


dbyAj 


APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE. 


f*3* 


fome  fucceed,  whilft  others,  trem- 
bling with  terror,  and  their  ftrength 
exhaufted  by  mental  and  bodily  fa- 
tigue, loft  their,  precarious  footing, 
and  perifhed  in  the  attempt. 

"  The  firft  men  who  gained  the 
fummit  of  the  cliff,  were  the  cook, 
and  James  Thompfon,  a  quarter- 
mafter  $  by  their  own  exertions  they 
made  their  way  to  the  land,  and  the 
moment  they  reached  it,  haftened  to 
the  neareft  houfe,  and  made  known 
the  fituation  of ^  their  fellow-fuf-, 
ferers, 

"  The  houfe  at  which  they  firft 
arrived  was  Eaftingtan,  the  prefent 
habitation  of  Mr.  Qarland%  fteward 
or  agent  to  the  proprietors  of  the 
Purbeck  quarries,  who  immediately 

§ot  together  the  workmen  under  his 
irection,,  and  with  the  moft  zealous 
ai;d  animated  humanity,  exerted 
every  effort  for  the  preservation  of 
the  lurviving  crew  of  this  unfortu- 
nate fhip  j  ropes  were  procured  with 
all  poffible  difpatch,  and  every  pre- 
caution taken  that  affiftance  fhould 
be  fpeedily  and  effectually  given  j 
and  we  are  happy ,  in  this  opportu- 
nity of  bearing  teftimony,  under 
the  authority  of  the  principal  fur- 
viving  officers,  to  the  kind,  bene- 
volent, and  Spirited  behaviour  of  this 
gentleman,  whofe  conduct  on  the 
melancholy  occalion  entitles  him  to 
*  univerfal  refpect  and  regard,  as  well 
as  to  the  particular  gratitude  of  thofe 
who  were  the  immediate  objects  of 
his  philanthropy. 

"  Mr,,  Meriton  made  the  at- 
tempt, and  almoft  reached  the  edge 
of  the  precipice  \  a  foldier  who 
preceded  him,  had  his  feet  on  a 
frnall  projecting  rock  or  ftone,  and 
on  the  fame  ftone  Mr.  Meriton  had 
fattened  his  hands  to  help  his  pro- 
grefs ;  at  this  critical  moment  the 
quarry- men  arrived,  and  feeing  a 


man  fo  nearly  within  their  reach, 
they  dropped  a  rope  to  himj  of  which 
he  immediately  laid  hold,  and  in  3 
vigorous  effort  to  'avail  himfelf  of 
this  advantage,  he  loofened  the  ftone 
Oty  which  he  ,ftood,  which  giving 
way,  Mr,  Meriton  muft  have  been 
precipitated  to  the  bottom,,  but  that 
a  rope  was  providentially  lowered  , 
to  him  at  the  inftant,  which  he  feiz- 
ed  as  he  was  in  the  a6t  of  falling, 
and  was  fafely  drawn  to  the  fum- 
mit. 

"  The  fate  of  Mr.  Brimer  was 
peculiarly  fevere  -,  this  gentleman, 
who  had  only  been  married  nine  days 
before  the  fhip  failed  to  a  beautiful 
lady,  the  daughter  of  captain  Nor- 
man, of  the  royal  navy,  in  which 
fervice  Mr.  Brimer  was  a  lieute- 
nant, but  was  now  on  a  voyage  to 
vifit  an  uncle  at  Madras,  came  oa 
fhore,  as  we  have  already  obfervecU 
with  Mr.  Rogers,  and  like  him  got  / 
up  the  fide  of  a  cavern,  where  he 
remained  till  the  morning,  when  he 
crawled  out,  and  a  rope  being  thrown, 
to  him,  he  was  either  fo  benumbed 
with  the  cold  as  to  faften  it  about 
him  improperly,  or  fo  agitated,  as  to 
neglect  making  it  fait  at  ajl ;  but 
from  which  ever  caufe.it  arofe,  the 
effect  was  fatal  to  him  -x  at  the  mo- 
ment of  his  fuppofed  prefervation  he 
fell  from  his  ftand,  and  was  unfor- 
tunately dafhed  to  pieces,  in  the  pre- 
fence  of  thofe  who  could  only  lament 
the  deplorable  fate  of  an  amiable 
and  worthy  man*  and  an  able  and 
tkilful'  officer. 

"  As  the  day  advanced,  more  af- 
fiftanc,e  was  obtained  -,  and  as  the 
life-preferving  efforts  of  the  fur- 
vivors  would  admit*  they  crawled 
to  the  extremities  of  the^  cavern, 
and  prefented  themfelves  to  their 
preservers  above,  who  flood  prepared 
with  the  means  Which  the  fituation 

[**]  4       '  would 


igitizedbyCiOO* 


*3*]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


would  permit  them  to  exercife,  to 
^help  tnem  to  the  fumrnit. 

"  The  method  of  affording  this 
help  was  Angular,  and  does  honour 
to  the  humanity  and  intrepidity  of 
the  quarry-men.  The  diflance  from 
the  top  of  the  rock  to  the  cavern 
was  at  Jeaft  ioo  feet*  with  a  pro- 
jection of  the  former  of  about  eight 
fcetj  ten  of  thefe  forrned  a  decli- 
vity to  the  edge,  and  the  remainder 
of  it  was  perpendicular.  On  the 
very  brink  of  the  precipice  flood 
two  daring  fellows,  a  rope  being 
tied  round  them,  and  fattened  above 
to  a  ftronff  iron  bar  fixed  in  the 
ground,  behind  them  in  like  man- 
ner two  more,  arid  two  more.  A 
flronc  rope  alfo,  properly  fecured, 
pafled  between  them,  by  which  they 
might  hold  and  fupport  themfelves 
from  falling;  they  then  let  down 
another  rope,  with  a  noofe  ready 
fixt*l,_  below  the  cavern  5  and  the 
wind  blowing  hard,  it  was  in  fome 
inllances  forced  under  the  project- 
ing rock  furficiently  for  the  fufferers 
to  reach  it  without  crawling  to  the 
extremity  j  in  either  cafe,  whoever 
laid  hold  of  it,  put  the  noofe  round 
hiswaifl,and  after  efcaping from  one 
clement,  committed  himfelf,  full 
fwing  to  another,  in  which  he  dan- 
gled till  he  was  drawn  up  with  great 
care  and  Caution. 

"  It  is  but  juftice  in  this  place  to 
fay,  that  the  iurvivors  received  the 
friendly  and  humane  alfiitance  of 
Mr.  Jones  and  Mr.  Hawker,  gen- 
tlemen refident  near  the  fpot. 

"  But  in  this  attempt  many,  fliared 
the  fate  of  the  unfortunate  Mr. 
Brimer ;  and  unable,  through  cold, 
yeaknefs,  perturbation  of  mind,  or 
the  incommodioulnefs  of  the  Hat  ions 
they  occupied,  to  avail  themfelves 
<>f  the  iuccour  which  was  offered 
jbem,  were  at  lafl  piecipitated  from 


the  ftupendous  cliff,  and  were  either 
dafhed  to  pieces,  on  the  rocks  be- 
neath, or  falling  into  the  furge,  pen 
rifhed  in  the  wav£ s. 

"  Among  thefe  unhappy  fufferers^ 
the  deftiny  of  a  drummer  belong- 
ing to  the  military  on  board  the 
Halfewell,  was  attended  with  cir- 
cumftances  of  peculiar  diftrefs ;  be- 
ing either  wafted  off  the  rock  by 
the  feas,  or  falling  into  the  furf  from  „ 
above,  he  was  carried  by  the  coun- 
ter-feas  or  returning  waves,  beyond 
the  breakers,  within  which  his  ut-.  ' 
moil  efforts  could  never  again  bring 
him,  but  he  was  drawn  further  out 
to  fea  i  and  as  he*  fwam  remarkably 
well,  continued  to  ftruggle  with  the 
waves,  in  fight  of  his  pitying  com- 
panions, till  his  ftrength  was  ex* 
haufted,  and  he  funk  to  rife  no 
more. 

"  It  was  not  till  late  in  the  day 
that  the  furvivors  were  all  conveyed 
to  fafety ;  one  indeed,  William  Tren- 
ton, a  foldier,  remained  on  his  pe* 
rilous  (land  till  the  morning  of  Sa- 
turday the  7th  of  January,  expofed- 
to  the  united  horrors  of  the  ex-  • 
tremeft  peribnal  danger,  and  the 
rhoft  acute  difquietude  of  mind;  nor 
is  it  eafy  to  conceive  howhis  itreflgth 
and  fpirits  could  have  fupported 
him  for  fuch  a  number  of  hours,  un- 
der diilrefs  fo  poignant  and  com- 
plicated. 

"  Though  the  remains"  of  the 
wreck  were  no  longer  difcoverable 
among  the  rocks,  yet  the  furface  of 
the  fea  was  covered  with  the  frag- 
ments as  far  almofl  as  the  eye  could 
reach ;  and  even  fo  late  as  ten  o'clock 
on  the  Friday  morning,  a  lheep,  part 
of  the  live  flock  of  the  unfortunate 
officers,  was  obierved  buffeting  ihe 
angry  waves.         v 

"  The  furviving  officers,  feamen, 
and  *  foldiers,  being  now  affemblecl 

at 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


APPENDIX  to  tta  CHRONICLE,         [233 


~*t  the  houfe  of  their  benevolent 
friend,  Mr.  Garland,  they  were 
Hindered,  and  fonnd  to  amount  to 
feventy^four;  out  of  rather  more 
than  two  hundred  and  forty,  which 
was  about  the  number  of  the  crew 
and  paJftengers  in  the  ihip  when  ihe 
failed  through  the  Downs  ;  of  the 
Temainder,  who  unhappily  loft  their 
lives,  upwards  of  feventy  are  fup- 
pofed  to  have  reachfed  the  rocks,  .but 
to  have  been  waihed  off,  or  to  perilh 
in  falling  from  the  cliffs,  /and  fifty 
pr  more  to  have  funk  with  the  cap- 
tain and  the  ladies  in  the  round - 
houfe,  when  the  after-part  of  the 
jjhip  went  to  pieces. 

"  All  thpfe  who  reached  the  fumr 
rnit  furvived*  except  two  or  three, 
who  are  fuppofe^  to  have  expired  in 
drawing  up,  and  a  black,  who  died 
in  a  few  hours  after  he  was  brought 
to  the  houfe,  though  many  pf  them 
were  fp  miferably  b^uifed  that  their 
lives  were  doubtful,  and  t^ey  are 
fcarcely  yet  recovered." 


On  the  2d  of  Augnft  the  following 
Article  appeared  in  a  London  Ga-: 
scette  Extraordinary. 

.  St.  James's,  Auguft  2. 
"  r  I  ^HIS  morning,  as  his  majefty 
JL  was  alighting  from  his  car- 
riage, at  the  gate  of  the  palace,  a 
woman  who  was  waiting  there,  under 
pretence  of  prefenting  a  petition, 
ftruck  athismajefty  with  a  knife,  but 
providentially  his  majefty  received 
no  injury.  The  woman  was  immedi- 
ately taken  into  cuftody,  and  upon 
examination,  appears  to  be  infane." 

The  eirenmftanees  attending  this 
alarming  event  are  thus  related  : 
As  the  king  was  alighting  from  his 
poft-chariot,  at  the  garden  entrance 
of  St.  James's,  the  woman,  who  ap- 


peared very  decently  drefted,  in  tl*& 
ad  of  prefenting  a  papef  to  his  ma*, 
jefty,  which  he  was  receiving  with, 
great  condefceniion,  (truck  a  con- 
cealed knife  at  his  breaft,  which  hi* 
majefty  happily  avoided  by  drawn 
ing  back.  As  the  was  making  $ 
fecpnd  throft,  one  of  the  yeomen 
caught  her  arm,  and,  at  the  fame 
inftant,  one  of  the  king's  ibotmen 
wrenched  the  knife  from  her  hand. 
The  king,  with  great  temper  andt 
fortitude  exclaimed,  "  I  am  not  hurfc 
— take  care  of  the  poor  woman— da 
not  hurt  her." 

The  fame  day  flie  underwent  an 
examination  hefore  the*  privy  coun- 
cil, when  it  appeared  that  her  name 
Was  Margaret  Nicholfon,  daughter 
of  George  Nicholfon;  of  Stockton* 
uppn-Tees  \  and  that  flie  had  liyed 
in  feveral  creditable  fervices.  Beings 
alked  where  (he  had  lived"  fince  lhc 
left  her  laft  place  ?  ihe  anfwered 
fraaticly,  "  Ihe  had  been  alt 
abroad  fince  that  matter  of  the 
crown  broke  out/' — Being  alked 
what  matter  ?  ihe  went  on  rambling, 
that  the  crown  was  hers-;— ihe  want- 
ed nothing  but  her  right— that  ihe 
had  great  property— that  if  ihe  had 
not  her  right,  England,  would  be 
drowned  in  blood  for. a  thoufand 
generations.  Bu\i£  further  alked 
where  ihe  now  lived,  ihe  anfwered 
rationally,  <e  At  Mr.  Fiik's,  ftatio- 
ner,  the  corner  of  Wigmore-ftreet, 
Marybone."  On  beingv  questioned 
as  to  her  right,  il>e  would  anfwer 
none  but  a  judge,  her  rights  were  a 
myftery.  Being  alked,  if  ihe  had 
ever  petitioned  ?  ihe  faid,  ihe  had,  ten 
days  ago.  On  looking  back  among 
the  papers,  fuch  petition  was  found, 
full  of  princely  nonfenfe  about  ty- 
rants, uluipers,  and  pretenders  to 
the  throne,  Sec.  &c.  -    • 

Mr.  Fiik  being  fent  for  and  in- 
terrogated* 


3QK 


*34l      ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 


tcrrogated,  faid  (he  had  lodged  with 
him  about  three  years  ;  that  he  had 
not  obferved  any  ftriking  marks  of 
hrianity  about  her — lhe  was  certaih- 
.  Iy  very  odd  at  times—  frequently 
talking  to  herfelf— that  fhe  lived  by 
taking  in  plain  work,  &c.  Others 
who  knew  her,  faid,  fhe  was  very 
induftrious,  and  they  never  fufpecl- 
*d  her  of  infanity. 

Dr.  Monro  being  fent  for,  faid, 
it  was  impoflible  to  difcover  with 
certainty  immediately  whether  ffie 
was  infane  or  not.  It  was  propos- 
ed to  commit  her  for  three  or  four 
days  tOiTothillfields  Bridewell.  This 
was  objected  to,  becaufe  it  was  faid 
fhe  was  a  ftate- prifoner.  At  length 
it  was  agreed  to  commit  her  to  the 
cuftody  of  a  meflenger. 
.  Her  lodgings  being  examined, 
there  were  found  three  letters  about 
ber  pretended  right  to  the  crown, 
one  to  lord  Mansfield,  one  to  lord 
Loughborough,  and  one  to  general 
Bramham.  * 

Aug.  12.  Between  the  2d  ittftant 
and  this  day,  Magararet  Nicholfon 
underwent  fome  further  examina- 
tion, the  refult  of  which  appeared  in 
the  following  article : 

"  Whitehall,  Aug.  8,  1786. 

PRESENT, 
The  lords  of  his  majefty's  mod  ho- 
nourable privy  council. 
This  day  Margaret  Nicholfon,  in 
cuftody  for  an  attempt  on  his  majef- 
brought  before  the 
jfty's  moft  honour- 
il,  and  after  a  full 
Dr.  John  and  Dr. 
and  feveral  other 
rning  the,  ftate  of 
11  now  as  for  fome 
Ifo  after  examining 
iret    Nicholfon   in 
dfliips  were  clearly 


and  xmanimoufly  of  opinion,  that 
fhe  was  and  is  infane. 

W.  FAWKEfcEH." 

In  cbniequence  of  this1  determi- 
nation, -the  unhappy  woman  was 
conveyed,  on  the  9th  inftant,  to  a 
cell  prepared  for  her  in  Bethlehem 
Hofpital. 

The  following  letters  are  faid  to  have 
been  written  by  the  late  king  of 
Pruflia,  on  the  death  of  colonel p  Van- 
trofeke,  a  <very  'valuable  officer  in 
his  fervice^  to  the  ividotw  of  that 
officer* 

Letter  I. 
"  HHHE  death  of  colonel  Van- 
X  trofeke,  your  huiband, 
commanding  the  regiment  of  Old 
Waldeck,  has  affected  me  in  a  very 
particular  manner.  By  his  death  I 
am  deprived  of  a  brave  and  good 
officer  5  fuch  was  the  reputation  he 
enjoyed  univerfally,  and  I  know  fulj 
well  how  to  value  the  important  fer- 
vices  he  has  rendered  me.  The  in- 
fignia  of  the  order  of  Merit  which 
he  received  from  me,  and  which  you 
return,  with  thanks  to  me  for  the 
favours  I  had  conferred  on  him, 
will  remain  for  you  and  your  chil- 
dren everlaftirig  tokens  of  the  well- 
earned  diftin&ion  which  he  received 
at  my  hands.  But  I  ihall  not  ftqp 
here  5  you  may,  on  the  contrary* 
reft  allured,  that  I  certainly  will 
neither  forget  the  widow  of  fo  de- 
ferring an  officer,  nor  the  children 
that  he  has  left  behind.  Let  me 
know,  without  any  referve,  the  real 
ftate  of  your  domeftic  concerns  at 
the  moment  of  his  death,  the  num- 
ber and  age  of  your  children.  Com* 
municate  this  matter  to  me,  as  to 
one  ever  difpofcd  to  give  you  a  proof 
of  his  benevolence."  ' 
Fotfdam,  Jan  %\.      ■ 


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APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE.        [135 


In  the  king's  own  hand. 
.  '"  P.  S.  I  have  honoured  your  huf- 
band,  'as  the  model  of  an  excellent 
officer ;  but  fince,  alas !  he  is  no 
more,  I  fhall  be  to  his  children  a 
father :  I  mean  to  do  for  them  and 
his  widow  all  that  a  parent  could 
have  done ;  let  me  have  only  the 
true  (late  of  your  means,  and  I  en- 
gage to  do  the  needful  for  the  fatis- 
faction  of  the  family." 

Letter  II. 
"  I  SHALL  between  this  and 
next  Trinity  lay  out  20,000  rix- 
dollars  in  the  purchafe  of  an  eftate 
for  your  three  children,  the  whole 
direction  and  management  of  which 
fhall  remain  in  your  hands,.  You 
mult  apply  to  the  eccleiiaftical  de- 
partment, to  fee  whether  there  be 
two  vacancies  in  a  nunnery  within 
the  county  of  Cleves,  or  the  pro- 
vince of  Wefiphalia,  for  your  two 
young  ladiesj  when  marriageable, 
I  ihall  take  them  away,  and  fettle 
them  in  the  world. 

(§igned)         Frederic" 


An  Account  of  the  Trial  of  peorge 
Robert  Fitzgerald,  Ef quire,  and 
his  Ajfbciates,  at  Caftlebar,  in 
the  County  of  Mayo,  (Ireland) 
.fir  the  Murder  of  Patrick  Randal 
M'Donnell,  Efq. 

MR.  Fitzgerald,  was  brought  to 
the  bar  at  half  after  eight 
o  clock- . in  the  morning  of  Friday, 
June  9,  and  given  in  charge  to  the 
jury,  but  -not  arraigned,  he  having 
•pleaded  Aot  <#«.//),  in  April  laft. 
He  challenged  fifteen  of  the  jury 
peremptorily,  and  the  right  hon. 
the  attorney  general  alfo  chal- 
lenged fuch.  of  the  jury  as-  he  was 
r  informed  flood  in  any  degree  of  re- 
Jationfhip  to  the  deceafed  5  an  ho- 


nourable and  uncommon  proof of the 
denre^to  fee  juftice  administered, 
without  the  partiality  of  prejudice. 

The  jury  being  fworn,  and  the 
attorney  general  having  opened 
the  prof  ecu  tion  with  great  clear* 
nefs,  propriety,  and  ability,  the  - 
following  evidence  was  fubmitted  to 
the  court  .   *  '      1        ' 

[The  fir  ft  witnefs  called  upon  wajf 
Mr.  Gallagher  -,  who,  being  firfc 
duly  fworn,  was  interrogated, 
and  depofed  as  follows  :] 

Q.  JVlr.  Gallagher*  do  you  re* 
member  the  20th  of  February?  — 
A.  I  do,  $uv  I  have  a  very  juft 
right. 

Q.  Prav,  Sir,  did  you  know  Mn 
Patrick  Randal  M'Donnell  ?~-A.  I 
did,  Sir. 

QL.  Is  he  living  or  dead?-* A. 
He  is  dead,  Sir. 

Q.  Will  you  pleafe  to  relate  to 
the  court,  and  the  jury,  from  your 
own  knowledge,  how  he  came  by 
his  death,  and  keep  your  recital  as 
ditiinft  from  Hipfon  as  you  can,  as 
the  prefent  indictment  only  con- 
cerns Mr.  McDonnell. — A.  I  will> 
Sir.  Mr.  McDonnell,  the  deceas- 
ed, and  Mr.  Fitzgerald,  ithe  pri- 
lbner  at  the  bar,  Jived  near  each 
other  -,  they  had  frequent  bicker* 
ings  and  difagreements ;  in  confe- 
quence  whereof  Mr.  Fitzgerald 
made  many  attempts  to  be" revenged  v 
on  Mr.  M'Dounell,  for  ibme  lup- 
pofed  offence.'  Mr.  M'Dounell, 
about  eighteen  months  ago,  was 
fired  at  from  a  window  in  Mr.  Fitz- 
gerald's houie,  which  ihot  took 
place,  and  wounded  Mr.  M'Donnell 
in  the  leg ;  for  this  aifault  a  man 
was  indicted  the  aflizes  following  at 
Oaltiebar,  and  acquitted  5  in  confe- 
quence  of  whielv  Mr.  Fitzgeral4 
levelled  his  reientiuent  not . only  a^ 

gainft 


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*j6)      ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786. 


gainff  Mr.  M'Donnell,  but  aha 
fgainft  Mr.  Charles  Hipfon,  who 
was  murdered  af  the  fame  time  with 
Mr.  M'Donnell,  and  again  ft  me  j 
I  fuppofe  for  our  ufing  our  utmofl 
endeavours  to  bring  to  juftice  the 
perfon  who  fired  at  Mr,  M'Don- 
nell, the  deeeafed.  On  the  20th 
of  February  laft, '  Mr.  M'Donnell 
called  upon  me  in  the  morning,  in 
company  with  Mr.  Hipfon,  and  re- 
queued I  would  go  with  them  to 
Mr.  M'DonnelFs  houfe,-  as  be,  Mr. 
M'Donnell,  withed  to  give  fome 
toeceffary  directions  to. his  feryarits, 
then  at  his  houfe  in  the  country  j  for 
Mr.  M'Donnell  declared  to  me  he 
could  not  live  in  his  houfe  at  Chan- 
cery-hall, in  the  county  of  Mayo, 
feeing  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Mr. 
Fitzgerald,  whom  he  reprefented  as 
a.  blood-jthirfty,  unforgiving  man  5 
*  and  accordingly  took  lodgings  in 
the  town  of  Caitlebar  to  avoid  him. 
We  rode  off  together,  and,  as  we 
afterwards  heard,  about  ten  o'clock, 
Mr.  Fitzgerald  getting  information 
ixf  our  being  there,  fent  out  a  party 
to  apprehend  us  on  a  warrant,  fur- 
rep  trtioufly  obtained  from  a  Mr. 
O'Meally  (whom  I  iince  underftand 
lias  been  degraded  from  his  com- 
mimon)  for  a  fuppofed  affault.  £m 
our  receiving  information  that  our 
enemy  was  in  purfuit  of  us,  we  rode 
off  from  Mr.  M'Donnell's,  Chan- 
cery thall,  but  finding  ourfelves  puis 
fued,  we  Hopped  at  a  houfe  on  the 
•road 5 -and  I  knowing  the  refent-* 
,  ment  was  principally  levelled  at 
^lr.  M'Donnell,  perfuaded  him  to 
conceal  himfelf  under  fome  malt, 
which  he  did  5  and  in  a  fhort  time 
Mr.  Fitzgerald's  party  came  up  to 
the  hbufe,  and  after  firing  feveral 
ihot  in  at  us,  I  went  out,  and  de- 
manded the  reafon  that  they  behav- 
ed with  fuch  outrage  and  violence  ? 


To  which  they  replied  (John  Fulton 
and  Craig)  that  they  had  warrants 
againft  Mr.  M'Donnell,  Mr.  Hip- 
fon, and  rayfelf,  but  vehemently 
demanded  Mr.  M'Donnell.  I  in* 
formed  them  that  he  had  rode  off, 
and  demanded  to  fee  their  warrants  j 
which  they  refufed,  but  burft  into 
the  houfe,  and  after  fearcning  the 
houfe  ahd.out-houfes,  they  found 
Mr.  M'Donnell,  and  dragged  him 
out  j  they  then  tied  and  brought  us 
bound  to  Mr.  Fitzgerald's,  at  Rock- 
field;  when  we  arrived  there,  we 
alledged,  that  the  crime  we  were 
aceufed  of  was  at  any^rate  baila* 
ble,  and  demanded  tp  be  brought 
before  a  magiftrate,  which  was  re- 
fufed, and  we  were  kept  at  Mr, 
Fitzgerald's  houfe  that  night,  they 
pretending  it  was  too  late  then  to 
bring  us  before  a  magiftrate. — We 
remained  there  that  night,  and  were 
treated  with  the  greateft  indignity 
and  infult.  In  carrying  us  prifon-. 
ers  to  Mr.  Fitzgerald's,  they  fuf* 
fered  Mr,  M'Donnell  to  ride,  on 
account  of  the  wound  in,  his  leg* 
but  tied  Mr.  Hrpfon  and  me  toge-. 
ther.  On  the  morning  of ^ the  21ft 
of  February,  we  were  Drought  out 
from  Mr.  Fitzgerald's  under  a* 
guard,  which  flood  ready  to  receive 
us;  and  I  heard  Mr.  Fitzgerald* 
the  prifoner  at  the  bar,  tell  Andrew 
Craig,  who  fc  commonly  called 
Scotch  Andrew,  "  to  be  fure  to  le-t 
cure  his  prisoners ;  and  if  there  was* 
a  refcue,  to  fhoot  them." — We 
were  then  led  about  two  or  three 
hundred  yards  from  the  houfe,  when 
Andrew  Craig  called  out,  "  A  reft 
cue !  a  refcue !"  on  which  a  Ihot 
was  immediately  fired  from  the  rear^ 
which  killed  one  of  Mr.  Fitzge- 
rald's guard,  and  wounded  three  or 
four  more ;  the  fire  then  foon'  be- 
came general,  and  Mr.  M'Donnell 
receive^ 


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APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE. 


037 


received  a  Around  in  the  arm,  and    [Next  evidence  produced  was  An* 


Mr.  Hipfon  and  I  received  wounds, 
when  we  both  fell,  and  I  endea- 
voured to  crawl  into  fome  fern  that 
wa«?  near  me,  and  to  conceal  ray- 
felf.  Mr.  M'Donnell's  horfe  took 
fright  after  the  rider  had  been  {hot 
in  the  arm,  and  carried  him  a  few 
yards  on-  when,  juft  at  a  bridge, 
he  was  feized  by  a  perfqn  fixed  there 
for  the  purpofe,  as  there  were  guards 
fixed  at  all  the  pafies,  and  Andrew 
Craig  fired  at  him,  and  fhot  him 
through  the  body,  oh  which  he  fell, 
and  if  any  life  remained  in  him,  it 
^was  beat  out  by  the  butt  end  of  a 
piftol,  and  die  butt  end  of  muf- 
kets  :  they  then  fired  at  and  killed 
Hipfon,  and  coming  up  to  where  I 
was,  they  were  going  to  (hoot  me, 
when  one  of  them  exclaimed,  "  We 
have  no  orders  to  kill  him !"  which 
•faved  my  life.  I  was  re-taken  to 
Fitzgerald's  houfe,  where  I  was  af- 
terwards related  by  my  friends. 
,.  Q.  Do  you 'fee  any  perfons  now 
in  court  whom  you  can  pofitively 
fwear  were  prefent  at  this  outrage  ? 
— A.  I  can  pofitively  fwear  that 
Mr.  Fitzgerald  was  prefent  at  our 
fetting  out,  and  that  I  heard  him 
.give  the  directions  I  have  men- 
i  tioned  to  Andrew  Craig  ;  and  that 
he  had  a  blunderbuis  Hung  under 
his  arm. ' 

Croft  exambud. 

Q.  Was  Mr.  Fitzgerald  prefent 
when  you  were  firfi  apprehended 
under  the  warrant  of  Mr.  O'Meally  ? 
— A.  He  was  not  that  I  faw  j  I  did 
not  Jee  him  till  I  was  brought  to  his 
hou(e, 

•  Q.  Did  you  fee  him  fire  at  Mr, 
M'Donnell,  Mr.  Hipfon,  or  you  ? 
—A,  No ;  I  only  faw  him  give  the 
directions  to  Andrew  Craig,  that  I 
have  mentioned. 


drew    Craig,    commonly   called 

Scotch  Andrew-^who  being  duly 

fworn  and  examined,  deposed  a& 

follows :] 

Qti  Where  did  you  live  in  the 
month  of  February  laft?— -A.  With 
Mr.  Fitzgerald,  the  prifoner  at  the 
bar.,     ' 

Q.  Did  you  get  any  directions 
from  him*  on  that  day  to  do  an/ 
thing  particular  ? — A.  I  did. 

Gt.  Now,  fir,  relate  to  the  court 
and  the  jury  the  particulars  of  thofe 
directions,  as  you  know  from  your 
own  knowledge. — A.  On  the  aoth 
of  February  laft  we  received  infor- 
mation that  Mr.  M'Donnell,  the 
deceased,  in  company  with  Mr* 
Hipfon  and  Mr.  Gallagher,  were 
at  Mr.  M'DonnelFs  .  houfe ;  Mr* 
Fitzgerald  then  called  to  me,  and. 
in  the  prefence  of  John  Fulton  and 
— [Here  he  was  interrupted  by  the 
counfel,  who  told  him  he  was  not 
to  mention  any  perfon  who  was  not 
then  upon  his  trial.]— Mr.  Fitz-* 
gerald  defired  me  to  go  and  appro* 
hend  them  on  a  warrant  he  had  ob- 
tained from  Mr.  Jufitcc  OMealley, 
and  to  bring  them  to  Rockfield  ;  I 
was  employed  by  Mr.  Fitzgerald, 
as  he  always  employed  me  in  all 
his  enormities. — [Here  he  was  inter- 
rupted, and  defired  to  confine  him- 
felf  to  the  queftion  now  before  the 
court,  and  nof  to  enter  into  any 
extraneous  matters]/  —  We  then 
brought  Mr.  M'Donnell/  Mr.  Hip- 
fon, and  Mr.  Gallagher  (the  gen- 
tleman that  was  examined  here) 
prifoners  to  Rockfield.  The  next 
morning  we  fettled  about  the  plan 
of  murdering  them — [Here  he  was 
interrupted  by  the  queftion,  Who 
fettled  it?  and  he  continued:]—- 
Mr*  Fitzgerald,  Mr.  TimotbyBreck-* 
nock,  Mr.  John  Fulton,  and  rny- 

•     felfk 


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a38]      ANNUAL    R  EC  I  S  T  E  R,  i>86L 


fe)  f  5  we  determined  upon  the  mock 
refcue,  and  that  my  calling  out  "  A 
refcue  Y%  fhould  be  the  word  of  com- 
mand for  thofe  in  the  rear  to  fire, 
which  they  accordingly  did.  We 
determined  to  place  fpies  at  the  dif- 
ferent pafles  to  prevent  an  efcape  $ 
and  on  Mr.  McDonnell's  horfe  run- 
ning away  with  him  after  the  firft 
fire,  when  he  was  (hot  in  the  arm, 
I  came  up  with  him  .on  his  being 
{lopped,  and  fired  at  him.' 

QL.  Did  you  receive  inftru&ions 
from  any  in  court,  and  whom,  to  per- 
petrate this  horrid  ad  ?— A.  I  did1, 
from  Mr.  Fitzgerald  himfelf,  both 
before  we  went  off,  and  as  we  were 
going  out.  He  fa  id  to  me,  "  Secure' 
the  prifoners  5  and  if  there  fhould  be 
a  refcue;  or  an  attempt  to  refcue, 
ihoot  them." 

Q.  Was  the  fcheme  of  the  refcue 
planned  or  not,  and  by  whom  ? — 
A.  It  was  planned  by  Mr.  Fitzgerald 
and  thofe  I  have  mentioned,  and 
myfelf  among  the  reft ;  but  thofe 
were  only  privy  to  it ;'  the  reft  were 
to  attend  as  a  guard,  to  fee  them 
lodged  fafe. 

Q.  I  now  afk  you  on  your  oath, 
was  the  refcue  a  real  one,  or  a  fic- 
titious one,  planned  as  you  fay  ?— 
A.  It  was  a  fictitious  one,- planned  to 
commit  the  murder. 

Q.  Was  that  the  purpofeof  it,  on 
your  oath  ? — A.  On  my  oath  it  was 
for  no  other  purpofe,  but  for  an  ex- 
cufe  to  murder  Mr.  M'Donnell  5  and 
it  was  pre-concerted  before  we  went 
out,  that  a  man  fhould  be  placed  in 
an  advantageous  fpot,  to  fire  at  Mr. 
Fitzgerald's  own  men,  to  make  them 
imagine  the  refcue  was  intended, 
except  thofe  that  were  privy  to  the 
fcheme. 

Q.  Was  Mr.  M'Donncll  murder- 
ed in  confequence  of  the  plan  you 
have  mentioned?—  A.  He  was. 


[Craig  was  then  crofs-examined  J 
f imply,  to  whether  Mr.  Fitzgerald 
fired  at  any  of  the  people  murder- 
ed ?  To  which  he  anfwered,  he 
*  believed  he  did  not ;  for  it  was  be- 
fore determined,  that  he  (Craig) 
fhould  murder  him,  or  fee  it  done 
by  others.]  - 

Here  clofed  the  examination  on 
the  part  of  the  crown  $  and  on  Mr. 
Fitzgerald  being  called  upon,  and 
told}/then  was  the  time  for  him  to 
make  his  defence,  he  replied,  he 
would  leave  every  thing  to  his  coun- 
fel  employed  for  him. 

His  leading  counfel  then  men- 
tioned, that  they  would  call  a  num-1 
ber  of  witneffes  to  prove  aw  alibi  on 
the  part  of  Mr,  Fitzgerald. 

Several  witneffes  were  then  called 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  Fitzgerald,  and 
all  tended  to  the  lame  alibi,  of  his 
not  being  prefent  the  time  the  ac- 
tual murders  were  committed ;  but 
proved  nothing  as  to  the  direc- 
tions and  pre-concerted  fcheme9 
laid  for  the  deu;ru6Hon  of  Mr. 
M'Donnell. 

THE    CHARQE. 

The  prefent  is  one  of  the  moft 
momentous  and  important  trials 
that  ever  came  before  a  court  5  and 
through  the  whole  of  this  melan- 
choly bufinefs,  every  feeling  mind 
muft  be  happy  to  perceive  that  im- 
partiality and  temperance  which  has 
diftinguifhed  the  conduct  of  thofe 
who  were  appointed  to  bring  to  juf- 
tice  the  authors  of  a  deed  not  lefs 
horrible  than  degrading  to  human 
nature  :  and  however  inclinable  I 
may  be  to  lean  to  the  fide  of  mercy 
in  all  criminal  cafes,  yet  in  the  pre- 
fent cafe,  I  mul^confefs  that  fuch  ag- 
gravated guilt  never  appeared  before 
me.  .  It 'is  far  from  my  intention'or 
\v:iih  that  any  thing  I  could  this  day 

fay 


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APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE. 


[*39 


•fey  to  you  (bduld  bias  your  opinion ; 
you  are  gentlemen  of  confeqnence 
in  this  county,  and  I  am  firmly 
perfuaded  of  the  ftricteft  impartia- 
lity, and  your  verdict  of  conlequence 
muft  be  the  refult  of  juftice.  You 
are  in  pofleflion  of  eftablimed  facts* 
from  which  you  will  doubtlefs  draw 
fair  inferences,  untarniihed  with  any 
unfavourable  opinion  whickyou  may 
have  previoufly  received  again  ft  the 
prilbner  now  upon  his  trial,  and  en- 
tirely uninfluenced  by  any  impref- 
fion  which  an  affair  that  has  been 
reprefented  in  the  molt  fhocjdng  co- 
lours, both  in  private  conversions 
and  in  the  public  prints,  mufl  have 
nude  on  you. 

;  Tis  not  my  province  to  prefcribe 
the  neceflary  verdict  for  you  to  bring 
ill ;  you  are  as  good  judges  of  the 
|acts  which  appear  before  you  as  I 
am,  and  by  thofe  rauft  be  directed  $ 
if  any  doubt  as  to  any  point  of  law 
occurs  to  yolir  mind,  I  will,  with 
pleafure,  as  will  my  brother,  ex- 
plain it,  and  give  you  every  afiift- 
ance  $  and  from  my  knowledge  'of 
you,  I  again  repeat,  your  determi- 
nation will  be  the  refult  of  wifdom, 
impartiality,  and  juftice.  The  fpirit 
of  die  laws  may  fometimesbc  ftretch- 
ed  to  a  mi  (taken  tendernefs,  and 
there  are  inftances  where  lenity  may 
be  repugnant  to  juftice. 
..  The  jury  retired,  after  a  fitting  of 
fixteen- hours,  and  in  fourteen  mi- 
nutes brought  in  their  verdict,  guilty. 

On  Saturday  the  ioth,  John  Ful- 
ton, William  Fulton,  Archibald 
Newing,  or  Ewing,  John  Reheney, 
and  David  Simpfon,  were  alfo  found 
guilty,  upon  two  indictments,  Ibr 
the  murder  of  Patrick  Randal  M'* 
Donnell  and  Charles  Hipfon. 

And,  feme  day,  James  Foy,  John 
Cox,  James  Mafterfon,  David  Sal- 


try,  otberwife  Simpfon,  Philip  Cox; . 
John   Berney,    Humphry   George, 
Michael    Brue^n,    William    Robin, 
and  Wallis  Kelly,    were  feverally 
acquitted  of  the  faid  murder. 

After  which  trials,  the  right  hon; 
the  Attorney  General  informed  tht 
court,  that  he  was  given  to  underi 
ftand  a  motion  was  intended  to  be 
made  in  arreft  of  judgment.  He 
den* red  that  Mr.  Fitzgerald  might 
be  brought  up,  and  the  motion  gone 
into.  Mr.  Fitzgerald's  >  leading 
counfel  faid,  they  faw  no  defect  in 
the  indictment  $  but  Mr.  Stanley  de- 
clared that  he  had  warm  hopes  he 
could  lliew  ground  to  arrefr  judg- 
ment, if  he  were  allowed  time  tor 
coniider  the  fubject  till  Monday* 
The  Attorney  General  called  upon 
him  to  ftate  his  objections,  which  he, 
Mr.  Stanley,  declined.  v 

The  Attornay  General  informed 
Mr  Stanley,  that  it  would  probably 
aliift  him  in  the  motion  to  arreft 
judgment,  if  he  was  informed  what 
the  indictment  was,  as  he  never  had 
hitherto  called  to  have  it  read,  but 
had  relied  on  the  fhort  abftract  of  it  ^ 
in  the  crown -book  $  accordingly,  at 
the  defire  of  the  Attorney  General, 
the  indictment  was  read  to  him;  and 
the  court,  with  remarkable  Huma- 
nity, allowed  Mr.  Stanley  tiU  Mon- 
day to  confider  his  motion. 

Monday,  Jane  12. 

This  day  Timothy  Brecknock, 
was  called  upon  to  take  his  trial,  and' 
given  in  charge  to  the  jury  upon  two 
indictments,  for  confpiring  and^pro- 
curing  the  death  of  Patrick  Randal* 
M' Donnell  and  Charles  Hipfon.- 
The  evidence  having  fully  leftablifh-. 
ed  the  charges  in  the  indictments, 
the  jury  found  him  guilty.  . 

After  Brecknock's  conviction,  the 
Chief  Baron  ordered  the  clerk  of 

the 


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«4<>]     ANNUAL  RE  GI  S  T  E  R,  17*6. 


♦  the  grown  to  call  up  forfentence 
thofeperfonswhohadbeen  convi&ed 
of  a&ually  perpetrating  the  murder  $ 
-which  fentence  he  then  paffed  upon 
John  Fulton  and  his  other  affociatei, 
in  the  moft  affe&ing  manner. 

The  Chief  Baron  then  defired  to 
know  of  Mr.  Stanley,  whether  he' 
meant  to  make  his  promifed  motion 
in  arreft  of  judgment?  but  at  the 
lame  time  warmly  recommended  to 
him,  unlefs  there  was  a  iblid  ground 
of  objection  to  the  indictment,  not 
to  make  his  motion,  as  it  mull  ne- 
ceiTariljr  be  made  in  Mr.  Fitzge- 
rald's prefence,  and  might  poffibly 
derange  his  feelings,  which,  he  faid, 
he  was  happy  to  hear  were  calm  and 
compofed.  Mr.  Stanley,  on  consi- 
deration, declined  to  make  any  mo- 
tion in  arreft  of  judgment. 

Mr,  Fitzgerald  was  then  brought 

to  the- bar  of  the  court,   and  the 

Chief  Baron,  after  a  preface  which 

drew  tears  from  almoft  all  who  heard 

him^on  the  enormity  of  .the  crime, 

jpon  George 

d    Timothy 

rs  for  their 

laved  withv 
a  ihort  time 
leaven.  To 
fwered,  that 
sras  fo  dread- 
fully proved . 
:  juftice  re- 
le  an  imme- 

i  -  from  the 
ix  o'clock  in 
bert  Fitzge- 
k,  and  John 
to  the  place 
ill  near  the 
where  they 


were  federally  executed  according  to 
their  fentence. 

On  Mr.  FitzgeraldV  coming  out 
of  the  prifon  he  feemed  to  be  col- 
lected, but  turning  his  eyes  on  the 
wonderful  multitude  whicn  attended 
his  execution,  he  loft  all  his  forti- 
tude, and  giving  a  fort  of  a  wild 
Ihriek,  continued  weeping  during 
his  way  to  the  fatal  fpot;  but  Breck* 
nock  feemed  at  intervals  devoted  to^ 
prayer  $  his  countenance  bore  ftrong 
traits  of  philofophy  and  innocence ; 
he  uttered'  fome  expreflions  which 
v*ere  thought  incoherent  by  the  mul* 
titude.  Brecknock  was  firfl  turned 
off,  and  met  his  fate  with  a  forti-, 
tnde  and  compofure  worthy  a  better 
caufe.  Fulton  feemed  penitent,  and 
died  with  firmnefs.  ^   ' 

After  hanging  the  ufual  time, 
they  were  feverally  cut  down,  and 
their  bodies  cut  or  fcarred. 

The  other  four  convicts,  John 
Reheny,  Archibald  Newing,  Wil- 
liam Fulton,  and  David  Simpfon, 
were  ordered  for  execution  on  a  fu- 
ture day.  * 

After  the  rerdi&  of  the  jury, 
againft  Mr.  Fitzgerald,  he  requeued 
to  have  fome  private  conference 
with  >Mr,  Browne,  the  high  fherirT? 
the  latter  contented,  on  condition  of 
having  a  friend  prefent.  WJjiat  paff- 
ed  on  the  ocean* on  did  not  tranfpirej 
but  the  iheriff  andTiis  friend  accom- 
panied him  to  the  prifon,  where, 
having  walked  about  his  room  in 
fome  perturbation,  he  threw  himfelf 
on  a  bed,  and  continued  lying  ort 
his  face  above  three  hours  and  a 
half  without  uttering  a  word.  He 
wore  a  loofe  great  coat,  and  had  his 
iead  bound  round  with  a  handker- 
chief. 

Ifefoktitot 


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APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE. 


[241 


RtfoUthns  of  the  British  Inhabitants 
at  Calcutta^  rrlatwe  to  Mr.  Pitt'x 
Eaft  India  BilL 

AT  a  meeting  of  the  Britifh  in- 
habitants of  Calcutta,  Tield 
at  the- theatre  on  Mondayftheijth 
cjf  July,  in  purfuance  of -a  public 
fammons  by  the  high  fheriff,  at  the 
requeft  of  the  grand  jury,  on  the 
15th  of  June  laft,  .for  the  purpofe 
of  taking  into  confideration  the 
propriety  and  neceffity  of  a  petition 
on  certain  -parts  of  an  ad  of  the 
34th  of  -his  prefent  raajefty,  inti- 
tuled, <c  An  ad  for  the.  better '  re- 
ie  gulation  of  the,  affairs  of  the  Eaft 
te  India  Company,  and  of  the  Britifh 
€<  pofleffions  in  India,  and  for  efta- 
"  bliihing  a  Court*  of  Judicature 
€€  for  the  more  fpeedy  and  effectual 
"  trial  of  perfons  accufed  of  of- 
"  fences  committed  in  the  Eaft  In- 
**  dies/'  the  following  refolutions 
were  propofed,  and  unanimoufly  a- 
greed  to :  v 

I.  Refolved,  That  his  majefty's 
fubjeds  in  the  Eaft  Indies  are  en- 
titled to  the  protection  and  fupport 
of  the  laws  of  England,  in ,  com- 
mon with  the  other  fubjeds  of  the 
realm. 

II.  JRefolved,  that  fo  much  of  the 
ad  of  the  24th  of  his  prefent  ma- 
jefty,  cap.  xxv.  intituled,  ts  An  ad 
"  for  the  better  regulation  and  nia- 
i(  nagement  of  the  affairs  of  the 
"  Eaft  India  Company,  and  of  the 
"/Britiih  poffeffions  in  India,  and 
"  for  eftabliihing  a  Court  of  Judi- 
"  cature  for  the  more  fpeedy  and 
"  eftedual  trial  of  perfons  accufed 
"  of  offences  committed  in  the  Eaft 
u  Indies,"  as  compels  the  fervants 
of  the  Eaft  India  company,  upon 
their  return  to  Great  Britain,  to  de- 
liver in  upon  oath  an  inventory  of 
their  whole  proper ty,  under  penal- 

Vot.  XXVIII. 


ties  of  exoe&ve  feverity,  is  griev- 
ous and  oppreffive  to  the  fervants  ef 
the  faid  company >  and  repugnant  ttf 
the  conftitution  of  our  country.  * 

III.  Refolvedj  That  theeredion 
of  a  new  tribunal  by  the  faid  ad, 
for  the  fpecial  purpofe  of  trying  of- 
fences1, charged  to  hare  been  eorfe* 
mi t ted  in  the  Eaft  Indies  $  a  tribu* 
nal  unreftrained  by  the  fettled  rules 
of  law,  and  fubjed  to  no  appeal, 
and  the  depriving  them  of  theif  un- 
doubted birthright,  the  trial  by  ju-^ 
ry,  are  violations  of  the  great  char*  ' 
ter  of  our  liberties,  and"  infringe- 
ments o#  the  raoft  facred  principles 
of  the  Britifh  conftitution.      <  c 

IV.  Refolved,  That  the  faid  ad, 
by  expofing  his  majefty's  fubjeds 
refiding  under  this  prefidency,  to 
be  fent  forcibly  to  England,  and 
there  to  be  tried  for  offences  com* 
mitted,  or  charged  to  be  committed 
by  them  within  thefe  provinces,  is 
highly  dangerdus  to  the  fecurity  o£ 

'  their  perfons  and  fortunes. 

V.  Refolved,  That  it  is  injurious 
to  the  fervants  of  the  United  Com** 
pany  to  be  fubjed,  bjrthe  faid  ad 
of  parliament,  to  be  difmiffed  from\ 
their  employments  in  the  Eaft  In- 
dies, or  to  be  recalled  at  the  plea- 
fure  of  the  crown,  which  is,  in  otheif 
words,  at  the  will  of  the  minifter. 

VI.  Refolved,  That  the  provi- 
fion  of  the  faid  ad  of  parliament, 
which  enads,  That  all  writings* 
which  fhall  have  been  tranfmitted 
from  the  Eaft  Indies  to  the  court  of 
diredors,  by  their  officers  or  fer- 
vants rerident  in  the  Eaft  Indies,  ih 
the  ufual  courfe  of  their  correfpond- 
ence  with  the  faid  court  of  diredors, 
may  be  admitted  by  the  commif- 
fioners  to  be  offered  in  evidence, 
and  (hall  not  be  deemed  inadmiifi- 
ble/.or  incompetent,  is  fubverlive  / 
of  the  ettabiiihed  rules  of  evidence, 

[3£j  »»* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


*4*1     ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


and  manifritly  dangerous  to  his  ma* 
jefty's  fubje&s  returning  from  this 
country  to  Great  Britain. 

VII.  Refolved,  That  it  is  there- 
fore becoming,  and  highly  expedi- 
ent for  his  majefry's  fcrbje&s  in 
thefe  provinces  to  endeavour  by  all 

\  legal  and  conftitutional  means  to 
« obtain  a  repeal  of  fuch  claules  in 
the  faid  ad  of  parliaments  as  im- 
pofe  thofe  and  other  hardfhips  upon 
them.  And  that  for  the  purpoie  of 
obtaining  Inch  repeal,  petitions, 
humbly  laying  our  grievances  be- 
fore his  majelty  and  the  two  houies 
of  parliament,  are  adviieable,  ne- 
ceffary,  and  proper. 

VIII.  Refolved,  That  a  com- 
mittee of  fifteen  gentlemen,  feled- 
ed  for  the  inhabitants  of  Calcutta, 

•be  appointed  to  prepare  petitions 
-to  his  roajefty  and  the  two  houfes  of 
parliament,  and  to  correfpond  with 
the  inland  ilations  *fubordinate  to 
this  government,  and  with  the  other 
presidencies  in  India :  and  that  it 
be  recommended  to  them  to  take 
all  fitch  meafures  as  they  mall  judge 
ueceffary  for;  traftfmitting  the  faid 
petitions  to  Europe,  and  for  pro- 
moting and  obtaining  an  effectual 
redrefs  to  his  majefty's  fubje&s  in 
India.  And  that  the  laid  com- 
mittee be  empowered  to  fill  up  va- 
cancies, as  they  may  happen  in 
the  courfe  of  time, 

IX.  Refolved,  That  as  confi- 
derable  expence  mult  be  unavoida- 
bly incurred  by  our  endeavours  to 
obtain  redrefs  of  our  grievances,  a 
fublcription  mall  be  opened  by  the 
committee  whb  lhall  be  elected  by 
this  afiembly  5  and  that  as  foon  as 
the  petition  mail  be  ready  for  fig- 
nature,  a  book  ft) all  be  produced 
for  the  faid  iubfcription,  to  the  end 
that  every  man  may  have  the  op- 

^^-^unity  of  promoting,   by  a  -vo- 


luntary facrifice  of  a\fmall  fhare  of 
his  property,  that  fecurity  of  the 
whole,  which  is  the  grand  object  of 
our  petitions.  , 
,  X.  Refolved,  That  all  fubfcrip- 
tions  be  received,  whether  in  ipe- 
cie,  or  in  paper,  and  that  the  a* 
mount  fubfcribed  ihall  be  paid  by 
each  fubfcriber  to  fuch  perfon  or 
perfons  as  the  faid, committee,  when 
elected,  ihall  appoint  to  receive  the 
lame. 

XL  Refolved,  That"  this  arTera- 
bly  do  authorize  the  laid  committee^ 
to  difpofe  of  and  expend  the  whole, 
or  any  part  of  the  Aims  of  money 
fo  paid,  m  fuch  manner  as  fhall 
appear  to  them  bed  calculated  for 
the  general  benefit  of  the  caufe  for 
which  they  were  fubfcribed. 

XII.  Refolved,  That  Mr.  Charles 
Purling  be  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee, and  that  he  be  requeued  to 
propofc  fourteen  other  gentlemen 
to  the  meeting  for  their  approval. 

XIII.  Refolved,  That  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  are  ele&ed  for 
the  purpofes  mentioned  in  the  fore- 
going refolutions,  viz. 

Colonel  Patrick  Duff, 

Captain  John  Murray, 

Captain  Peter  Murray, 

Captain  William  Scott, 

Captain  Herbert  Lloyd,    . 

Charles  1  urling, 

John  Br i flow, 

'Jeremiah  Church, 

William-  Covvper, 

Henry  Vanfittart, 

John  Evelyn, 

Jonathan  Duncan, 

George  pa  11  as, 
•  Thomas  tlenry  Davis, 
and 

Philip  Yonge,  Efqrs. 
^  XIV.  Refolved,  That  the  aflem- 
bly  of  the   Rritiih  inhabitants  of 
Calcutta,  having   the  molt' perfect 
confidence 


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APPENDIX  to  tKe  CHRONICLE.         [24$ 


confidence  and,  truft  in  the  upright- 
nefs,  integrity,  and  abilities,  of  the 
committee  chofeh  for  the  conduct 
and  management  of  their  intereft, 
and  for  the  protection  and. defence 
of  their  rights,  as  fubjeds  of  Great 
Britain,  do,  in  order  to  give  vi- 
gour and  efficacy  to  their  ads,  and 
to  free  them  from  future  trouble, 
embarraflment,  and  obftrudion,  de- 
legate to  them  full  authority  j  and 
do  exprefs  a  plenary  reliance^  on 
them  for  the  exercife  of  it,  and  do 
pledge  to  them  the  concurrence  and 
fuppoft  of  the  faid  affembly,  iri  the 
fulleft  manner  pofiible,  to  all  med- 
fures  they  fliall  legally  adopt,  for 
obtaining  a  repeal  of  the  oppreffive 
parts  of  the  aforefaid  ad  of  parlia- 
ment. 

XV.  Refolved,  That  the  thanks 
df  this  meeting  be  given  to  the 
grand  jury,  for  having  convened  a 


legal  and  constitutional  meeting 
of  the  Britifh  fubjeds  in  this  fettle- 
ment,for  the  purpofe  of,  petitioning 
his  majefty,  and  the  two  houfes  of 
parliament,  for  redrefs  of  thofe 
heavy  grievances'  impofed  on  then! 
by  the  before-mentioned:  'ad  of  the 
legiflature. 

XVI.  Refolved,  That  the  thank* 
of  this  meeting  be  given  to  Philip 
Yonge,  efq.  the  high  iheriff,  for 
his  patriotic  condud  in  calling  the 
aflfembly  at  the  requeft  of  the  grancj 
jury. 

XVII.  Refolved,  That  the  thanks 
of  this  meeting  be  given  to  Charles 
Purjing,  efq.  for  the  great  precifian, 
candour,  and  regularity,  with  which 
he  has  conduded  the  bufinefs  of  the 
day.  , 

XVIII.  Refolved,  That  the  above 
refutations  be  printed  and  made 
public. 


uu 


A  GENERAL 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


*44]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,,  17S6. 


R    A    L     BILL 

OF 

NINQS  and  BURIALS, 

1785,  to  December  12,  1786, 


ricd 


J  Males       102 5  i  ?  Increased  in  the  Burial 
Females    10201  J       this  Tear  1535. 


d  Sixty  1675 

id  Seventy  1305 
f  and  Eighty  98  a 
uk)  Ninety  437 

and  a  Hundred  68 
d  -  1 


A  Hundred  and  One 
A  Hundred  and  Twe 
A  Hundred  and  Three 
A  Hundred  and  Four 
A  Hundred  and  Five x 
A  Hundred  and  Six 


79l 

80 

4 


Mealies 
828  Mifcarriage 
17  Mortification 
Fe-  Palfy 
ever,  Pleurify 

and  Quinfy 
1981  Raih 

4  Rheumatifm  4 
12  Rickets 

66  Riling  of  the  Lights  1 
63  Scald  Head  1 

r,  and  Scurvy  *       3 

52  Small  Pox  2210 

I  Sore  Throat  19 

5  Sores  and  Ulcers      13 
Hor-  St.  Anthony's  Fire     4 

Wa-  Stoppage  in  the  Sto- 
i     16      macn  9 

51  Surfeit 
5  Swelling 
264  Teeth  457 

1  Thruih  .         40 

1  Tympany 

1  Vomiting  and  Loofe 

2  ne6  3 
34|  Worms                    13 


CASUALTIES. 

BIT  by  a  mad  dog 
Broken  Limbs 
Bruifed  x 

Burnt  9 

Choaked 

Drowned  112 

Exceflive  Drinking   6 
Executed  J 

Found  Dead  7 

Erighted 

Killed  by  Falls  and 
feveral  other  Acci- 
dents 58 
Killed  themfelves  22 
Murdered  5 
Overlaid 

Poifoned  2 

Scalded  1 

Shot 

Smothered 

Starved  % 

Stuffocated  4 


Total    2.37 


Tlie 


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APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE*         [a4$ 


The  foliating  authentic  Extra&s  from  the  Conx-Regifter,  are  taken  from 
Accounts  colle&ed  from  the  CuftonvHoufe  Books,  and  delivered  to  Mr. 
John  James  Catherwood,  by  Authority  of  Parliament. 

An  Account  of  the  Quantities  of  all  Corn  and  Grain  extorted  from,  and  imported 
into  England  and  Scotland,  with  the  Bounties  and  Drawbacks  paid,  and  i be 
Duties  received  thereon,  for  one  Year  ended  $th  January,  1 78 7. 


EXPORTED. 

1786. 

Britiih 

Foreign 

Bounties  and 

ENGLAND. 

Quarters. 

Quarters. 

Drawbacks  |>aid. 

Wheat .  -     -     -     - 

128,114 

9,888^ 

£.       s.      d. 

Wheat Flour  „  -      - 

$4^55 

*>3°3 

Rye        - 

5>4<>7 

1,269 

Barley     -    ,     - 

H>973 

1*4*3       , 

50,973  1 8    61  Bo. 

Malt        <- 

79,656 

**3*4 

%/  '+ i^j            ♦ 

Oats        -      -•- 

12,2x5    , 

79.19    4   Dr. 

Oatmeal 

M47 

194  J 

. 

Beans            •     -     - 

9>9°3  - 

434  '1 

Peafe       -        - 

5>354 

140J 

SCOTLAND. 

- 

Wheat    - 

798 

: 

Wheat  Flour     -      - 

Barley           -     - 

9>3*3 

^ 

Barley  hulled      -      - 

54 

x 

* 

Bear 

Bear  Meal    -     -     - 

10>lll  \ 

-•  - 

2,830    *  10    Bo. 

Malt       -        - 

6,108 

'          , 

Oats     *.- 

2,300 

Oatmeal    -    -    -    - 

a>«3 

Peafe  and  Beans 

478> 

- 

v     _           / 

IMPORTED. 

.        1786. 

Quarters.    * 

Duties 

ENGLAND. 

• 

received. 

\ 

Wheat      --- 

47,961^ 

£.      s.    d. 

Wheat  Flour     -      - 

3602 

Rye                           >, 

3" 

* 

Barley     - 

5°>J43  v 

4<>5>334  r 

5>556_  2    9 

""■ 

Oats      -•     -      ,     - 

Oatmeal 

6,763 

1 

Beans      - 

33  >912'- 

Peifa        -        .      - 

1 Ml J 

1*1 1 


SCOTr 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


«46]        ANNUAL  REGISTER;   1786. 


1786. 

Quarters. 

Duties 

SCOTLAND. 

received. 

Rye        -        -         - 

1  ' 

£.  >.  y. 

Barley    .... 

1 2  A3 1 

Oats        ... 

43;°j6  • 

714    8    0 

Oatmeal      -      -      - 

23,320 

Peafe  and  Beans 

180 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  average' prices  of  corn  in  England  and 
Wale*,  by  the  ftandard  Winchefter  buihel,  for  the  year  1786. 


Wheat. 

Rye. 

Barley. 

Oats. 

Beans. 

/.  d. 

/.  d. 

/.  d 

/.  d. 

/.  d. 

4  ioi 

3    4* 

3    oi 

a    3   . 

4    ii 

N.  B.  The  prices  of  the  fineft  and  coarfeft  forts  of  grain  generally  excee4 
and  reduce  the  average  price  as  follows,  viz. 

•  • 

Wheat.        Rye.        Barley.        Oats.        Beans. 
?er  buihel,  od.  3d.  3d.  3d.  6d. 


PRICES 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE.         [247 


• 

*, 

00 

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M  ^    ^    *.    «*  pm  I 


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[£J4 


SUPPLIE4 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


548]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

SUPPLIES  granted  by  Parliament,  for 
the  Year  1786. 

NA.VY.  .         ■ 
-  February  13,  1786. 

FOR  18,000  men,  including  3,620  marines,  at  4I.  £•       s.     d. 

per  man  per  month  —  —    936,006    o     o 

March  2.  - 

For  the  ordinary  of  the  navy,  including  half-pay  to 
the  fea  and  marine  officers  —  *        —     692,3  2618     8 

For  building,  rebuilding,  and  repairing  fhips  of 
war,  &c.  — *         '      —  — -  —    800,000     o     o 


Total  of  Navy '^—    2,428,326  18     8 


ORDNANCE. 

March  7, 
For;  the  charges  of  the  office  of  ordnance  for  land 
fervice  in  1786  —  —  —    287,096  17     1 

- ^    JuNE^.  _ 

For  completing  the  works  at 
Portfmouth  and  Plymouth  —        59>?8i     00 

For  land  at  Faverfham  —  3*032  n     5 

D°  near  Portfmouth        —        —         12,869  11     7| 
D°  near  Plymouth         —         — »        17,388  12    1 

__ ^        93,671   !$     !| 


Total  of  Ordnance    —    380,768  12    2| 


*  - 


ARMY. 
Feb.  10. 

For  17,638  effective  men  for  guards  and  garrifons  647,005  o    8 

D9,    9, 546  men  in  the  plantations  and  Gibraltar  234,160  5  11 

D°,    2,490  men,  Irifh  regiments            s— *        _       — .  6,358  3     o 

D°,      453  men  in  the  Eaft  Indies           — •                —  8,230  8     7 J 

30>^1                     —                    ~                    —  895,753  18     2| 

For  the  general  and  ftafF-bfficers  for  1786              —  6,409  8-    o 

For  full  pay  to  reduced  or  fupernumerary  officers  ?A>31%  7     8{ 
,  For  the  paymafter-general,  fecretary  at  war,  commif- 
iary-general  of  the  mufters,  judge  advocate-general, 

'  '      comptrollers 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


,    APPENDIX  to  .the  CHRONICLE.  [149 

romprollers  of  die  army  accounts,  the  deputies,  clerks, 
&c.  and  for  the  amount  of  the'  exchequer  fees  to  be.  paid       , 
by  the  payraaiter-general,  and  on  account  of  poundage 
t<5  the  infantry  —  -       —  --         59,320  13     5 

.For  peniions  to  the  widows  of  officers  —        n,4°9     7    6   •• 

March  29. 

For  the   army  exfraordinaries,  from    Dec.   25,  1784,      ^  k 

to  Dec.  25,  1785                —                  —                —  573>o?7     3  i\ 

For  the  reduced  officers  of  land  forces  and  marines  172,666  10  5 

For  the  reduced  horfe-guards'              —         '        —  333     9  7 

For  the  Chelfea  penfioners                —                 —  175,016    7  9 

For  the  officers  of  the  Britifh  American  forces  53>502  l7  * 

For  officers  late  in  the  fervice  of  the  States  General  3,535    o  6 

April  ii. 

For  the  difference  between*  the  Britifh  and  Irifh  efta- 
blifhment  of  feveral  battalions,  1784  and  1785  2,377    °    *l%~ 

D°  of  companies,  1786  —  —  3<>4    5  "  %       ' 

■V  11       .  .    ,  1        ,    11.      1 

Total  of  the  Army   —     1,978,154  15    ©|  , 

v 
EXCHEQUER     BILLS. 

February  7. 

To  difcharge  exchequer  bills,  viz.  Bank  — -  1,500,000  o    o 

Bank  loan             —               —            —  *    —  2,ooo,poo  o    o         % 

June  13.    '     '  - 

Circulated            — '    '       —                 —  —  1,000,000  o    o 

D°,  1785            —                —             —  •  — '  i>ooo,qoo  00- 

Tqtal  Exchequer  Bills    — L    5,500,000    o    o 


CIVIL     LIST. 

April  6.  , 

Exchequer  biUs  —  —  —  180,000    o.   o 

Arrears  to Jth  January,  1786  —       •     -  —  30,000    o    a 

Total  Civil  Lift    —    210,000    o    o 


NATIONAL    DEBT. 

f  March  30. 


Towards  the  redu&ion  of  the  national  debt        —    .  1,000 


,000    o    o 


M ISC  EI* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


y*So]       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  i796. 

MISCELLANEOUS    SERVICES. 
April  3. 
To  make  .good  the  damages  fuftained  by  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Faverfham,  &c.  by  the  blowing  up  of  his  ma- 
jefty's  powder-mills  there,  in  1781  — .  —        *>377     6     o 

v  April  ii. 

For  the  civil  eftablifhment  of  Nova-Scotia  — 

For  the  civil  eftablifhment  of  Stf  John's  ifland         •?— 
For  the  civil  eftablifhment  of  the  Bahama  iflands 
For  the  civil  eftablifhment  of  the  ifland  of  Cape  Bre- 

For  the  civil  eftablifhment  of  New  Brunfwick  — 
To  the  reprefentatives   of   the   late  John  Ellis,  efq. 

agent  for  Weft  Florida,  for  arrears  —  *  — 

For  the  falary  of  the   chief  juftice  of  the  Bermuda 

iflands  —  —  —  —  ( '  — 

May  15. 

For  Somerfet  Houfe  — -.  -*-  *-r 

For  the  forts  and  fettlements  in  Africa  — 

For  the    prdfecution  of   offenders   again  ft    the    coin 

For  the  extraordinary  expences  of  the  mint  — 

For  a  compenfatiqn  to  Jofeph  Lodin  du  Mauvoir,  for 
the  lofs  of  his  fhip,  feized  by  the  Lord  Dartmouth  armed 
flirp  in  1776      *      —  —  —      '       —         4,106  10 

May  22.  '    1 

For  purchafing  lands  in  the  ifland  of  St.  Vincent  6,300     o 

For  completing  the  purchafe  of  the  foil  in  the  Baha- 
ma iflands  —  —  — •     _      .     '— .        6,$$6 

For  the  relief  of  the  American  fufTerers  —      62,059    5     o 

To  Mr.  Cotton,  for   fees  paid  at  the   exchequer  on        / 
1  i^o^oool.  granted  laft    feflions   to   the    American    loy-  ' 

alifts  —  —  —  '   —        3,730  14    o 

To  Mr.  Cotton,  for  the  expences  of  Thomas  Dundas 
and  Jeremy  Pemberton,  efqrs.  commiflioners  of  Ameri- 
can claims,  at  Nova  Scotia,  &c.  —  —        2,426    9    o 

To  Mr.  Cotton,  for   the   bills   drawn   on  the  Trea- 

fiwy    by    the    governors    of    New   Brunfwick,    Nova 

Scotia,  and  Cape  Breton,  and  for  expences  of  convicts 

on  board  the  prifon-ihips  at  Portfmouth  and  Plymouth, 

kc-  —  —  —  —      x63o6i  16    , 

For  the  convi&s  on  the  Thames  —  —      21,560    5    7 

To  the  fecretary  of  the  cctrnrniflioners  of  public  ac- 

,  counts  *-  —  •     _  _        J>000    Q    Q 

JUNB   7. 

To  Louis   Borell  and  Abraham  Henry  BoreU,  fojr 


3>*5* 
r,9oo 

?,66q 

*7 
0 
0 

6 
0 
0 

2,100 

4>3°o 

q 
9 

0 
0 

1,8x6 

15 

7i 

580 

0 

O 

25,000 
1 J  ,000 

0 

0 

O 

O 

1,681 
H>939 

18 

5 

4 

o     o 


3 


clifcioflnf 

Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE.  [*$i 

difclofing  their  method  of  dying  the  colour  called  Tur- 
key red  upon  cotton  —  —  —      2,500  b    o 

June  12. 

For  a  new  building  at  the  Admiralty  —      6,000  o    o 

For  the  Scotch  roads  and  bridges  —  —      ^^84  o 


o 


,  June  19. 

For  a  compenfation  to  the  commiflioners  of  public  ac- 
counts — ■  *  : —  —  '—      9,000    o    o 

To  the  commiflioners  appointed  to  enquire  into  the 
l6ffes  of  the  American1  loyalifis  —  —     10,000     o    o 

For  the  relief  of  the  American  loyalifis  —  178,7,50     o    o 

For  the  American  civil  officers,  fufYerers  for  their 
loyalty  —  —  —  # —    55*ooo     o    o 

To  the  fecretary  of  the  commiflioners  of  the  American 
loyalifis  —  —  —  —  '   3,888'  *  4    o 

For  money  iflued  purfuant  to  addrefles  «*—'    12,259    9     a 

For  the  expence  of  confining  convicts  -?-    31,299  10    o 


Total  Mifcellaneous  Services    511,509    5  j;* 

DEFICIENCIES. 
March  20. 
To  the  finking  fund  for  the  monies  paid  out  of  it  to 
make  good  the  deficiencies  of  the  duties  granted  for  re- 
pealing the  duties  on  tea,  to  July  5,  1785                 —    36$  J 19    2  4J 

To  make  good  the  deficiency  of  the  fund  for  the  pay- 
ment bf  annuities  granted  towards  thefupply  in  1758        16,588    4  6\ 
To  ditto  for  1778                —                —              —     180,357    3  6J 
To  ditto  for  1779                —                —1              —      1.5*99*     5  aj 
To  ditto  for  1780              —                —                —    141,86411  8 
To  ditto  for  1783                —        '        —              —    361,963     3  4 
To  ditto  for  1784                —               —              —    202,588    7  J\ 

^  May  15. 

To  make  good  the  deficiencies  of  the  grants  in  1785     127,131    3  af 

Total  Deficiencies        1,412,203     1  6j 

Votal  of  Supplies            13,420,962  12  10  J 

WAYS  and Means  for  raifing  the  above  Supplies  granted  to  bis  Majefty  for  the 
y  year  1786. 

February  10.  - 

Land-tar  for  1786            —            —           —        2,000,000    o  o 

Malt  duty                —                —                 —        750,000    o  o 

March 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


452]        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

March  21. 

—        582,488  ij 


March  21. 
To  be  applied  oat  of  the  finking  fund 


>* 


March  '30. 
Tbbe  applied  out  of  the  finking  fund 

May  2. 
Surplus  of  ditto,  5th  April  1786      x    .  — 

May  15. 
Exchequer  bills  —  — 


—  I/>00,OQO     o     0 

—  628,982    o    1 

— -     2,500,000    o    o 


-      May  18. 
Surplus  of  the  deduction  of  6d.  in  the  pound  on  all 

,falaries,  &c.  —  —  — 

Ditto  of  the  wine  duties  —  — 

Ditto  of  the  glafs  duties  —  — 

Ditto  of  the  duties  on  vellum,  &c.  — 

Ditto  of  the  two-fevenths  excife  — -  — 


82,386  o 
16,491  5 
20,281  15 

12>73S  *5 
4°>4I4    9 


June  i. 
A  lottery,    50,000    tickets,    at 

J3I.  15  s.  6d.  a  ticket-                —  '    688,750  o    o 

Prizes              —                    —      500,000  o    o 
Surplus  of  monies  granted  for  the  army,  &c.  in  1784 

Impreft,  and  other  monies  in  the  exchequer  — 

Army  fkvings  and  ftoppages  in  j  785  — 


I 


188,750 


290,810    4 
100,508  13 

65,575    4 


o 
o 
o 
o 
5! 


o    o 


6f 
ii 


JuN^20.i 

To  be  applied  out  of  the  finking  fund                —  2,600,000  o  o 

Exchequer  bills              —                —                —  3,000,000  o  o 
Surplus  of  monies  voted  for  Chelfea  penfioners  in 

*&$              —               —    '          —              —  3i,5°*8  n  *f 


Total  of  Ways  and  Means 
Total  of  Supplier 


I3>90P*99*  »5 
i3>42°>96*  Ia 


42 
ioi 


Excefs  of  Ways  and  Means  480^030     2     6 


and  correfi  Lift  6f  the  National  Debt,  to  the  $th  of  Janst* 
.    ary9  1786, 

Capitals.  M .      Inter**. 


»t.  Navy  Annuities 
ent.  Confoii         — 


£.       j.  d. 

11^642,406    0  0 

17,869,993    9  ro 

33>75o,ipo*  0  o 


£.  s.  d. 
698,544  o  o 
B93>499*3    5 

*;3*0jO0O     O     O 

Thre* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


APPENDIX  to  the  CHUONICLE.        [253 

Capitals.  Intereft. 


Three  per  Cent.  Confols  — 

Three  per  Cent.  Reduced        — 
Three  per  Cent  1726     —      «— 
Long  Ann.  680,3751.  per  Ann, 
calculated   at    21  years  pur- 
chafe,  only  —  — 
Short  Ann.   1777—25,0001.  per 
Ann. — Short  Ann.   1778  and 
1779,  412,5001.  calculated  at 
14  years  purchafe  — 
South  Sea  Stock          — *  — 
Three  per  Cent.  Old  Annuities 
Three  per  Cent.  New    —      — 
Three  per  Cent,  j  75 1     —     -^ 


India  Stock  — 

Three  per  Cent.  Annuities 


107,401,696    5     1 

37^4o.o73    4    ° 
1,000,000    o    o 


20,411,250    o    o 


6,125,000 

5,662,784 

1 1>93  7*47° 
8,494,830 
1,919,600 


o  o 
8  6 
2  7 
2  10 
o    o 


3,200,000    o    o 
3,000,000    o    o 


Total    266,725,097  12  10    9,536,026    4    7 


£.      <•  j. 

3,222,050  17  9 

1,120,202   4  3 

30,00©     o  o 


680,375    °   ° 


437,500  o  o 

128,197  9  * 

357,224  2  o 

254,844  18  1 

57,588  o  o 

256,000  o  o 

90,000  o  o 


STATE 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


454]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,  17&6. 


STATE     PAPERS. 


His  Majeftys  moft  gracious  Speech  to 
both  tioufes  of  Parliament*  on  the 
opening  of  the  Third  S<ffia>t  of  the 
Sixteenth  Parliament  of  Great  Britain, 
14/J&  January  1786. 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 

SINCE  I  laft  met  you  in  parlia- 
ment, the  difputes  which  appear- 
ed to  threaten  an  interruption  to  the 
tranquillity  of  Europe  have  been 
brought  to  an  amicable  conclufion ; 
and  I  continue  to  receive  from  fo- 
reign powers  the  ftrongeft  aflurances 
of  their  friendly  difpofition  towards 
this  country. 

At  home,  my  fubjects.  experience 
the  growing  buffings  of  peace  in 
the  extennon  of  trade,  the  im- 
provement of  the  revenue,  and  the 
«.— -r.  ~*  *u ki:„  ^re(iit  of  the 

ncement  of 
,  I  rely  on 
zeal  and  in- 
efted  in  the 

you  laid  be- 
f  an  adjuft- 
l  intercourfe 
ind  Ireland, 
ons  commu- 
nent  of  that 
Fe6tual  ftep 
n  thereupon 
3U  to  make 


any  farther  progrefs  in  that  falutary 
work. 

Gentlemen    of  the   Houfe    of 

Commons, 
I  have  ordered  the  eflknates  tor 
the  prefent  year  to  be  laid  before 
you:  it  is  my  earned  wifh  to  enforce 
oeconomy  in  every  department  3  and 
ypu  will,  I  am  perfuaded,  be  equal- 
ly ready  to  make  fuch  provifion  as 
may  be  neceflary  for  the  public  fer- 
vice,  and  particularly  for  maintain- 
ing our  naval  ftrength  on  the  moft 
fecure  and  refpe&able  footing.    A- 
bove  all,  let  me  recommend  to  you 
the  .eftablifhment  of  a  fixed  plan  for 
the  reduction  of  the  national  debt. 
The   flourifhing    ftate    of  the  re- 
venue  will,    I    truft,    enable   you 
to  effect  this  important    meafure, 
with  little  addition  to  the  public 
burdens* 


My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 
The  vigour  and  refources  of  the 
country*  fo  fully  manifefted  in  its 
prefent  fituation,  will  encourage  you 
in  continuing  to  give  your  utmoft  at- 
tention to  every  fubject  of  national 
concern ;  particularly  to  the  confi- 
deration  of  fuch  meafures  as  may  be 
necefTary,  in  order  to  give  farther 
fecurity  to  the  revenue,  and  to  pro- 
mote and  extend,  as  far  as  poffible, 
the  trade  and  general  induftry  of  my 
fubjefts. 


'  Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


STATE     PAPERS, 


[255 


Tbi  bumble  Addrefs  of  tbe  lords  Spi- 
ritual and  Temporal*  in  Parliament 
vjemhiea\  to  tbe  King,  for  tbe  fore- 
going Speech,  January  a  J,  17S6. 

WE  your  majefty's  moft  duti- 
ful and  loyal  fubje&s,  the 
lords  fpiritual  and  temporal,  in  par- 
liament aflembled,  beg  leave  to  re- 
turn yourmajeliy  our  humble  thanks 
for  your  majefty  s  moil  gracious 
fpeech  from,  the  throne. 

We  allure  your  majefty,  that 
imprelTed  with  the  fulleft  convic- 
tion of  the  blefliugs*  which  remit 
from  a  Hate  of  general  peace,  it 
affords  us  great  fatisfa&ion .  to  be 
informed,  that  the^  difputes  which 
appeared  to  threaten  an  interrup- 
tion to  the  tranquility  of  Europe 
have  been  brought  to  an  amicable 
conciufion ;  and  that  your  majefty 
continues  to  receive  from  foreign 
powers  the  ftrongeft  aflurances  of 
their  friendly '  difpolition  towards 
this  country. 

We  aflure  your  majefty,  that  earn- 
estly interefted  in  whatever  may  con- 
tribute to  the  ftrength  and  fplendour 
of  the  nation,  and  the  wealth  of  your 
majefty *s  fubjedts,  we  cannot  but  be 
deeply  fenfible  of  the  advantages 
which  muft  be  derived  from  the  ex- 
tention  of  trade,  the.  improvement 
of  the  revenue,  and  the  increafe  of 
the  public  credit. 

We  aflure  your  majefty,  that  the 
promotion  of  the  common  intereft 
and  prosperity  of  all  your  majefty *s 
fubje&s,  was  the  object  of  thofe  re- 
folutions  which  we  numbly  laid  be- 
fore your  majefty  in  the  laft  feflion 
of  parliament,  as  the  foundation  of  a 
permanent  and  equitable  adjuftment 
*  of  the  commercial  intercourfe  be- 
tween Great  Britain  and  Ireland ; 
Nbut  no.efeclual  ftep  having  been 
taken  in  tcouTequence  of  them  by 


the  parliament  of  Ireland,  the  pTo- 
grefs  of  that  meafure,  however  falu- 
tary,cannot  properly  become  thefub- 
je&  of  o\jx  prelcnt  conflderation.' 

We  humbly  intreat  your  majeftj 
to  be  perfuaded,  that  the  vigour  and 
relburces  of  the  country,  which,  with 
heart-felt  fatisfa&ion,  we  obferve  are 
fo  fully  manifelted  in  its  prefent  £fu- 
ation,  cannot  fail  to  -excite  a  ftilf 
more  active  attention  to  the  im- 
portant objects  of  national  con- 
cern which  your  majefty  is  pleaf- 
ed  to  recommend  to  our  confiderar 
tion  ;  and  particularly  to  fuch  mea- 
fures  as  may  be  neceflary  to  give 
farther  fecurity  to  the  revenue,  and 
to  promote  and  extend,  as  far  as 
poffible,  the  general  induftry  of  onr 
country. 

His  Majefty* t  moft  gracious  Anfiver. 

My  Lords, 

I  thank  you  for  this  very  dutiful 
and  loyal  addrefs. 

I  receive  with  great  fatisfacVion 
your  aflurances,  that  you  will  give 
the  ftri&eft  attention  to  the  impor- 
tant objects  of  national  concern, 
which  I  have  recommended  to  your 
confideration. 


The  humble  Addrefs  of  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
mons to  the  King,  for  the  foregoing 
Speech,  January  26",  1 7  86. 

Moft  gracious  Sovereign, 

WE,  your  majefty's  moft  duti- 
ful and  loyal  fubje&s  the 
Commons  of  Great  Britain,  in  par- 
liament aflembled,  beg  leave  to  re- 
turn your  majefty  our  humble  thanks, 
for  your  moft  gracious  fpeech  from 
the  throne 

We  learn,  with  great  fetisfa&ion, 

that  the  difputes  which  appeared  to 

4  threaten 


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*56}       ANNUAL    REGIS  fER*    17*6. 


threaten  an  interruption  to  the  tran- 
quillity of  Europe  have  been  brought 
to  an  amicable  conclufion ;  and  that 
your  majefty  continues  to  receive 
trom  foreign  powers  the  ftrongeft 
aflurances  of  their  friendly  difpofi- 
tion  towards  this  country. 

We  are  deeply  fenfible  of  the 
bleffings  which  we  experience  from 
the  enjoyment  of  peace,  in  the  ex- 
tenfion  of  trade,  the  improvement 
of  the  revenue,  and  the  increafe  of 
the  public  credit  of  the  nation  :  and 
your  majefty  may  rely  on  the  utmoft 
exertion  of  our  zeal  and  induftry  for 
the  farther  advancement  of  thefe 
important  objects. 

In  order  to  promote,  as  far  as  in 
us  lay,  the  common  interefts  of  all 
your  majefty 's  fubje6ts,  we  humbly 
laid  before  your  majefty,  in  the  laft 
feflion  of  parliament,  feveral  refolu- 
tions,  as  the  bafts  of  an  adjuftment 
of  the  commercial  intercourfe  be- 
tween Great  Britain  and  Ireland; 
;  but,  as  no  effectual  ftep  has  been 
hitherto  taken  thereupon  by  the 
parliament  of  that  kingdom,  we  do 
not  find  ourfelves  at  prefent  enabled 
to  make  any  farther  progrefs  in  that 
falutary  work. 

We  cannot  refrain  from  offering 
nir  grati- 
icious  af- 
fh  to  en- 
artment ; 
r,  at  all 
hi  as  may 
ich  of  the 
for  main- ' 
of  thefe, 
cure  and 
imprefled 
blifhing  a 
m  of  the. 
30  time  in 
nt  conii- 
)rd  us  the 


mod  folid  fatiafa&ion  to  find,  that 
this  moft  defirable  objed  may  be 
attained  with  little  addition  to  the 
public  burdens. 

The  vigour  and  refourccs  fo  hap- 
pily manifefted  in  our  prefent  fitua- 
tion  muft  give  encouragement  and 
confidence  to  all  your  majefty's 
fubjefts,  and  cannot  fail  to  'animate 
our  exertions  in  endeavouring,  by 
a  continued  attention  to  the  fecurity 
of  the  revenue,  and  the  extenfion 
of  trade,  to  confirm  and  improve 
the  increafing  profperity  of  the 
empire.  * 

His  Majefty  t  moft  gracious  Unftvcer* 

Gentlemen, 
I  thank  you  for  this  very  loyal 
addrefs.  I  receive  with  great  fa- 
tisfaction  the  affurances  of  your  dif- 
ppfition  to  enter,  with  zeal  and  in-* 
duftry  into  the  confideration  of  thofe* 
important  and  falutary  objects  which 
I  have  recommended  to  your  atten- 
tion. 


The  Speech  of  his  Grace  Charles  Duke 
of  Rutland,  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ire- 
land, to  both  Houfes  of  Parlia- 
ment, at  the  opening  of  the  SeJ/tons 
there,  on  Thurfday,  January  19, 
1786. 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen* 

IT  is  with  great  fatisfa&ioa,  that* 
in  obedience  to  his  majefty's 
commands,  I  meet  you  again  in  par- 
liament. You  will,  I  am  perfuad- 
ed,  give  your  utmoft  attention  to 
the  various  objects  of  public  con- 
cern, which  require  your  confide* 
ration.  Your  natural  folicitude  for 
the  welfare  of  Ireland,  and  a  full 
fenftf  of  ber  real  interefts,'  will 
direft  all  your  deliberations,   and 

point 


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S;tA  T  fi     PAPfiRS. 


b-si 


pd(nt  out  to  ybii  the  line  of  conduct 
wm^hrrwy  be  mbft  conducive,  to  the 
public  advantage;  and  to  that  lad- 
ing connexion  between  the  fifter 
kingdoms,  fo  effential  to  the  pro- 
sperity of  both. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
mons, 

I  have  .ordered  the  public  ac- 
counts, and  other  neceffary  papers, 
to  be  laid  before  you.  The  princi- 
ple which  you  f©  wifely  eftablifhed 
of  preventing  the  accumulation  of 
the  national  debt,  will,  I  hope,  ap- 
pear already  to  have  proved  fucceff- 
iul  j  and  I  entertain  no  dpufrt,  that 
your  wifdom  will  perfevere  in  mea- 
sures, which,  in  their  operation, 
promife  fuch  beneficial  effects.,  His 
majefty  relies  with  confidence  upon 
your  grant  of  fuch  fupplies  as  are 
neceffary  for  the  public  feryice,  and 
for  the  honourable  fupport  of  his 
government. 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 

A  fyftematic  improvement  of  the 
police,  and  a  vigorous  execution  of 
the  laws,  are  effential  not  only  to 
the  due  collection  of  the  public  re- 
venue, but  to  the  fecurity  of  private 
property,  and  indeed  to  the  protec- 
tion of  fociety.  The  frequent  out- 
rages which  have  been  committed 
in  fome  parts  of  the  kingdom,  will 
particularly  call 'your  attention  to 
this  important  object. 

It  is  unneceffary  fdrme  to  recom- 
mend the  proteftant  charter-fchools 
to  your  protection,  or  to  enumerate 
the  happy  effects  which  may  be  de- 
rived from  your  continued  atten- 
tion to  the  linen  and  other  manu- 
factures, to  the  agriculture,  and  to 
.  the  fisheries  of  the  kingdom,  and  to 
ibeh  meafures  as  may  animate  the 

V9l.  XXVIII. 


induftry,  extend  the  education,  and 
improve1  the  morals  of  the  people. ' 
It  will  ever  be  my  ambition  to  pro- 
mote the  real  interefts  of  Ireland, 
and  to  contribute  by  all  the  means 
in  my  power  towards  eftablifhing 
its  future  prosperity  on  the  fureft 
and  moft  lafting  foundation. 


The  Speech  of  the  Right  Honourable  the 
Speaker  of  the  Houfe  of  Comment  in 
Ireland,  to  his  Grace  Charles,  Duke 
of  Rutland,  Lord  Lieutenant,  on  Tttef- 
day  the  z\ft  of  March,  upon  the  pre- 
fenting  the  Money  Bills  at  the  Bar  of 
the  Houfe  of  Lords. 

May  it  pleafe  your  Grace. 

THE  expences  of  this  kingdorfi 
'  had  for  a  feries  of  years,  as 
well  in  time  of  peace  as  war,  con- 
ftantly  exceeded  its  revenue,  and 
debt  increafed  on  dehj. 

Where  fuch  a  fyftem  is  fuffered 
to  prevail,  manufactures  mud:  at 
length  give  way,  trade  will  decline, 
and  agriculture  ceafe  to  produce 
wealth  or  plenty.  The  commons, 
therefore,  in  the  laft  feffion,  wifely 
determined  to  put  a  flop  to  fo  ruin- 
ous a  fyftem,  and  with  a  fpirited 
attention  to  the  true  intereft  of  their 
country,  and  tHe  honourable  fup- 
port of  his  majefty's  government', 
they  voted  new  taxes  to  increafe 
the  revenue  of  the  year,  in  the  fuirt 
of  140,0001. 

The  effort  was  great,  and  the  • 
event  has  proved  its  wifdom.  No 
further  addition  is  now  wanting — 
no  loan  or  act  of  credit  is  neceffary 
—a  fituation  unknown  to  this  king- 
dom for  many  fcflions  pad,  and 
marking  with  peculiar  force  the 
happy  aera  of  yotlr  grace's  admini- 
ftration. 

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a58]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

Animated  by  this  fuccefc,  and 
determined  to  perfevere  in  the  prin- 
ciple of  preventing  the  accumula- 
tion of  debt,  his  majefty's  faithful 
commons  have,  in  this  ietfion,  con- 
tinued the  fame  taxes,  and  granted 
all  the'  fupplies  thatwere  deiired,  to 
the  full  amount  of  every  enunciated 
expencejnor  have  they  omitted  at 
the  fame  time  to  provide  for  the 
fpeedy  reduction  of  the  national 
debt  by  a  confiderable  finking  fund, 
and  to  continue  to  the  agriculture, 
,trie  fifheries,  and  the  riling  manu- 
factures of  the  kingdom,  the  boun- 
ties necefiary  for  their  fupport. 

Great  as  thefe  taxes  are,  they  are 
liberally  and  cheerfully  given,  in 
the  moil  firm  and  full  confidence, 
that  from  your  graced  experienced 
wifdom  and  affection  for  this  king- 
dom, they  will  be  found  effectually 
to  anfwer  the  end  propofed,  of  fupr 
plying  the  whole  of  the  public  ex- 
pence,  and  preventing  any  further 
accumulation  of  debt. 

The  bills  which  I  have  the  honour 
to  prefent  to  your  grace,  for  the 
royal  affent,  are,  &c.  &c.  &c. 


The  Speech  of  his  Grace  Charles,  Duke 
of Rutland \  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ire- 
laud,  to  both  Houfes  of  Parliament, 
on  clofing  the  Sejfion,  Monday,  May 
8,  1786. 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 

I  Have  feen,  with  great  fatisfac- 
tion,  the  con  riant  attention  and 
uncommon  difpatch  with  which  you 
have  gone  through  the  public  bufi- 
jnefs.  I  am  thereby  enabled  now  to 
relieve  you  from  further  attendance 
in  parliament.  The  harmony  of  your 
deliberations  has  given  no  lefs  effi- 
cacy than  dignity  to  your  proceed- 


ings -,  and  I  am  confident  that  you 
will  carry  with  you  the  fame  difpo- 
fition  for  promoting  the  public  wel- 
fare to  your  refidence  in  the  coun- 
try, where' your  prefence  will  en- 
courage the  induftry  of  the -people, 
and  where  your  example  and  your 
influence  will  be  happily  exerted  in 
eftablifhing  general  good  order  and 
obedience  to  the  laws. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Houfe  of  Com>> 
mons, 

I  am  to  thank  you  in  his  majef- 
ty's  name  for  the  liberal  fupplies 
which  you  have  given  for  the  pub- 
lic fervice,  and  for  the  honourable 
fupport  of  his  majefry's  govern- 
ment. They  fhall  be  faithfully  ap- 
plied to  the  purposes  for  which  they 
were  granted.  My  reliance  upon 
your  decided  fupport  to  the  execu* 
tion  of  the  laws  for  the  juft  collec- 
tion of  the  public  revenue,  affords 
me  the  bed  founded  hope,  that  the 
produce  of  the  duties  will  not  faH 
Oiort  of  their  eftimated  amoun*. 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 
The  determined  fpirit  with  which 
you  have  marked  your  abhorrence 
of  all  lawlefs  diforder  and  tumult, 
hath,  I  doubt  not,  already  made  an 
ufeful  imprefiion  :  and  the  falutary 
laws  enacted  in  this  fefiion,  and  par- 
ticularly the  introduction  of  a  iyf- 
tem  of  police,  are  honourable  proofs 
of  your  wifdom,  your  moderation, 
and  your  prudence. 

His  majefty  beholds,  with  the' 
higher!  fatisfaction,  the  zeal  and. 
loyalty  of  his  people  of  Ireland  j 
and  I  have  his  majefty's  exprefs 
commands  to  affure  you  pf  the  moll 
cordial  returns  of  his  royal  favour 
and  paternal  affection.    % 

I  have  the  deepen1  fenfe  of  every 

obligation   to   confirm  my  attack- 

,        ,  ment 


edOyL 


STATE     PAPERS. 


IH9 


taent  to  this  kingdom ;  and  it  will 
be  the  conftant  object  of  my  admi- 
nistration and  the  warmeft  impulfe 
of  my  heart,  to  forward  the  fuccefs. 
of  her  iriterefts,  and  to  promote  the 
profperity  of  the  empire. 


His  Majefty s  Speech  to  both  Hottfes  of 
Parliament,  on  clofing  the  SrJJion  of 
Parliament ',  Wednefday ->  July  1 1, 
1786. 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 

I  Cannot  clofe  this  feffion  of  par- 
liament without  expreffing  the 
particular  fatisfactioh  with  which  I 
have  obferved  your  diligent  atten- 
tion to  the  public  bufinefs,  and  the 
mea  Aires  you  have  adopted  for  im- 
proving the  reiburces  of  the  coun- 
try. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
mons, 

I  thank  you  for  the  fupplies  which 
you  have  granted  for  the  fervice  of 
the  current  year,  and  for  the  pro-» 
vifion  you  have  made  for  difcharg- 
ing  the  incumbrances  on  the  reve- 
nue applicable  to  the  ufes  of  my 
civil  government.  The  moft  falu- 
tary  effects  are  to  be  expected  from 
the  plan  adopted  for  the  reduction 
of  the  national  debt;  an  object 
which  I  confider  as  infeparably  con- 
nected with  the  effential  interefts  of 
the  public. 

My  .Lords  and  Gentlemen, 

The  affurances  which  I  conti- 
nue to  receive  from  abroad  promife 


the   continuance  of  general  tran- 
quillity. 

The  happy  effects  of  peace  have ' 
already  appeared  in  the  extenfion 
of  the  national  commerce ;  and  no 
meafures  ftiall  be  wanting,  on  my 
part,  which  can  tend  to  confirm 
thefe  advantages,  and  to  give  ad- 
ditional encouragement  to  the  ma- 
nufactures and  induftry  of  my  peo- 
ple. 


The  Addrefs  of  the  lord  Mayor,  Mder*  ' 
men,  Sheriffs,  and  Common  Council 
of  the  City  of  London,  frefented  to 
his  Majefty  on  Friday,  Auguft  n, 
1786,  on  the  Occafion  of  his  happy 
Ej cape  from  AJfaffination  *.     . 

Moft  gracioos  Sovereign, 

WE,  your,  majefty's  dutiful  and 
loyal  fubjects,  the  lord  may- 
or, aldermen,  and  commons  of  the 
city  of  London,  in  common  council 
affembled,  humbly  approach  the 
throne  with  our  moft  fincere  con- 
gratulations/on the  providential  de- 
liverance manifefted  in,  the  failure 
of  that  outrageous  attempt  which 
fo  lately  endangered  your  majefty's 
royal  perfon. 

Impelled  at  once  by  duty  and  in- 
clination, your  majefty's  faithful  citi- 
zens of  London  are  happy  in  tenderl- 
ing an  unfeigned  affurance  of  their 
affection  and  zeal  for  your  majefty's 
perfon  and  government.  * 

Deeply  fend  ble  of  the  value  and 
importance  of  your  majefty's  life  to 
the   profperity   of  your  kingdoms, ' 
and  of  the   unfpeakable    affliction 
which  your  people  would  have  fuf- 


#  A  variety  of  other  addrefles  were  prefented  to  his  majefty  en  this  occafion 
by  the  clergy,  and  fcveral  of  the  counties  and  bodies  corporate  throughout  the 
Jungdom. 

[#]a  *  tainti 


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s6o]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,   i786. 


rained  by  its  mournful  termination, 
the  late  horrid  occurrence  (which 
threatened  that  national  calamity) 
could  not  fail  to  excite  in  their 
minds  a  proportionate  alarm ;  but 
more  particularly  painful  and  fe- 
vcre  were  their  fenfations,  on  re- 
9  flecling  that  your^majefty's  gracious 
attention  to  the  petitions  of  your 
fubjects  had  proved  the  lamentable 
caule  of  expofing  your  facred  perfori 
to  danger. 

Permit  us,  royal  fir,  to  add  our 
moft  fervent  prayers,  that  your  reign 
may  continue  long  and  profperous 
over  free,  happy,  and  united  lub- 
je&s  ;  and  that  your  descendants 
.  may  tranfmit  the  bleflings  the  na- 
tion now  enjoys  to  the  lateft  pos- 
terity. 

feigned,  by  order  of  court, 

William  Rix. 

Answer. 
I  receive,  with  the  greateft  plea- 
fure,  the  very  affe&ionate  expref* 
fions  of  your  duty  and  attachment 
to  me,  and  thank  you  for  your  con- 
gratulations upon  the  providential 
deliverance  from  the  attack  which 
has  been  lately  made  upon  ray  per- 
fon  :  thofe  profelHons  cannot  but  be 
acceptable  to  me  from  my  loyal  city 
of  London,  to  whom  I  am  always 
difpofcd  to  fhcw  every  mark  of  at- 
tention and  regard. 


treaty  of  Alliance  and  Commeyce  be- 
tween his  Majefty  Fnderiih  111. 
King  cf  Prrjfja,  ami  the  United 
States  of  America,  as  ratified  by 
Congrtjs,  May,  J,  1786. 

HIS  majefty  the  king  of  Pruflia 
and  the  IJnited  States  of  Ame- 
rica, defiring  to  fix,  in  a  permanent 
and  equitable  manner,  the  rules  to 


be  obferved  in  the  intercourse  and 
commerce  they  deflre  to  eltablifli 
between  their  refpe&ive  countries, 
have  judged,  that  the  faid  end  can- 
not be  better  obtained  than  by 
taking  the  moft  perfect  equality 
and  reciprocity  for  the  bafis  of  their 
agreement. 

With  this  view,  his  majefty  the 
king  of  Pruflia  has  nominated  and 
conftituted,  as  his  plenipotentiary, 
the  baron  Frederic  William  de  Thu- 
lemeyer,  envoy  extraordinary  with 
their  high  mightineflfes  the  ftates 
general  of  the  United  Netherlands; 
and  the  United  States  have,  on  their 
paft,  given  fi.ll  powers  to  John 
Adams;  efq.  now  minifter "plenipo- 
tentiary of  the  United  States  with 
his  Britannic  majefty,  Dr.  Benjamin 
Franklin,  and  Thomas  JefFerfon,  re* 
fpecVrve  plenipotentiaries,  have  con- 
cluded articles,  of  which  the  follow- 
ing is  an  abftrac"t,  fo  far  as  concerns 
the  riates  of  America. 

The  fubje&s  of  his  majefty  the 
king  of  Pruflia  may  frequent  all  the 
coalts  and  countries  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  refide  and 
trade  there  in  all  forts  of  produce, 
manufactures^  and  merchandize,  and 
ihall  pay  within  the  faid  United 
Spates  no  other  ox  greater  duties, 
charges^  or  tees  whatfoever,  than 
the  moil  favoured  nations  are  or  ihall 
be  obliged  to  pay y  and  they  ihall 
enjoy  all  the  rights  privileges,  and 
exemptions,  in  navigation  and  com- 
merce, which  the  moft  favoured  na- 
tion does  or  fhall  enjoy  5  fubmitting 
themfelves  to  the  laws  and  ufages 
there  etfabliihed. 

In  like  manner  the  citizens  of 
the  United  States  of  America  may 
frequent  all  the  coafts  and  countries 
of  his  majefty  the  king  of  Pruflia, 
and  refide  and  trade  there  in  all 
forts  of  produce,  manufactures,  and 
meix'haa-. 


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[261 


merchandize,  and  fhall  pay  in  the 
dominions  of  his  laid  majefty  no 
other  or  greater  duties,  charges,  or 
fees  whatfoever,  than  the  mod  fa- 
voured nation  is  or  fhall  be  obliged 
to  pay  j  and  they  iliall  enjoy  all  the 
rights,  privileges,  and  exemptions, 
in  navigation  and  commerce,  which 
the  molt  favoured  nation  does  or 
iliall  enjoy;  fubmitting  themfelves 
as  aforefaid. 

Each  party  fhall  have  a  right  to 
carry  their  own  produce,  manu- 
factures, and  merchandize,  in  their 
own  or  any  other  veffels,  to  any 
parts  of  the  dominions  of  the  other, 
where  it  fhall  be  lawful  for  all  the 
fubjects  or  citizens  of  that  other 
freely  to  purchafe  them ;  and  thence 
to  take  the  produce,  manufactures, 
and  merchandize  of  the  other,  which 
all  the  laid  citizens  or  fubjects  fhall 
in  like  manner  be  free  to  fell,  pay- 
ing in  both  cafes  fueh  duties,  char- 
ges, and  fees  'only,  as  art;  or  iliall 
be  paid  by  the  molt  favoured  na- 
tion. 

Each  party  fhaU  endeavour  to 
protect  and  defend  all  veffels,  and 
other  effects,  belonging  to  the  ci- 
tizens or  'fubjects  of  the  other, 
which  fhall  be  within  the  extent  of 
their  jurisdiction  by  lea  or  land  -, 
'  and  iliall  ufe  all  their  eiforts  to  re- 
cover, and  caufe  to  be  reftored  to 
their  right  owners,  their  veifels  and 
effects  which  fhall  be  taken  from 
them  within  the  extent  of  their  faid 
jurtfdiction. 

If  one  of  the  contracting  parties 
(hould  be  engaged  in  war  with 
other  powers,  the  free  intercourfe 
and  commerce  of  the  fubjects  or  ci- 
tizens of  the  party  remaining  nea- 
ter, with  the  belligerent  powers, 
fhall  not  .be  interrupted.  On  the 
coutrary,  in  that  cafe,  as  in  full 
peace,    the  veffels  of  the  neutral 


party  may  navigate  freely  to  and 
from  the  ports,  and  on  the  coafts  of 
the  belligerent  parties,  free  vefFel* 
making  free  goods,  infomuch  that 
all  things  fhall  be  adjudged  free 
which  fhall  be  on  board  any  veffel 
belonging  to  the  neutral  party,  al- 
though fuch  things  belong  to  an 
enemy  of  the  other ;  and  the  fame 
freedom  fhall  be  extended  to  per- 
fons  who  fhall  be  on  board  a  free 
veffel,  although  they  fliould  be  ene- 
mies to  the  other  party,  unlefs  they 
be  foldiers  in  a'ctual  fervice  of  fuch 
enemy. 

In  the  fame  cafe  of  one  of  the 
contracting  parties  being  engaged  in 
war  with  any  other  power —to  pre- 
vent all  the  difficulties  and  tnifun-  * 
derftandings  which  ufually  arife  re- 
fpecting  the  merchandize  heretofore 
called  contraband/  fuch  as  arms, 
ammunition,  and  military  ftores  of 
every  kind — no  inch  articles  carried 
in  the  veffels,  or  by  the  fubjects  or 
citizens  of  one  of  the  parties  to  the 
enemies  of  the  oilier,  iliall  be  deem- 
ed contraband,  ih  as  to  induce  con- 
fifcation  or  condemnation,  and  a  loft 
of  property  to  individuals.  But  in 
the  cafe  funpofed,  of  a  veffel  flopped 
for  the  articles  heretofore  deemed 
contraband,  if  the  mailer  of  the  vef- 
fel itopped  will  deliver  out  the  goods  , 
fuppofed  to  be  of  contraband  nature, 
he  iliall  be  admitted  to  do  it,  and 
the  veffel  fhall  not  in  that  cafe  be 
carried  into  any  port,  nor  further 
detained,  but  fhall  be  allowed  to 
proceed  on  her  voyage. 

If  the  contracting  parties,  fliall  he 
engaged  in  war  againit  a  common 
enemy,  the  following  point  fhall  b» 
obferved  between  them. 

lit.  If  a  veffel  of  one  of  the  par-  . 
ties,,  retaken  by  a  privateer  of  the 
other,  fliall  not  have  been  in  poffef-* 
fion  of  the  enemy  more  than  twenty- 


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a6VJ       ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786. 


four  hours,  ihe  ihall  be  reftored  to 
the  firft  owner  for  one  third  of  the 
value  of  the  veffel  and  cargo  $  but 
if  flie  ihall  have  been  more  than 
twenty-four  hours  in  poffeffion  of  the 
enemy,  fhe  fhall  belong  wholly  to 
the  re-captor.  2d,  If  in  the  fame 
cafe  the  re-capture  were  by  a  public 
veffel  of  war  of  the  one  party,  ref- 
titution  ihall  be  made  to  the  owner 
of  one  thirtieth  part  of  the  vefTel 
and  cargo,  if  ihe  Ihall  not  have  been 
in  the  poffeffion  of  the  enemy  more 
than  twenty-four  hours ;  and  one 
tenth  of  the  laid  value  where  me 
fhall  have  been  longer  5  which  fums 
ihall  be  diftr  touted  in  gratuities  to 
the  re-captors.  3d,  The  reftitution 
in  the  cafes  aforefaid  iha^l  be  after 
due  proof  of  property,  and  furety 
given  for  the  part  to  which  the  re- 
captors  are  entitled.  4th,  The  vef- 
fels  of  war,  public  and  private,  of 
the  two  parties,  ihall  be  reciprocally 
admitted  with  their  prizes  into  the 
refpective  ports  of  each ;  but  the 
faid  prizes  ihall  not  be  discharged 
nor  fold  there,  until  their  legality 
ihall  have  been  decided  according 
to  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the 
ftate  to  which  the  captors  belong, 
but  by  the  judicators  of  the  place 
into  which  the  prize  ihall  have  been 
conducted,  jth,  It  ihall  be  free  to 
each  party  to  make  fuch  regulations 
as  they  ihall  judge  necefTary  for  the 
conduct  of  their  refpective  veffeis 
of  war,  public  or  private,  relativ6 
to  the  veffels  which  they  fhall  take 
and  carry  into  the  ports  of  the  two 
parties. 

Where  the  parties  fhall  have  a 
common  enemy,  or  ihall  both  be 
neutral,  the  veffels  of  war  of  each 
ihall  upon  all  occafions  take  under 
their  protection  the  veffels  of  the 
other  going  the  fame  courfe,  and 
ihall  defend  fuch  veffels  as  long  as 
4 


they  hold  the  fame  courfe,  againft 
all  fV.rce  and  violence,  in  the  fame 
manner  as  they  ought  to  protect  and 
defend  veffels  belonging  to  the  party 
of  which  they  are. 

If  war  ihould  arife  between  the 
two  contracting  parties,  the  mer- 
chants of  either  country,  then  re- 
fiding  in  the  other,  ihall  be  allowed 
to  remain  nine  months  to  collect 
their  debts  and  fettle  their  affairs, 
and  may  depart  freely,  carrying  off 
all  their  effects  without  moleftation 
or  hinderance. 

This  treaty  ihall  be  in  force  dur- 
ing the  term  of  ten  years  from  the 
exchange  of  ratifications. 

(Signed) 
F.  G.  de  Thulemeyer,  a  la  Haye, 

le  10  Septembre  1785. 
Tho.  Jefferson,   Paris,  July  28, 

B.    Franklin,      Pafly,     July    9, 

i78j.       , 
John  Adams,  London,  Auguft  5, 

1785. 

Now  know  ye,  that  we  the  faid 
United  States  in  congreisaffembled, 
having  confidered  and  approved,  do 
hereby  ratify  and  confirm  the  faid 
treaty.  Witnefs  the  hon.  Nathaniel 
Gotham,  our  chairman,  in  the  ab- 
fence  of  his  excellency  John  Han- 
cock, our  prefident,  the  7  th  day  of 
May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1786, 
and  of  our  independence  and  fove- 
reignty  the  tenth. 


Convention     between      his      Britannic 
Majefty  and,    the    King    of  Spain, 
Jig f ud  at  London,  the  i^tb  of  Jul) r9 
1766. 

XHE  kings  of  England  and  of 
M      Spain,     animated    with    the 
fame   defire    of   confolidatrng,    by 
every  means  in   their  power,    the 
friendfhip 


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S  T  AT  E    PAPER  S. 


(263 


frlendfhip  fo  happily  fubfifting  be- 
tween them  and  their  kingdoms, 
and  wifhing,  with  one  accord,  to 
prevent  even  the  fhadow  of  mifun- 
derftahdihgr  which  might  be  occa- 
sioned by  doubts,  mifconceptions,  or 
other  caufes  of  difputes  between  the 
fubjecis  on  the  frontiers  of  the  two 
monarchies,  efpecially  in  diftant 
countries,  as  are  thofe  in  America, 
Kare  thought  proper  to  fettle,  with 
all  poffible  good  faith,  by  a  new 
convention,  the  points  which  might 
one  day  or  other  be  productive  of 
fuch  inconveniencies,  as  the  expe- 
rience of  former  times  has  very  of- 
ten fhewn.  To  this  end,  the  king 
of  Great  Britain  has  named  the 
mod  noble  and  moft  excellent  lord 
Francis,  barorf  Olborn  of  Kiveton, 
marquis  of  Carmarthen,  his  Bri- 
tannic majefty's  privy  councilor, 
and  principal  fecretary  of  ftate  for 
the  department  of  foreign  affairs, 
&c.  &c.  &c.  and  the  catholic  king 
has  likewife  authorifed'  Don  Ber- 
nardo del  Campo,  knight  of  the  no- 
ble order  of  Charles  the  Third,  fe- 
cretary of  the  fame  order,  fecretary 
of  the  fupreme  council  of  ftate,  and 
his  minifter  plenipotentiary  to  the 
king  of  Great  Britain  ;  who  having 
communicated  to  each  other  their 
refpe&ive  full  powers,  prepared  in 
due  form^  have  agreed  upon  the  fol- 
lowing articles. 

Art.  I.  His  Britannic  majefty's 
fubje&s,  and  the  other  colonics  who 
have  hitherto  enjoyed  the  protection 
of  England,  ihall  evacuate  the  coun- 
try of  the  Mofquitos,  as  well '  as 
the  continent  in  general,  and  the* 
iflands  adjacent,  without  exception, 
iituated  beyond  the  line  hereinafter 
defcribed,  as  what  ought  to  be  the 
frontier  of  the  extent  of  territory 
granted  by  his  catholic  majefty  to 
the  Englifh,  for  the  ufes  fpecified  m 


the  third  article  of  the  prefent  con- 
vention, and  in  additipn  to  the  coun- 
try already  granted  to  them  in  virtue 
of  the  ftipula'tions  agreed  upon  by 
the  commhTaries  of  the  two  crowns 
in  1783. 

Art.  II.  The  catholic  king,  to 
prove,  on  his  fide,  to  fhe  kiqg  of 
Great  Britain,  the  fincerity  of  his 
fentiments  of  friendfhip  towards  his  - 
faid  majefty  and  the  Britifh  nation, 
will  grant  to  the  Englifh  more  ex- 
tenfive  limits  than  thofe  fpecified  in 
the  laft  treaty  of  peace  j  and  the 
faid  limits  of  the  lands  added  by  the 
prefent  convention  fhall  for  the  fu- 
ture be  underftood  in  the  manner 
following.  x 

The  Englifh  line,  beginning  from 
the  fea,  fhall  take  the  centre  of  the 
river  Sibnn  or  Jabon,  and  continue 
up  to  the  fource  of  the  faid  river  $ 
from  thence  it  fhall  crofs  in  a  ftrait 
line  the  intermediate  land,  till  it  in- 
terfects  the  river  Wallis  3  and  by  the 
centre  of  the  fame  river,  the  faid 
line  fhall  defcend  to  the  point  where 
it  will  meet  the  line  already  fettled 
and  marked  out  by  the  commifTarie* 
of  the  two  crowns  in  1783  :  which  . 
limits,  following  the  continuation  of 
the  faid  line,  lhall  be  bbferved  as 
formerly  ftiputated  by  tlie  definitive 
treaty. 

Art.  III.  Although  no  other  ad- 
vantages have  hitherto  been  in  quef- 
tion,  except  that  of  cutting  wood  for 
dying,  yet  his  catholic  majefly,  as 
a  greater  proof  of  his  difpofition  to 
oblige  the  king  of  Great  Britain, 
will  grant  to  the  Engliih  the  liberty 
of  cutting  all  other  wood,  without 
even  -excepting  mahogany,  as  well 
as  gathering  all  the  fruits,  or  pro-  * 
duce  of  the  earth,  purely  natural 
and  uncultivated,  which  may,  be- 
tides being  earrie4  away  in  their  na^ 
tural  ftate,  become*an  object  of  uti- 

L*]  4  % 


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a64]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786.  - 


lity  or  of  commerce,  whether  for 
food  or  for  manufactures  ;  but  it  is 
cxprefsly  agreed,  that  this  ftipula- 
tion  is  never  to  be  afed  as  a  pretext 
for  eftablifhing  in  that  country  any 
plantation  of  fugar,  coffee,  cocoa, 
or  other  like  articles,  or  any  fabric 
or  manufa&ure,  by  means  of  mills 
or  other  machines  whatsoever  (this 
reftridtfon  however  does  not  regard 
the  ufe  of  faw  mills  for  cutting  or 
otherwife  preparing  the  wood)  fince 
all  the  lands  in  queition  being  indis- 
putably acknowledged  to  belong  of 
right  to  the  crown  of  Spain,  no  let- 
tlements  of  that  kind,  or  the  popu- 
lation which  would  follow,  could  be 
allowed. 

The  Englifh  {hall  be  permitted  to 
tranfport  and  convey  all  fuch  wood, 
and  other  produce  of  the  place,  in 
its  natural  and  uncultivated  ftate, 
down  the  rivers  to  the  fea,  but  with- 
out ever  going  beyond  the  limits 
which  are  prefcribed  to  them  by  the 
fiipulations  above  granted,  and  with- 
out thereby  taking  an  opportunity  of 

>eyond 
iesbe- 

lall  be 
ifland 
1a,  St. 
na,  in 
ince  of 
fite  to 
pon  as 
rj  but 
:  made 
itility  : 
>ntrary 
(h  go- 
iterefls 
is  per- 
as  an 
do  for- 
what- 
;re£ted 


there,  nor  any  body  of  troops  ported  > 
nor  any  piece  of  artillery  kept  there  i 
and  in  order  to  verify  with  good 
faith  the  accoraplilhment  of  this 
condition  fine  qua  won  (which  might 
be  infringed  by  individuals,  without 
the  knowledge  of  the  Britifh  go- 
vernment) a  Spanifh  officer  or  com- 
mhTary,  accompanied  by  an  Englifh 
commiffary  or  officer,  duly  autho- 
rized, fhall  be  admitted,  twice  a 
year,  to  examine  into  the  real  fitua- 
tion  of  things. 

Art.  V.  The  Englifh  nation  fhall 
enjoy  the  liberty  of  refitting  their 
merchantihips  in  the  fouthern  tri- 
angle included"between  the  Point  of 
Cayo  Carina,  and  the  clufter  of 
fmall  iflands  which  are^fltuated  pp- 
pofite  that  part  of  the  coaft  occupied 
by  the  cutters,  at  the  diftarice  of  eight 
leagues  from  the  river  Wallis,  Jeven 
from  Cayo  Cafina,  and  three  from 
the  river  Sibun,  a  place  which  has 
always  been  found  well  adapted  to 
that  purpofe.  For  wnich  end,  the 
edifices  and  ftore-houfes  'abfolutely 
neceflary  for  that  fervice  fhall  be 
allowed  to  be  built ;  but  in  this 
conceflion  is  alfo  included  the  ex- 
prefs  condition  of  not  ere&ing  for- 
tifications there  at  any  time,  or  Ra- 
tioning troops,  or  conftru&ing  any- 
military  works  j  and  in  like  man- 
ner it  mail  not  be  permitted  to  fta- 
tion  any  fhips  of  war  there,  or  jto 
conftru6t  an  arfenal,  or  other  build- 
ing, the  obje&  of  which  might  be, 
the  formation  of  a  naval  eftablifiV 
ment. 

Art.  VI.  It  is  alfo  ftipulated,  that 
the  Englifh  may  freely  and  peace- 
ably catch  fifh  on  the  coaft  of  the 
country  affigned  to  them  by  the  laft 
treaty  of  peace,  as  alfo  of  that  which  , 
is  added  to  them  by  the  prefent  con- 
vention \  but  without  going  beyond 
their  boundaries^and  confining  them- 

fciveg 


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STATE     P  A,?  E  R  S. 


[265 


felves  within  the  diftance  fpecifled 
in  the  preceding  article.     . 

Art.  VII.  All  the  reun£ions 
Specified  in  the  laft  treaty  pf  1783, 
for  the  entire  preferyation  of  the 
right  of  the  Spanifli  fovereignty 
over  the  country,  la.  which  is  grant- 
ed to  the  Engliih  only  the  privilege 
of  making  ufp  of  the  wood  of  the 
different  kinds,  the  fruits  and  other 

Eroduce,  hV  their  natural  ftate,  are 
ere  confirmed :  and  the  fame  re- 
ftri&ions  fhall  alfo  be  obferved  with 
refpedt  to  the  new  grant.  In  con- 
sequence, the  inhabitants  of  thofe 
counties  fhall  employ  themfelves 
limply  in  the  cutting  and  tranfport- 
ing  of  the  faid  wood,  and  in  the 
gathering  and  tranfporting  of  the 
fruits,  without  meditating  any  more 
extenfive  fettlements,  or  the  forma- 
tion of  any  fyftem  of\  government, 
either  military  or  civil,  further  than, 
fuch  regulations  as  their  Britannic 
and  catholic  majellies  may  hereafter 
judge  proper  to  eftablifh,  for  main- 
taining peace  and  good  order  amongft 
their  refpeftiye  fubje6ts. 

Art.  VIII.  As  it  is  generally  al- 
lowed that  the  woods  and  forefts  are 
preierved,  and  even  multiply,  by 
regular  and  methodical  cuttings, 
flie  Engliih  ihall  obferve  this  max- 
im, as  far  as  poflible ;  but  if,  not- 
withstanding all  their  precautions, 
it  mould  happen  in  courfe  of  time 
that  'they  were  in  want  of  dying- 
wood,  or  mahogany,  with  which  the 
Spanifh  porTerlions  might  be  pro- 
vided, the  Spanifli  government  mail 
make  rio  difficulty  to  furnifh  a  fup- 
r)ly  to  the  Engliih,  at  a  fair  and  rea- 
fouable  price. 

Art.  IX.  Every  poflible  precau- 
tion fhall  be  obferved  to  prevent 
fmuggling;  and  the  Engliih  fhall 
take  care  to  conform  to  the  regu- 
lations which  the  Spaniih  govern- 


ment Ihall  think  proper  to  efta-' 
blifh  amongit  their  own  fubje&s* 
in  all  communications  which  they 
may  have  with  the  latter  -,  on  con* 
dition  neverthelefs  that  the  Epglifh 
fhall  be  left  in  the  peaceable  en- 
joyment of  the  feveral  advantages 
inferted  in  their  favour  in  the  laft 
treaty,  or  ftipulated.  by  the  prefent 
convention. 

Art.  X.  The  Spanifh  governors 
fhall  be  ordered  to  give  to  the  faid 
£nglifh  difperfed,  all  poflible  faciT 
li'ties  for  their  removal  to  the  fettle- 
ments agreed  upon  ,by  the  prefent 
convention,  according  to  theftipu- 
lations  of  the  6th  article  of  the  defi- 
nitive treaty  of  1783,  with  refped  to 
the  country  allotted  for  their  ufe  by 
the  faid  article. 

Art.  XL  Their  Britannic  and 
Catholic  majefties,  in  order  to  re- 
move every  kind  of  doubt  with 
regard  to  the  true  conftru&ion  of 
the  prefent  convention,  think  i$ 
necenary  to  declare,  that  the  condi- 
tions of  the  faid  convention  ought 
to  be  obferved  according  to  their 
fincere  intention  to  enfure  and  im- 
prove the  harmony  and  good  un- 
demanding, which  fo  happily  fubfift 
at  prefent  between  their  faid  ma- 
jefties. 

In  this  view,  his  Britannic  ma- 
jelly  engages  to  give  the  moft  po- 
fitive  orders  for  the  evacuation  of 
the  countries  above  mentioned,  by 
all  his  fubje&s  of  whatever  denomi- 
nation j  but  i£  contrary  to  fuch 
declaration,  there  mould  mil  re-> 
main  any  perfons  fo  daring  as  to 
prefume,  by  retiring  into  the  inte* 
rior  country,  to  endeavour  to  ob- 
ftru6fc  the  entire  evacuation  already 
agreed  upon,  his  Britannic  majefty, 
fo  far  from  affording  them  the  leaft 
fuccour,  or  even  prote&ion,  will 
difavow  them  in  the  moft  folemn 
.manner, , 


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§66]      AN  K  UAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


manner,  as  he  will  equally  da  thofe 
who  may  hereafter  attempt  to  fettle 
upon  the  territory  belonging  to  the 
Spanifh  dominion. 

Art.  XII.  The  evacuation  agreed 
upon  /hall  be  completely  effected 
within  the  fpace  of  fix  months  after 
the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of 
this  convention,  or  fooner,  if  it  can 
be  done. 

Art.  XIII.  It  is  agreed  that  the 
new  grants  defcribed  in  the  pre- 
ceding articles,  in  favour  of  the 
Englifh  nation,  are  to  take  place 
as  loon  as  the  aforefaid  evacuation 
lhall  be  entirely  accomplifhed. 
"*  Art.  !XIV.  His  catholic  majefty, 
jprompted  folely  by  motives  of  hu- 
manity, promifes  to  the  king  of 
\England,  that  he  will  not  exercife 
any  aft  of  feverity  againft  the  Mof- 
quitos,  inhabiting  in  part  the  coun- 
tries which  are  to  be  evacuated  by 
yirtue  of  the  prefent  convention, 
en  account  of  the  connections  which 
may  have  fubfifted  between  the  faid 
Indians  and  the  Engliih ;  and  his 
Britannic  majefty,  on  his  part,  will 
ftriftly  prohibit  all  his  fubje6fcs  from 
furnifhing  arms,  or  warlike  (lores, 
to  the  Indians  in  general,  fituated 
upon  the  frontiers  of  the  Spanifh 
pofleflions. 

Art.  XV.  The  two  courts  fhall 
mutually  tranfmit  to  each  other 
duplicates  of  the  orders,  which  they 
are  to  difpatch  to  their  refpe&ive 
governors  and  commanders  in  Ame- 
rica, for  the  accomplifhment  of  the 
prefent  convention ;  and  a  frigate, 
or  proper  fhip  of  war,  fhall  be  ap- 
pointed, on  each  fide,  to  obferve 
in  conjunction  that  all  things  are 
performed  in  the  befl  order  poflible, 
and  with  that  cordiality  and  good 
faith  of  which  the  two  fover^igns 
have  been  pleafed  to  fet  the  ex- 
ample. 

Art.  XVI.    The  prefent  conven- 


tion fhall  be  ratified  by  their  Bri- 
tannic and  catholic  majefties,  and 
the  ratifications  exchanged,  within 
the  fpace  of  fix  weeks,  or  fooner,  if 
it  can  be  done. 

It  witnefs  whereof,  We,  the  un- 
derfigned  minifters  plenipotentiary 
of  their  Britannic  and  catholic  ma- 
jefties, in  virtue  of  our  refpe6tfve  full 
powers,  have  figned  the  prefent  con- 
vention, and  have  affixed  thereto  the 
feals  of  our  arms.     (Signed) 

Carmarthen,  &c.  &c. 

Don  Bernardo  bel  Campo, 
&c.  &c.  ' 
lybjufy,  1786. 


Treaty  of  Commerce  and  Navigation, 
between  bis  Britannic  Majefty  and 

.  tbe  Moft  Cbrifiian  King,  Jigned  at 
Verfailles,  tbe  z6tb  of  September* 
1786. 

HIS  Britannic  majefty,  and  his 
Moft  Chriftian  majefty,  be- 
ing equally  animated  with  the  defire 
not  only  of  confolidating  the  good 
harmony  which  actually  fubfifts  be- 
tween them,  but  alfo  of  extending 
the  happy ,  effects  thereof  to  their 
refpeftive  fubje<9ts,  have  thought 
that  the  moft  efficacious  means  for 
attaining  thofe  objects,  conformably 
to  the  1 8th  article  of  the  treaty,  of 
peace,  figned  the  6th  of  September, 
1783,  would  be  to  adopt  a  fyftem 
of  commerce  on  the  bafis  of  reci- 
procity and  mutual  convenience, 
which,  by  difcontinuing  the  prohi- 
bitions and  prohibitory  duties  which 
have  exifted  for  almoft  a  century 
between  the  two  nations,  might  pro- 
cure the  moft  folid  advantages,  on 
both  fides,  to  the  national  produc- 
tions and  induftry,  and  put  an  end 
to  contraband  trade,  no  lefs  injuri- 
ous to  the  public  revenue/  than  to 
that  lawful  commerce  which  is  alone  ' 

entitle^ 


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[267 


entitled  to  protection ;  for  this  end, 
their  faid  majefties  have  named  for 
their  commitraries  and  plenipoten- 
tiaries, to  wit,  the  king  of  Great 
Britain,  William  Eden,  ef^.  privy 
counfellorin  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land, member  of  the  Britiih  parlia- 
ment, and  his  envoy  extraordinary 
and  minifter  plenipotentiary  to  his 
Moft  Chriflian  majefty ;  and  the 
Moft  Chriftianldng,  the  Sieur  Jofeph 
Mathias  Garrard  de  Rayneval,  knt. 
counfellor  of  ftate,  knight  of  the 
royal  order  of  Charles  III.  who,  after 
having  exchanged  their  refpective 
full  powers,  have  agreed  upon  the 
following  articles : 

Art.  I.  It  is  agreed  and  conclu- 
ded between  the  moft  ferene  and 
moft  potent  king  of  Great  Britain, 
And  the  moft  ferene  and  moft  po- 
tent, the  Moft  fchriftian  king,  that 
there  fhall  be  a  reciprocal  and  en- 
tirely perfect  liberty  of  navigation 
and  commerce  between  the  fub- 
jects of  each  party,  in  all  and  every 
the  kingdoms,  ftates;  provinces, 
and  teritories,  fubject  to  their 
majefties  in  Europe,  for  all  and 
lingular  kinds  of  goods,  in  thofe 
places,  upon  the  conditions,  and 
_  in  fuch  a  manner  and  form  as  is 
fettled  and  adjufted  in  the  following 
articles :  r 

Art.  II.  For  the  future  fecurity 
of  commerce  and  friendfhip  be- 
tween the  fubjects  of  their  faid  ma- 
jefties, and  to  the  end  that  this  good 
correfpondence  may  be  preferved 
from  all  interruption  and  difturb- 
ance,  it  is  concluded  and  agreed,  that 
if,  at  any  time,  there  fhould  arifi?  any 
mifunderftanding,  breach  of  friend- 
fhip,  or  rupture  between  the  crowns 
of  their  majefties,  which  God  forbid ! 
(which  rupture  ihall  not  he  deem- 
ed to  exift  until  the  recalling  or  fend- 

*  ing  home  of  the  refpective  ambafla- 

•  dors  and  minifters)  the  fubjects  of 


each  of  the  two  parties  refiding  in 
the  dominions  of  th«  other,  fhall 
have  the  privilege  of  remaining  and 
continuing  their  trade  therein,  with- 
out any  manner  of  difturbance,  fo 
long  as  they  behave  peaceably,  and 
commit  no  offence  againft  the  laws 
and  ordinances ;  and  in  cafe  their 
conduct  fhould  render  them  tufpect- 
ed,  and  the  refpective  governments 
fhould  be  Obliged  to  order  them  to 
remove,  the  term  of  twelve  months 
fhall  be  allowed  them  for  that  pur- 
pofe,  in  order  that  they  may  re- 
move, with  their  effects  and  proper- 
ty, whether  entrufted  to  individuals, 
or  to  the  ftate.  At  the  fame  time  it 
is  to  be  underftood,  that  this  favour 
is  not  to  be  extended  to  thofe  who 
fhall  act  contrary  to  the  eftablifhed 
laws. 

Art.  III.  It  is  likewife  agreed 
and  concluded,  that  the  fubjects 
and  inhabitants  of  the  kingdoms, 
provinces,  and  dominions  of  their 
majefties,  fhall  exercife  no  acts  of 
hoftitfty  or  violence  againft  each 
other,  either  by  fea  or  by  land,  or 
in  rivers,  ftreams,  ports  or  havens, 
under  any  colour  or  pretence  what- 
foever ;  fo  that  the  fubjects  of  either 
party  fhall  receive  no  patent,  com- 
miflion,  or  inftruction  for  arming 
and  acting  at  fea  as  privateers,  nor 
letters  of  reprifal,  as  they  are  called, 
from  any  princes '  or.  ftates,  enemies  " 
to  the  other  party ;  nor  by  virtue,  or 
under  colour  of  fuch  patents,  com- 
miflions,  or  reprifals,  fhall  they  dif- 
turb,  infeft,  or  any  way  prejudice 
or  damage  the  afbrefaid  fubjects 
and  inhabitants  of  the  king  of  Great 
Britain,  or  of  the  Moft  Chriftian 
king  5  neither  ihall  they  arm  fhips 
in  fuch  manner  as  is  above  faid,  or 
go  out  to  fea  therewith.  To  which 
end,  as  often  as  it  is  required  by 
either  party,  ftrict  and  exprefs  pro-  m 
hibitions  fhall  be  renewed  and  pub- 

.    lifted 


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263]       ANNUAL    RE  G  I  S  T  E  R,  1786. 


1  iflied  in  all  the  territories,  coun- 
tries, and  dominions  of  each  party 
wherefoever,  that  no  one  ihall  in  any 
wife  ufe  fuch  commiflions  or  letters  v 
of  reprifal,  under  the  fevered  pu- 
niihment  that  can  be  inrlidted  on 
the  tranfgreflbrs,  belides  being  li- 
able to  make  full  reilitution  and 
fatisfadion  to  thofe  "to  whom  they 
have  done  any  damage  5  neither  ihall 
any  letters  of  reprifal  be  hereafter 
granted  by  either  of  the  faid  high 
contracting  parties,  to  the  preju- 
dice or  detriment  of  the  fubjeds  of 
the  other,  except  only  in  fuch  a  cafe 
wherein  jultice  is  denied  or  delayed  j 
which  denial  or  delay  of  juftice  ihall 
not  be  regarded  as  verified,  unlefsthe 
petitions  of  theperfon,  whodefires 
the  faid  letters  of  reprifal,  be  com- 
municated to  the  mini  Her  refiding 
there  on  the  part  of  the  prince  againit 
whofe  fubjeds  they  are  not  to  be 
granted,  that  within  the  fpace  of 
four  months,  or  fooner,  if  it  be  pof- 
fible,  he  may  manifeft  the  contrary, 
or  procure  the  fatisfadion  which 
may  bejuftly  due. 

Art,  IV.  The  fubjeds  and  inhabi- 
tants of  the  refpedive  dominions  of 
the  two  fovercigns  ill  all  have  liberty, 
freely  and  fecurely,  without  licence 
or  pafTport,  general  or  fpecial,  by 
land  or  by  fea,  or  any  other  way,  to 
enter  into  the  kingdoms,  dominions, 
provinces,  countries,  iilands,  cities, 
villages,  towns,  walled  or  un- 
walled,  fortified  or  unfortified,  ports, 
or  territories  whatfoever,  of  either 
fovereign,  iituated  in  Europe,  and 
to  return  from  thence,  to  remain 
there,  or  to  pafs  through  the  fame, 
and  therein  to  buy  and  purchafe,  as 
they  pleafe,  all  things  necetfary  for 
their  lubriflence  and  ufe,  and  they 
ihall  mutually  be  treated  with  all 
kindnefs  -and  favour.  Provided, 
however,  that  in  all  thefe  matters* 


they  behave  and  condud  thcm« 
{elves  conformably  to  the  laws  and 
ftatutes,  and  live  with  each  other  ia 
a  friendly  and  peaceable  manner, 
and  prompte  a  reciprocal  concord  by 
maintaining  a  mutual  and  good  un- 
derftanding. 

Art.  V.  The  fubjeds  of  each  of 
their  faid  majeilies  may  have  leave 
and  licence  to  come  with  their  mips, 
as  alfo  with  the  merchandizes  and 
goods  on  board  the  fame,  the  trade 
and  importation  whereof  are  not 
prohibited  by  the  laws  of  either 
kingdom,  and  to  enter  into  the 
countries,  dominions,  cities,  ports, 
places,  and  rivers  of  either  party, 
iituated  in  Europe,  to  refort  thereto, 
and  to  remain  and  refide  there, 
without  any  limitation  of  time ;  a!fo 
to  hire  houles,  or  to  lodge  with  other 
perfons,  and  to  buy  all  lawful  kinds 
of  merchandizes,  where  they  think 
fit,  either  from  the  firrt,  maker  or  the 
feller,  or  in  any  other  manner, 
whether  in  the  public  market  tor 
the  fale  of  merchandizes,  or  in  fairs, 
or  wherever  fuch  merchandizes  are 
manufadured  or  fold.  They  may 
likewife  depofit  and  keep  in  tbeif 
magazines  and  warehoufes  the  mer- 
chandizes brought  from  other  parts, 
and  afterwards  expofe  the  fame  to 
fale,  without  being  in  any  wife  obli- 
ged, unlefs  willingly  aud  of  their 
own  accord,  to  bring  the  faid  m*r* 
chandizes  to  the  marts  and  fairs. 
Neither  are  they  to  be  burthened 
with  auy  impoiitions  or  •  duties  on 
account  of  the  faid  freedom  of  trade, 
or  for  any  other  caufe  whatfoever, 
except  thofe  which  are  to  be  paid 
for  their  ihips  and  merchandizes, 
conformably  to  the  regulations  ot 
the  prefent  treaty,  or  thofe  to  which 
the  fubjeds  of  the  two  contracting 
parties  ihall  therofelves  be  liable. 
And  they  ihall  have  free  leave  tore- 
.   *  move 


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[*>9 


more  themfetves,  as  alfo  their  wives, 
children,  and  fervants,  together  with 
their  merchandizes,  property,  goods, 
or  effects,  whether  bought  or  im- 
ported, wherever  they  ihall   think 
fit,  out  of  either  kingdom,  by  land 
and  by  fea,  on  the  rivers  and  freih 
waters,  after  difcharging  the  ufual 
duties ;  any  law,  privilege,   grant, 
immunities,  or  cuftoms,  to  the  con- 
trary thereof  in  any  wile  notwith- 
itanding.      In  matters  of  religion, 
the  fubjects  of  the  two  crowns  ihall 
enjoy  perfect  liberty.  They  Ihall  not 
be  compelled  to  attend  divine  fer* 
vice,  whether  in    the  churches  or 
elfewhere  5   but,   on  the  contrary, 
they  (hall  be  permitted,  without  any 
molettation,  to  perform  the  exercites 
of  their  religion  privately  hi  their 
own  houfes,  and  in  their  own  way. 
Liberty  ihall  not  be  refufed  to  bury 
the  fubje&s  of  either  kingdom  who 
die  in  the  territories  of  the  other, 
in  convenient  places  to  be  appoint- 
ed for  that  purpofe :  nor  ihall  the 
funerals  or  fepulehres.  of  the  de* 
ceafed  be  in  any  wife  diftwrbed.  The 
laws  and  itatutes  of  each  kingdom 
ihall  remain  in  full  force  and  vi* 
gour,  and  ihall  be  duly  put  in  ex- 
ecution, whetiber  they  relate  to  cohv 
merce  and  navigation,  or   to  any 
other  right,  thofe  cafes  only  except- 
ed, concerning  which  it  is  otherwife 
determined  m  the  articles  of  this  jpre- 
fent  treaty. 

Art*  VI.  The  two  high  contract- 
ing parties  have  thought  proper  to 
fettle  the  duties  on  certain  goodn 
and  merchandizes,  in  order  to  fix 
invariably  the  footing  on  which  the 
trade  therein  ihall  be  eitabliihed  be- 
tween the  two  nations.  In  coafe- 
quence  of  which  they  have  agreed 
upon  the  following  tariff,  viz. 

ift.  T^he  wines  of  France/im- 
jK>rted  direftly*  from-  France   into 


Great  Britain,  (hall,  fn  no  cafe* 
pay  any  liigher  duties  than  thofe 
which  the  wines  of  Portugal  now 
pay. 

The  wines  Of  France,  imported 
directly  from  France  into  Ireland, 
ihall  pay  no  higher  duties  than  thofe 
which  they  now  pay. 

ad.  The  vinegars' of  France,  in* 
itead  of  tfixty-feven  pounds  five 
fhillings  and  three  pence  and 
twelve  twentieths  of  a  penny  iter* 
ling,  per  ton,  which  they  now  pay; 
ihall  not  for  the  future  pay,  in  Great 
Britain,  any  higher  duties  than 
thirty-two  pounds  eighteen:  ihil* 
lings  and  ten  pence  and  fix  teen  • 
twentieths  of  a  penny  iterling,  per 
ton.  *  ' 

3d.  The  brandies' of  France,  in- 
fleadof  nine  ihillings  and  fix  pence 
and  twelve  twentieths  of  a  penny 
fierluig,  ihall  for  the  future  pay, 
in  Great  Britain,  only  feven  mil- 
lings iterling  per  gallon,  makingfour 
quarts,  Engliih  meafure. 

4th.  Oil  of  olivbs,  coming  directly 
from  France .  ihall,  for  the  future, 
pay  no  higher  duties  than  are  now 
paid  for  the  fame  from  the  mod  fa- 
voured nations. 

5th.  Beer  ihall  pay  reciprocally1 
a  duty  of  thirty  per  cent,  ad  va- 
lorem. 

6th.  The  duties  on  hardware,  cut* 
lery,  cabinet  ware,  and  turnery,  and 
alfo  all  wbrks,  both  heavy  and  light* 
of  iron,  iteel,  copper,  and  brafs; 
ihall  be  clalfed;  and  the  higheftduty 
ihall  not  exceed  ten  per  cent,  ad 
Talorem. 

7th.  All  forts,  of  cottons  manu- 
factured in  the  dominions  of  the  two 
fovereigns  in  Europe,  and  alfo  wool- 
lens, whether  knit  or  wove,  includ- 
ing hofiery,  (hall  pay,  in  both  coun- 
tries, an  import  duty  of  twelve  per 
cent,  ad  valorem  5  all  manufactures 

of 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


*7o}      ANNUAL    REGISTERr    1786. 


of  cotton  or  wool,  mixed  with  (ilk 
excepted,  which  ihall  remain  pro- 
hibited on  both  fides. 

8th.  Cambricks  and  lawns  fhall 
pay,  in  both  countries,  an  import 
duty  of  five  millings,  or  fix  livres 
Tournois,  per  demi  piece  of  fe>jen 
yards  and  three  quarters,  Englifh 
meafure  ;  and  linens,  made  of  flax 
or  hemp,  manufactured  in  the  domi- 
nions of  the  two  fovereigns  in  Eu- 
rope, (hall  pay  no  higher  duties,  ei- 
ther in  Great  Britain  or  France,  than 
linens  manufactured  in  Holland  or 
Flanders,  imported  into  Great  Bri-> 
tain,  now  pay. 

And  linen  made  of  flax  or  hemp, 
manufactured  in  Ireland  or  France, 
ihall  reciprocally  pay  no  higher  du- 
ties than  linens  manufactured  in 
Holland,  imported  into  Ireland, 
now  pay. 

9th.  Sadlery  fhall  reciprocally  pay 
air  import  duty  of  fifteen  per  cent, 
"ad  valorem. 

ioth.  Gauzes  of  all  .forts  fhall 
reciprocally  pay  ten  per  cent,  ad  va- 
lorem. 

nth.  Millinery  made  uj>  of  muf- 
lin,  lawn,  cambrick,  or  gauze  of 
every  kind,  or  of  any  other  artiele 
admitted  under  the  prefent  tariff, 
I  fhall  pay  reciprocally  a  duty  of 
twelve,  per  cent,  ad  valorem :  and 
if  any  articles  fhall  be  ufed  therein, 
which  are  not  fpecified  in  the  taring 
they  fjiall  pay  no  higher  duties  than 
jthofe  paid  for  the  fame  articles  by 
the  moft  favoured  nations. 

iath.  Porcelain,  earthen-ware, 
and  pottery,  fhall  pay  reciprocally 
twelve  per  cent,  ad  valorem.     - 

13th.  Plate-glafs  and  glafs-ware 
in  general  fhall  be  admitted,  on  each 
fide,  paying  a  duty  of  twelve  per 
cent,  ad  valorem. 

His  Britannic  majefty  referves  the 
right  of  countervailing,  by  additional 


duties  on  the  undermentioned  mef* 
chandizes,  the  internal  duties  actu- 
ally impofed  upon  the  manufactures, 
or  the  import  duties  which  are  char- 
ged on  the  raw  materials ;  namely, 
on  all  linens  or  cottons,  ftained  or 
printed,  on  beer,  glafs-ware,  plate- 
glafs,  and  iron. 

And  bis  Moft  Chriftian  majefty 
alfo  referves  the  right  of  doing  the 
fame,  with  regard  to  the  following 
merchandizes  j  namely,  cottons,  iron, 
and  beer. 

And  for  the  better  fecuring  the 
due  collection  of  the  duties  payable 
ad  valorem,  which  are  fpecified  in 
the  above  tariff,  the  fa  id  contracting 
parties  will  concert  with  each  other 
as  well  the  form  of  the  declarations 
to  be  made,  as  alfo  the  proper  means 
of  preventing  fraud  with  refpect  to 
the  real  value  of  the  faid  goods  and 
merchandizes.  . 

But  if  it  fhall  hereafter  appeaiy 
that  any  miftakes  have  inadvertently 
been  made  in  the  above  tariff,  con- 
trary to  the  principles  on  which  it 
is  founded,  the  two  fovereigns  will 
concert  with  good  faith  upon  the 
means  of  rectifying  them. 

Art.  VII.  The  duties  above  fpe- 
cified are  not  to  be  altered  but  by 
mutual  confent  j  and  the  merchanT 
dizes  not  above  fpecified  fhall  pay, 
in  the  dominions  of  the  two  fove- 
reigns, the  import  and  export  duties 
payable  in  each  of  tne  faid  domir 
nions  by  the  moft  favoured  European 
nations,  at  the  time  the  prefent 
treaty  bears  date  $  and  the  fhips  be- 
longing to  the  fubjects  of  the  faid 
dominions  fhall  alfo  refpectively  en- 
joy therein  all  the  privileges  and 
advantages  which  are  granted  to 
thofe  of  the  moft  favoured  European 
nations.   , 

And  it  being  the  intention  of  the 
two  high  contracting  parties,  that 

their 


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STATE     PAPER  S, 


[271 


their  refpe£ttve  fubjects  fhould  be  in 
the  dominions  of  each  other  upon  a 
footing  as  advantageous  as  thofe 
cf  other  European  nations,  they 
agree,  that  in  cafe  they  ihall  here- 
after grant  any  additional  advan- 
tages in  navigation  or  trade  to  any 
other  European  nations,  they  will 
reciprocally  allow  their    faid  fub- 


it  be  under  the  name  of  a  free?  giftj 
or  under  any  other  pretence,  more; 
or  otherwife  than  what  is  above  pre- 
scribed $  in  fuch  cafe  the  faid  Of- 
ficer, or  his  deputy,  if  he  be^iccufed 
and  convicted  of  the  fame  before  a 
competent  judge,  in  the  place  when*, 
the  crime  was  committed,  ihall  give 
full  fatisfaction  to  the  injured  party, 


jects  to  participate,  therein ;  without  and  fhall  likewife  fuffer  the  penalty 

prejudice,  however,  to  the  advan-  prefcribed  by  the  laws, 

tages    which    they    referve,     viz.  Art.  VIII.   No  merchandize  exn 

France  in  favour  of  Spain,  in  con-  ported  from  the  countries  respective- 

fequence  of  the  ,24th  article  of  the  ly  under  the  dominion  of  their  ma- 

iamily  compact,  figned  the  10th  of  jetties,  mall  hereafter  befubjed  to  be 

May„i76i,  and  England  according  infpected  or  connfeated,  under  apy 


to  what  fhe  has  practifed  in  confor- 
mity (o,  and  in  con  fequence  of  the 
convention  of  1703,  between  Eng- 
land and  Portugal. 

And  to  the  end  that  every  per- 
fon  may  know,  with  certainty,  the 
ilate  of  the  aforefaid  impofts,  cuf- 
toms,  import  and  export  duties, 
whatever  they  may  be,  it  is  agreed, 
that  tariffs,  indicating  the  impofls, 
cuftoms,  and  eftabli fried  duties,  fhall 
be  affixeal  in  public  places,  as  well 
in  Rouen  and  the  other  trading  ci- 
ties of  France,  as  in  London  and 
the  other  trading  cities  under  the 
dominion  of  the  king  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, that  recourfe  may  be  had  to 
them  whenever  any  difference  fhall 
arife  concerning  fuch  impofts,  cuf- 
toms,  and  duties,  which  ihall  not 
be  levelled  otherwife  than  in  con- 
formity to  what  is  clearly  expreifed 
in  the  faid  tariffs,  and  according  to 
their  natural  gonftruction.  And  if 
any  officer,  or  other  perfon  in  his 
name,  fhall,  under  any  pretence, 
publicly  or  privately,  diredly  or 
indirectly,  demand  or  take  gf  a 
merchant,  or  of  any  other  perfon, 
any  fum  of  money,  or  any  thing 
#lfe,  on  account  of  duties,  impoft, 
foarch,  or  compenfation,  although 


pretence  of  fraud  or  defect  in  mak- 
ing or  working  them,  or  of  anf 
other  imperfection  whatfoever  5  but 
abfolute  freedom  fhall  be  allowed  to 
the  buyer  and  feller  to  bargain  and ' 
fix  the  price  for  the  fame,  as  they 
fhall  fee  good ;  any  law,  ftatute, 
edict,  proclamation,  privilege,  grant, 
or  cuftom  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
ftanding. 

.  Art.  IX.  Whereas  feveral  kinds  of 
merchandizes,  which  are  ufually 
contained  in  cafks,  chefts,  or  other 
cafes,  and  for  which  the  duties  are 
paid  by  weight,  will  be  exported 
from  and  imported  into  France  by 
Britifh  fubjectsj  it  ^s  agreed,  that 
in  fuch  cafe,  the  aforefaid  duties 
ihall  be  demanded  only  according 
to  the  real  weight  of  the  merchan- 
dizes -,  and  the  weight  of  the  calks* 
chefts,  and  other  cafes  whatever, 
fhall  be  deducted,  in  the  fame  ma,n? 
ner  as  has  been,  and  is  now  practifed 
in  England.  / 

Art.  X.  It,  is  further  agreed,  that 
if  any  miftake  or  error  fhall  be  goqit 
mitted  by  any  matter  of  a  fhip,  hi$ 
interpreter  or  factor,  or  by  any 
other  employed  by;  him,  in  making 
the  entry  or  declaration  of  her  car- 
go, neither  the  fhip  nor  the  cargo 

fhall 


Digitized  by\jOCK 


*7l]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,    17S6. 


fhdll  be  Subject,  for  fuch  defect,  to 
confifoation  5  but  it  ihall  be  lawTul 
for  proprietors  to  take  back  again 
fuch  goods  as  were  omitted  in  the 
entry  or  declaration  of  the  matter 
'of  the  fhip,  paying  only  the  accuf- 
tomed  duties  according  to  the  pla- 
cart,  provided  always  that  there  be 
no  manifeft  appearance  of  fraud : 
neither  mail  the  merchants  c*  the 
matters  of  mips,  or  the  merchan- 
dize, be  fnbject  to  any  penalty,  by 
reafon  of  fuch  omiffion,  in  cafe  the 
good*  omitted  in  the  declaration 
fhall  not  have  been  landed  before 
the  declaration  has  been  made. 

Art.  XI.  In  cafe  either  of  the  two 
high  contracting  parties  mail  think 
proper  to  eftablilh  prohibitions,  or 
to  augment  the  import  duties  upon 
any  goods  or  merchandize  of  the. 
growth  or  manufacture  of  the  other, 
■which  are  not  fj>ecified  in  the  tariff, 
iuch  prohibitions  or  augmentations 
ihall  be  general,  and  ihall  compre- 
hend the  like  goods  and  merchan- 
dizes of.  the  other  moft  favoured  Eu- 
ropean nations*,  as  well  as  thofe  of 
either  ftate  5  and  in  cafe  either  of 
the  two  contracting  parties  fhall  re- 
voke the  prohibitions,  or  diminifh 
the  duties  in  favour  of  any  other 
European  nation,  upon  any  goods 
or  merchandize  of  its   growth  or 
manufacture,  whether  on  importa- 
1  revoca- 
e  extend- 
er party, 
tter  ihall 
e  former 
■ration  of 
:handizes 
cafes  re- 
le  of  the 
)ted. 

1  as  a  cer- 
1  by  any 
in  divers 


parts  of  Great  Britain  and  France,  bjf 
which  French  fubjects  have  paid  in 
England  a  kind  of  capitation  tax, 
called  in  the  language  of  that  coun* 
try,  head-money  j  and  Englifh  fub- 
jects a  like  duty  in  France,  called 
argent  du  chef  \  it  is  agreed  that  the 
faid  impoft  fhall  not  be  demanded 
for  the  future,  on  either  fide,  neither 
under  the  ancient  name,  nor  unde* 
any  other  name  whatsoever. 

Art.  XIII.  If  either  of  the  high 
contracting  parties  has  granted,  at 
fhall  grant,  any  bounties  for  en- 
couraging the  exportation  of  any. 
articles,  being  of  the  growth,  pro- 
duce, or  manufacture  of  his  domi- 
nions, the  other  party  fhall  be  al- 
lowed "to  add.  to  the  duties  already 
impofed,  by  virtue  of  the  prefent 
treaty,  on  the  faid  goods  and  mer- 
chandizes imported  into  his  domi- 
nions, fuch  an  import  duty  as  fhall 
be  equivalent  to  the  faid  bounty. 
But  this  ftipulation  is  n6t  to  extend 
to  the  cafes  of  restitutions  of  duties 
.and  impofts  (called  drawbacks), 
which  are  allowed  upon  exporta- 
tion. 

Art.  XIV.  The  advantages  grant- 
ed by  the  prefent  treaty  to  the  fub- 
jects of  his  Britannic  majefty  fhall 
take  effect,  as  far  as  relates  to  the 
kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  as  foon 
as  laws  fhall  be  patted  there  for 
fecuring  to  the  fubjects  of  his  Moft 
Chriftian  majefty  the  reciprocal  en- 
joyment of  the  advantages  which 
are  granted  to  them  by  the  prefent 
treaty. 

And  the  advantages  granted  by 
all  thefe  articles,  except  the  tariff, 
fhall  take  effect,  with  regard  to  the 
kingdom  of  Ireland,  as  foon  as  laws 
fhall  be  paifed  there  for  fecuring 
to  the  fubjects  of  his  Moil  Chritlian 
majefty  the  reciprocal  enjoyment  of 
the  advantages  which  are  granted 

to 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


§  f  At  £    PAT?  E  ft  & 


to  them  by  this  treaty ;  and,  ih  like 
manner,  the  advantages  granted  by 
the  tariff  fhall  take  effed,  in  what 
relates  to  the  faid  kingdom*  as  foon 
as  laws  fhall  be  paffed  there  for  giv- 
ing effe&  to  the  faid  tariff. 

Art.  XV;  It  is  agreed,  that  fhips 
belonging  to  his  Britannic  majefty's 
fubjeSsi  arriving  in  the  dominions 
of  his  Moft  Chriftian  rnajefty,  from 
the  port  of  Great  Britain  or  Ireland, 
or  from  any  other  foreign  portj 
ihall  nbt  pay  freight  duty  or  any 
bother  like  duty.  In  the  fame  man- 
tier,  French  fhips  fhall  be  exempted 
in  the  dominions  of  his  Britannic 
majefty,'  from  the  duty  of  five  fhil- 
lings,  and  from  every  other  fimiJar 
duty  or  charge.    - 

Art.  XVI.  Jt  fhall  not  be  lawful 
for  any  foreign  privateers,  not  being 
fubjec\s  of  either  crown,  who  have 
Commiftions  from  any  other  prince 
br-ftate;  in  enmity  with  either  na- 
tion, to  arm  their  fhips  in  the  ports 
Of  either  of  the  faid  two  kingdoms, 
to  fell  what  they  have  taken,  or  in 
iany  other  manner  whatever  to  ex-* 
fchange the  f^me  ;  neither  fhall  they 
be  allowed  even  to  purchafe  vi6tuals, 
except  fuch  as  fhall  be  neceflary  for 
tkeir  going  to  the  neareft  port  of 
that  prince  from  whom  they  have 
obtained  commiflions. 
-  Art.  XVII.  When  any  difpute 
'fliall  arife  between  any  commander 
of  a  fhip  and  his  feamen,  in  the  ports 
of  either  kingdom,  concerning 
wages  due  to  the  faid  feamen,  or 
other  civil  caufes  whatever,  the  ma- 
giftrate  of  the  place  fhall  -require 
ho  more  from  the  perfon  acoufed, 
than  that  he  give  to  the  accufer  a 
declaration  in  writing,  witnefTed  by 
the  magiftrate,  whereby  he  fhall  be 
N  bound  tb  anfwer  that  matter  before 
a  competent  judge  in  his  own  coun- 
try ;  whidh  being  done,  it  fhall  not 

Vol.XXVIIL 


im 


be  lawful  for  the  feameti  to  defert 
their  fhip,  or  to  hinder  the  com- 
mander from  profecuting'his  voyage.  * 
It  fhall  moreover1  be  lawful  for  the 
merchants  irT  the  places  of  their 
abode,  or  elfewhere,  to  keep  books 
of  their  accounts  and  affairs,  as 
they  fhall  fee  fit,  and  to  have  an 
intercourfe  of  letters,  in  fuch  lan- 
guage or  idiom  as  they  fhall  chufe, 
without  any  moleftation  or  fearch 
whatfoever.  But  if  it  fhould  hap- 
pen to  be  neceflary  for  them  to  pro*N 
duce  theii4  books  of  accounts  fot ' 
deciding  any  difpute  or  corftrover- 
fy,  in  fuch,  cafe  they  fhall  be  ob- 
liged to  bring  into  court  the  entire 
books  or  writings,  but  fb  as  the 
judge  may  not  have  liberty  to  take 
Cognizance  of  any  other  articles  in 
the  faid  books  than  fuch  as5  fhall  ' 
relate  to  the  affair  ih  queftion,  of 
fuch  as  fhall  be  necefTary  to  give 
credit  to  the  faid  books ;  neither; 
fhall  it  be  lawful,  under  any  pre-  ♦ 
tence,  to  take  the  faid  books  of 
writings  forcibly  out  Of  the  hands 
of  the  ownersi  or  to  retain  them, 
the  cafe  of  bankruptcy  only  except- 
ed. Nor  fhall  the  fubje&s  of  the 
king  of  Great  Britain  be  obliged  to 
write  their  accounts,  letters,  or 
other  inftrUments  relating  to  tra^e* 
On  flamped  paper,  except  their  day- 
book, which,  that  it  may  be  pro- 
duced as  evidence  in  any  law-fuit> 
ought,  according  to  the'laws  which 
all,  perfbns  trading  in  France  are  to  ' 
obferve,  to  be  ittdoried  and  attefled 
gratis  by  the  judge,  under  his  own 
hand. 

Art.  XVIII.  It  is  further  agreed 
and  concluded,  that  all  merchants* 
commanders  of  fhips,  and  others,  the 
fubje&s  of  the  king  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, in  all  the  dominions  of  his 
moft  Chriflian  majefty  in  Europe* 
fhall  have  full  liberty  to  manage 

[*]  *  their 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


*74]       ANNUAL    R  E  G  I  ST  E  R,  1786. 

their  own  affairs  themfelves,  or  to 
commit  them  to  the  management  of 
whomsoever  they  pleafe ;  nor  fhall 
they 'be  obliged  to  employ  any  .in- 
terpreter or  broker,  nor  to  pay  them 
any  falary,  unlefs  they  lhall  chufe 
to  employ  them.  Moreoyer,  maf- 
ters  of  fhips  lhall  not  be  obliged, 
in  loading  or  unloading  their  fhips, 
to  make  ufe  of  thofe  perfons  who 
may  be  appointed  by  public  autho- 
rity for  that  purpofe,  either  at 
Bourdeaux  or,  elfewhere;  but  it 
ihall .  be  entirely  free  for  them  to 
load  of  unload  their  iliips  by  them- 
felves, or  to  make  ufe  of  fuch  per- 
fon  or  perfons  in  loading  or  unload- 
ing the  fame,  as  they  fhall  think  fit, 
without  the  payment  of  any  reward 
to  any  other  whomfoever  -,  neither 
fhall  they  be  forced  to  unload  into 
other  fhips,  or  to  receive  into  their 
own,  any  merchandize  whatever, 
©r  to  wait  for  their  lading  any  longer 
than  they  pleafe.  And  all  the  fub- 
je6ts  of  the  Moft  Chriftian  king  fhall 
reciprocally  have  and  enjoy  the  fame 
privileges  and  liberties,  in  all  the 
dominions  of  his  Britannic  majefty 


r  party 
coafts 
ed  by 
:ts,  or 

other 
3e  ob- 
>r  any 

duty, 
ccord, 
d  fell 
lall  be 
nfirft 
e  the 
toun- 

their 
*  pur- 
r  vic- 
;  and 


in  that  cafe  the  whole  lading  ihall 
not  be  fubje&  to  pay  the  duties,  but 
that  fmall  part  only  which  fhall  have 
been  taken  out  and  fold. 

Art.  XX.  It  fhall  be  lawful  for  all 
the  fubje&s  of  the  king  of  Great 
Britain,  and  of  the  Moft  Chriftian 
king,  to  fail  with  their  fhips,  with 
perfect  fecurity  and  liberty,  no  dif- 
tin&ion  being  made  who  are  the 
proprietors  of  the  merchandizes  la- 
den thereon,  from  any  port  what- 
ever,  to  the  .  countries  which  are 
now,  or  ihall  be  hereafter  at  war 
with  the  king  of  Great  Britain,  or 
the  Moft  Chriftian  king.  It  fhall 
likewife  be  lawful  for  the  aforefaid 
fubje&s  to  fail  and  traffic  with  their 
iliips  and  merchandizes,  with  the 
fame  liberty  and  fecurity,  from  the 
countries,  ports,  and  places  of  thofe 
who  are  enemies  of  both,  or  of  ei- 
ther party,  without  any  opposition 
or  difturbance  whatfoever,  and .  to 
pafs  dire&ly  not  only  from  -the 
places  of  the  enemy  afore-mention- 
ed to  neutral  places,  but  alio  from 
one  place  belonging  to  an  enemy 
to  another  place  belonging  to  m 
enemy,  whether  they  be  under  the 
jurifcfi&ion  of  the  fame,  or  of  fc» 
veral  princes.  And  as  it  has  been 
ftipulated  concerning  fhips  and 
goods,  that  every  thing  fhall  be 
deemed  free,  which  fhall  be  found 
on  board  the  iliips  belonging  to  the 
fubjects  of  the  refpe&ive  kingdoms, 
although  the  whole  lading,  or  part 
thereof,  fhould  belong"  to  the  ene- 
mies of  their  majefties,  contraband 
goods  being  always  excepted,  on 
the  flopping  of  which  fuch  pro- 
ceedings fhall  be  had  as  are  con- 
formable to  the  ipirit  of  the  fol- 
lowing articles  \  it  is  likewife 
agreed,  that  the  fame  liberty  be  ex- 
tended to  perfons  who  are  on  board 
a  free  fhip,  to  the  end  that,  al- 
though 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


STATE     PAPERS. 


"C»7f. 


though  they  be  enemies  to  both,  or 
to  either  party,  they  may  not  be  ta- 
ken out  of  fuch  free  {hips,  unlefs 
they  are  foldiers,  actually  in  the  fer- 
vice  of  the  enemies,  and  on  their 
voyage  for  the  purpofe  of  being  em- 
ployed in  a  military  capacity,  in  their 
fleets  or  armies. 

Art.  XXI.  This  liberty  of  naviga- 
tion and  commerce  {hall  extend  to 
all  kinds  of  merchandizes,  except- 
ing thofe  only  which  are  fpecified  in 
the  following  article,  and  which  are 
defcribed  under  the  name  of  con- 
traband. 

Art.  XXII.  Under  this  name  of 
contraband,  or  prohibited  goods, 
ftall  be  comprehended  arms,  can- 
non, harqoebufles,  mortars,  petards, 
bombs,  granades,  faucuTes,  carcafTes, 
carriages  for  cannon,  muiket-refts, 
bandoleers,  gunpowder,  match,  falt- 
petre,  ball,  pikes,  fwords,  head* 
pieces,  helmets,  cutlafles,  halberds, 
javelins,  holtfters,  belts,  horfes  dnd 
harnefs,  and  all  other  like  kinds  of 
arms  and  warlike  implements  fit  for 
the  ufe  of  troops. 

Art.  XXIII.  Thefe  merchandizes 
which  follow  fhall  not  be  reckoned 
among  contraband  goods,  that  is  to 
fay;  all  forts  of  cloth,  and  all  other 
manufactures  of  wool,  flax,  filk, 
cotton,  or  any  other  materials,  all 
kinds  of  wearing  apparel,  together 
with  the  articles  of  which  they  are 
ufually  made,  gold,  filver,  coined 
or  uncoined,  tin,  iron,  lead,  copper, 
brafs,  coals,  as  alfo  wheat  and  bar- 
ley, and  any  other  kind  of  corn  and 
pulfe,  tobacco,  and  all  kinds  of 
fpices,  falted  and  fmoaked  flefli,  fak- 
ed filh,  cheefe  and  butter,  beer,  oil, 
wines,  fugar,  all  forts  of  fait,  and 
of  provisions  which  ferve  for  fufte- 
nance  and  food  to  mankind ;  alfo 
all  kinds  of  cotton,  cordage,  cables, 
iails,  failclotb,  hemp,  tallow,  pitch, 


tar,  and  rofin,  anchors  and  any  parts 
of  anchors,  Ihips  mafts,  planks, 
timber  of  all  kinds  of  trees,  and  all 
other  things  proper  either  for  build- 
ing or  repairing  ihips.  Nor  {hall 
any  other  goods  whatever,  which 
have  not  been  Worked  into  the  form 
of  any  inftrument,  or  furniture  fof 
warlike  ufe,  by  land  or  by  lea,  be 
reputed  contraband,  much  lefs  fuch 
as  have  been  already  wrought  and 
made  up  for  any  other  purpofe.  AH 
which  things  lhall  be  deemed  goods 
not  contraband,  as  like  wife  all 
others  which  are  not  comprehended 
and  particularly  defcribed  in  the 
preceding  article ;  fo  that  they  may 
be  freely  carried  by  the  fubje&s  o( 
both  kingdoms,  even  to  places  be- 
longing to  ah  enemy,  excepting 
only  fuch  places  as  are  befieged, 
blocked  up,  or  invefted. 

Art.  XXIV.  To  the  end  that  all 
manner  of  diflentions  and  quarrels 
may  be  avoided  and  prevented  oh. 
both  fides,  it  is  agreed,  that  in  cafe 
either  of  their  majefties  fhould  be 
engaged  in  a  war,  the  {hips  and 
veflels  belonging  to  the  fubjects  of 
the  other  {hall  be  furniflied  with 
fba-letters  or  pafiports,  exprelfing 
the  name,  property,  and  bulk  of 
the  ihip,  as  alfo  the  name  and  place 
of  abode  of  the  matter  or  com- 
mander of  the  faid  ihip,  that  it  may 
appear  thereby  that  the  {hip  really 
and  truly  belongs  to  the  fnbje&s  of 
one  of  the  princes  ?  with  pafTports 
lhall  be  made  out  and  granted,  ac- 
cording to  the  form  annexed  to  the 
prefent  treaty:  they  {hall  likewife 
be  renewed  every  year,  if  the  ihip 
happens  to  return  home  within  the 
{paca  of  a  year.  It  is  alio  agreed* 
that  fuch  ihips  when  laden  are  to  be 
provided  not  only  with  paflports  as 
above  mentioned,  but  alfo  with  cer- 
tificates containing  the  feveral  par- 
ts] j,  ticulara 


Digitized  by  Vj( 


*l6]       ANNUAL   REGISTER*  1786. 


ticulara  of  the  cargo,  the  place  from 
•whence  the  ihip  failed,  and  whither 
fhe  is  bound,  fo  that  it  may  be 
known  whether  fhe  carries  any  of 
the  prohibited  or  contraband  goods 
Specified  in  the  XX I  Id  article  of 
this  treaty  5  which  certificates  {hall 
"be  prepared  by  the  officers  of  the 
place  from  whence  the  {hip  fet  fail, 
In  the  accuftomed  form.  And  if  any 
one  Hiall  think  fit  to  exprefs  in  the 
faid  certificates  the  perfon  to  whom 
the  goods  belong,  lie  may  freely 
do  fo. 

Art.  XXV.  The  ihips  belonging 
to  the  fubje&s  and  inhabitants  of 
the  rcfpe6t;ve  kingdoms,  coming  to 
any  of  the  coafts  of  erther  of  them, 
but  without  being  willing  to  enter 
into  port,  or  being  entered,  yet  not 
willing  to  land  their  cargoes,  or 
break  bulk,  ill  all  not  be  obliged  to 
givean  account  of  their  landing,  un- 
lefs  they  are  fufpe&ed,  upon  fure 
evidence,  of  carry ing  prohibited 
goods,  called  contraband,  to  the 
enemies  of  either  of  the  two  high 
contracting  parties. 

-  Art.  XXVI.  ,  In  cafe  the  (hips 
belonging  to  the  faid  fubjects  and 
inhabitants  of  the  refpective  do- 
minions of  their  moil  ferene  ma* 
'jetties,  either  on  the  coaft  or  on  the 
high  fcas,  fhall  meet  with  any  men 
of  war  belonging  to  their  molt 
icrene  majeilies,  or  with  privateers, 
the  faid  men  of  war  and  privateers, 
for  preventing  any  inconveniences, 
are  to  remain  out  of  cannon-fhot, 
and  to  fend  their  boats  to  the  mer- 
cbant-fhip  which  may  be  met  with, 
and  fhall  enter  her  to  the  number  of 
two  or  three  men  only,  to  whom, 
the  matter  or  commander  of  fuch 
lhip  or  veffel  fhall  fhew  his  paff- 
port,  containing  the  proof  of  the  pro- 
perty of  the  fhip,  made  out  accord- 
ing to  the  form  annexed  to  this  pre* 


fent  treaty  5  an4  the  fhip  which  fhatt 
have  exhibited  the  fame  fhall  have 
liberty  to  continue  her  voyage,-  and 
it  fhall  be  wholly  unlawful  any 
way  to  moleit  or  fearch  her,  or 
to  chafe  or  compel  her  to  alter  her 
courfe. 

Art. XXVII.  Theraerchant-fhip* 
belonging  to  the  fubje&s  of  either  of 
the  two  high  contracting  parties, 
which  intend  to  go  to  a  port  at  en- 
mity wkh  the  other  fovereign,  con- 
cerning whofe  voyage  and  the  fort 
of  goods  on  board  there  may  be  jutt 
caufe  of  lufpicion, fhall  be  obliged 
to  exhibit,  as  well  on  the  high  leas 
as  in  the  ports  and  havens,  not  only 
her  patfports,but  alfoher  certificates, 
expreiiing  that  the  goods  are  not  of 
the  kind  which  are  contraband,  as 
fpecified  in  the  XXlId  article  of  this 
treaty. 

Art.  XXVIII.  If,  on  exhibiting 
the  above-mentioned  certificates, 
containing  a  lift  of  the  cargo,  the 
other  party  mould  difcover  any 
goods  of  that  kind  which  are  de- 
clared contraband,  or  prohibited  by 
the  XXIId  article  of  ^this  treaty,  and 
which  are  defigned  for  a  port  fub- 
jeet  to" his  enemies,  it  fhall  be  un- 
lawful to  break  up  or  open  the 
hatches,  chefts,  cafks,  bales,  or  other 
vefiels  found  on  board  fuch  fhip,  or 
to  remove  even  the  fmalleft  parcel 
of  the  goods,  whether  the  faid  fhip 
belongs  to  the  fubje&a  of  the  king 
of  Great  Britain,  or  of  the  Moft 
Cluiftian  king,  unlefs  the  landing 
be  brought  on  fhore,  in  the  pre* 
fence  of  the  officers  of  the  court  of 
admiralty,  and  an  inventory  made  by 
them  of  the  faid  goods :  nor  fhall  it 
be  lawful  to  fell,  exchange,  or  ali- 
enate the  fame  in  any  manner,  unlefs 
after  due  and  lawful  procefs  fhall 
have  been  had  againft  fuch  prohi- 
bited goods,  and  the  judges  of  the 
admiralty 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


STATE      PAPERS. 


admiralty  refpe&ively  fhalU  by  fen- 
tence  pronounced,*  have  confifcated 
the  fame  5  faving  always  as  well  the 
fhip  itfelf,  as  the  other  goods  found 
thereinr  which  by  this  treaty  are  to 
be  accounted  free :  neither  may  they 
be  detained  on  pretence  of  their  be- 

-  ing  mixed  with  prohibited  goods, 
much  lefs  fhall  they  be  confifcated 
as  lawful  prize  :  and  if,-  when  only 
part  of  the  cargo  fhall  confirt  of  con- 

,  traband  goods,  the  mailer  of  the 
fhip  fhall  agree,  confent,  and  offer 
to  deliver  them  to  the  captor  who 
has  difcovered  them,  m.fuch  cafe, 
the  captor  having  received  thofe 
goods  as  lawful  prize,  ihall  forth- 
with releafe  the  fhip,  and  not  hinder 
her,  by  any  means,  from  profecut- 
ing  her  voyage  to  the  place  of  her 
deitmation. 

Art.- XXIX.  On  the  contrary  it 
is  agreed,  that  whatever  fhall  be 
found  to  be  laden  by  the  fubjects 
and  inhabitants  of  either  party,  on 
any  fhip  belonging  to  the  enemies 
of  the  other,  "although  it  be  not  con- 
traband goods,  mall  be  confifcated 
in  the  fame  manner  as  if  it  belong- 
ed to  the  enemy  himfelf ;  except 
thofe  goods  and  merchandizes  which 
were  put  on  board  fuch  ihip  before 
the  declaration  of  war,  or  the  gene-r 
ral  order  for  reprifals,  or  even  after 
fuch  declaration,  if  it  were  done 
-within  the  times  following  5  that  is 
to  fay,  if  they  were  put  on  board 
fuch  fhip  in  any  port  or  place  within 
the  fpace  of  two  months  after  fuch 
declaration  or  order  for  reprifals, 
between  Archangel,  St.  Peterf burgh, 
and  the  Scilly  iilands,  and  between 
the  faid  iflands  and  the*  city  of  Gi- 
braltar} of  ten  weeks  in  the  Medi- 
terranean fea;  and  of  eight  months 
in  any  other  country  or  place  in  the 
world ;  fo  that  the  goods  of  the  fub- 
je&s  of  either  prince,  whether  they 


[277 

be  contraband,  or  otherwife,  which, 
as  aforefaid,  were  put  on  board  any 
fhip  belonging  to  an  enemy  before 
the  war,  or  after  the  declaration  of 
the  fame,  within  the  time  and  limits 
above-mentioned,  fhall  nd  ways  be 
liable  to  conhTcatlon,  But  fhall  well 
and  truly  be  reftored,  without  de- 
lay, to  the  proprietors  demanding 
the  fame  5  provided  nevertheleC 
^hat  if  the  faid  merchandizes  be 
contraband,  it  fhall  not  be  any 
ways  lawful  to  carry  them  after- 
wards to  the  ports  belonging  to  the 
enemy. 

Art.  XXX.  And  that  more  abun- 
dant care  may  be  taken  for  the,  fe- 
curity  of  the  refpe&ive  fubje&s  of 
their  moll  ferene  majefties,  to  pre- 
vent their  fufFering  any  injury  by 
the  men  of  war  or  privateers  of 
either  party,  all  the  commanders  of 
the  mips  of  the  king  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, and  of  the  Moft  Chriftian  king, 
and  all  their  fubjects,  fhall  be  for- 
bid doing  any  damage  to  thofe  of  the 
other  party,  or  committing  any  out- 
rage againft  them  5  and  if  they  a& 
to  the  contrary  they  fhall  be  punifli- 
ed,  and  fhall  moreover  be  bound,  in 
their  perfons  and  eftates,  to  make 
fatisfacHon  and  reparation  for  all 
damages,  and  the  intereit  thereof* 
of  what  nature  foever. 

Art.  XXXI.  For  this  caufe,  all' 
commanders  of  privateers,  before, 
they  receive  their  patents  or  fpeciai 
commiilions,  fhall  hereafter  be  o- 
bliged  to  give,  before  a  competent 
judge,  fufficient  fecurity  by  good 
bail,  who  are  refponfible  men,  and 
have  no  interefl  in  the  faid  fhip, 
each  of  whom  fhall  be  bound  in  the 
Whole  for  the  fum'of  thirty-fix  thou- 
farid  livres  Tournois,  or  fifteen  hun- 
dred pounds  fterling  j  or  if  fuch  fhip 
be  provided  with  above  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  teamen  or.  foldier9, 

W3         •     ■  •      fi» 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ft7*]      ANNUAL-REGISTER,  1786. 


for  the  fum  of  feve nty-two  thoufand 
livres  Tournois,  or  three  thoufand 
pounds  fierling,  that  they  will  make 
entire  fatisfa&ion  for  all  damages 
and  injuries  whatfoever,  which  they, 
or  their  officers,  or  others  in  their 
fervice,  may  commit  during  their 
cruize,  contrary  to  the  tenor  of  this 
prefent  treaty,  or  the  edi£ls  made 
in  confequenee  thereof  by  their 
xnoft  ferene  majefties,  under  penalty 
likewife  of  having  their  patents  and 
fpecial  commiffions  revoked  and  an- 
nulled. 

b  Art.  XXXII.  Their  faid  majef- 
ties being  willing  mutually  to  treat 
in  their  dominions  the  fubje&s  of 
each  other  as  favourably  as  if  they 
'  "were  their  own  fubje&s,  will  give 
fuch  orders  as  fhall  be  neceflary  and 
effe&ual,  that  the  judgments  and 
decrees  concerning  prizes  in  the 
courts  of  admiralty  be  given  con- 
formably to  the  rules  of  juftice  and 
equity,  and  to  the  ftipulations  of 
this  treaty,  by  judges  who  are  above . 
all  fufpicion,  and  who  have  no 
manner '  of  intereft  in  the  caufe  in 
difpute. 

Art.  XXXIII.  And  when  the 
quality  of  the  fhip,  goods,  and 
matter^  lhall  fufficiently  appear, 
from  fuch  paflports  and  certificates, 
it  lhall  not  be  lawful  for  the  com- 
manders of  men  of  war  to  exa£t  any 
further  proof  under  any  pretext 
wnatfoever.  But  if  any  merchant- 
Ihip  fhall  not  be  provided  with  fuch 
paflports  or  certificates,  then  it  may 
be  examined  by  a  proper  judge, 
but  in  fuch  manner  as,  if  it  fhall  be 
found,  from  other  proofs  and  docu- 
ments,, that  it  truly  belongs  to  the 
fubje&s  of  one  of  the  fovereigns, 
and  does  not  contain  any  contra- 
band goods,  defigned  to  be  carried 
to  the  enemy  of  the  other,  it  fhall 
not  be  liable  to  confiscation,  but 


fhall  be  releafed,  together  with  its 
cargo,  in  order  to  proceed  on  its 
voyage. 

It  the  matter  of  the  fhip  named 
in  the  paflports  fliould  happen  to 
die,  or  be  removed  by  any  other 
caufe,  and  another  put  in  his  place, 
the  fhips  and  goods  laden  thereon 
fhall  neverthelefs  be  equally  fecure, 
and  the  paflports  fhall  remain  in 
full  force. 

Art.  XXXIV.  It  is  further  pro- 
vided and  agreed,  that  the  fhips  of 
either  of  the  two  nations,  retaken  by 
the  privateers  of  the  other,  fhall  be 
reflored  to  the  former  owner,  if  they 
have  not  been  in  the  power  of  the 
enemy  for  the  fpace  of  four  and 
twenty  hours,  fubjed  to  the  pay- 
ment, by  the  faid  owner,  of  one 
third  of  the  value  of  the  fhip  reta- 
ken, and  of  its  cargo,  guns,  and 
apparel  5  which  third  part  fhall  be 
amicably  adjufted  by  the  parties  con- 
cerned :  but  if  not,  and  in  cafe  they 
fhould  difagree,  they  fhall  make  ap- 
plication to  the  officers  of  the  admi- 
ralty of  the  place  where  the  priva- 
teer which  retook  the  captured  veflel 
fhall  have  carried  her. 

If  the  fhip  retaken  has  been  in 
the  power  of  the  enemy  above  four 
and  twenty  hours,  fhe  fhall  wholly 
belong  to  the  privateer  which  retook 
her. 

In  cafe  of  a  fhip  being  retaken  by 
any  man  bf  war  belonging  to  his 
Britannic  majefty,  or  to  his  Moft 
Chriftian  Majefty,  it  fhall  be  re- 
ftored  to  the  former  owner,  on  pay- 
ment of  the  thirtieth  part  of  the 
value  of  fuch  fhip,  and  of  its  cargo, 
guns,  and  apparel,  if  it  was  retaken 
within  the  four  and  twenty  hours, 
and  the  tenth  part  if  it  was  retaken 
after  the  four  and  twenty  hours  j 
which  fums  fhall  be  difixibuted,  as  a 
reward,  auiongft  (he  crews  of  the 

fhip* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


STATE     PAPERS, 


[279 


Slips  which'  fliall  have  retaken  fuck 
prize.  The  valuation  of  the  thir- 
tieth and  tenth  parts  above  men- 
tioned fhall  tie  fettled  conformably 
to  the  regulations  in  the  beginning 
of  tliis  article. 

Art.  XXXV.  Whenfoever  the 
ambafladors  of  either  of  their  faid 
majeflies,  or  other  their  minifters 
having  a  public  character,  and  re- 
ading at  the  court  of  the  other 
prince,  fhall  complain  of  the  injus- 
tice of  the  fentences  which  have 
been*  given,  their  majefties  fliall  re-^ 
fpectively  caufe  the  fame  to  be  re- 
vifed  and  re-examined  in  their  coun- 
cils* unlefs  their  councils  mould  al- 
ready have  decided  thereupon,  that 
it  may  appear,  with  certainty,  whe- 
ther the  directions  and  provifions 
prefcribed  in  this  treaty  have  been 
followed  and  obferved.  Their  ma- 
jellies  fhall  likewife  take  care  that 
this  matter  be  effectually  provided 
for,  and  that  juftice  be  done  to  every 
complainant  within  tbefpace  of  tfiree 
months.  However,  before  'or  after 
judgment  given,  and  pending  the 
revifion  thereof,  it  fhall  not  be  law- 
ful to  fell  the  goods  in  difpute,  or  to . 
unlade  them,  unlefs  with  the  con- 
tent of  the  perfons  concerned,  for 
Ereventing  any  kind  of  lof£;  and 
iws  fhall  be  enacted  on  both  fides 
for  the  execution  of  the  prefent  ar- 
ticle. 

Art.  XXXVI.  If  any  differences 
fhall  arife  refpecting  the  legality  of 
prizes,  fo  that  a  judicial  decifion 
fhould  become  neceffary,  the  judge* 
fliall  direct  the  ejects  to  be  unladen, 
an#  inventory  and  appraifement  to 
be  made  thereof,  and  fecurity  to  be 
required  refpectively  from  the  cap- 
tor for  paying  the  cofts,  in  cafe  the 
fhip  fhould  not  be  declared  lawful 
prize ;  and  from  the  claimant  for 
paying  the  value  of  the  prize,  in 


cafe  it  fhould  be  declared  lawful ; 
which  fecuri ties 'being  given  by  both 
parties,  the  prize  fhall  be  delivered 
up  to  the  claimant.  But  if  the 
claimant  fhould  refufe  to  give  fuffi- 
cient  fecurity,  the  judge  fhall  direct 
the  prize  to  be  delivered  to  the  cap- 
tor, after  having  received  from  him 
good  and  fufficient  fecurity  for  pay- 
ing the  full  value  of  the  faid  prize, 
in  cafe  it  fhould  be  adjudged  ille^ 
gal.  Nor  fhall  the  execution  of  the 
fentence  of  the  judge  be  fufpended 
by  reafon  of  any  appeal,  when  the 
party  againft  whom  fuch  appeal  * 
fhall  be  brought,  whether  claimant 
or  captor,  fhall  have  given  fuffi- 
cient fecurity  for  reftoring  the  fhip 
or  effects,  or  the  value  of  fuch  fhip , 
or  effects,  to  the  appellant,  in  cafe 
judgment  fhould  be  given  in  his  fa- 
vour. 

Art.  XXXVII.  In  cafe  any  fhips 
of  war  or  merchantmen,  forced'  by 
ftorms  or  other  accidents,  be  driven 
on  rocks  or  fhelves,  on  the  coafts  of 
either  of  the  high  contracting  par- 
ties, and  fhould  there  be  dafhed  to 
pieces  and  fhipwrecked,  all  fuch 
parts  of  the  faid  fhips,  or  of  the  fur- 
niture or  apparel  thereof,  as  alfo  of 
the  goods  and  merchandizes  as  fhall 
be  faved,-  or  the  produce  therqpf, 
fhall  be  faithfully  reitored,  upon  the 
fame  being  Claimed  by  the  propri- 
etors, or  their  factors,  duly  autho- 
rized, paying  only  the  expences  in- 
curred in  the  prefervation  thereof, 
according  to  the  rate  of  falvage  fet- 
tled on  both  fides;  faving  at  the 
fame  time  the  rights  and  cufloms  of 
each  nation,  the  abolition  or  modi- 
fication of  which  ihall  however  be 
treated  upon,  in  the  cafes  where  they 
fliall  be  contrary  to  the  ttipulations 
of  the  prefent  article^  and  their  ma- 
jeflies will  mutually  interpofe  their 
authority,  that  fuch  of  their  fub- 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC. 


a8o]      ANNUAL   REGISTER,  178$. 


je&s,  as  fhall  be  fo  inhuman  as  to 
take  advantage  of  any  fuch  misfor- 
tune, may  be  feverely  punifhed. 

Art.  XXXVIII.  It  mail  be  free 
fpr  the  fubje&s  of  each  party  to  em- 
ploy fuch  advocates,  attornies,  no- 
taries, folicitors,  and  factors,  as  they 
fhall  think  fit  3  to  which  end  the 
faid  advocates  and  others  above 
mentioned,  fhall  be  appointed  by 
the  ordinary  judges,  if  it  be  need- 
ful, and  the  judges  be  thereunto 
required. 

Art.    XXXIX.       And   for    the 
greater  fecurity  and  liberty  of  com- 
merce and  navigation,  it  is  further 
agreed,  that  both  the  king  of  Great 
Britain,     and    the  .Molt   Chriftian 
king,  ihall  not  only  refufe  to  receive 
any  pirates  or  fea-rovers  whatfoevcr 
into  any  of  their  havens,  ports,  ci- 
ties,  or  towns,    or  .permit, any  of 
their  fubjc&s,  citizens,    or  inhabi- 
tants, on  either  part,   to  receive  or 
protect  them  in  their  ports,  to  har- 
bour them  in  their  houfes,  or  to  affift 
them  in    any  manner  whatfoever; 
but  further  they  fhall  cauie  all  fuch 
pirates  and  fea-rovcrs,.  and  all  per- 
sons who  fhall  receive,  conceal,  or 
aflift  them,  to  be  brought  to  condign 
punifhment,  for  a  terror  and  exam- 
ple^ others,     And  all  their  fhips, 
with  the  goods  or  merchandizes  ta- 
ken by  them, -and  brought  into  the 
— *„  ~r  — -L—  kingdom,   fhall  be 
they  can  be  difco- 
be  reftored  to  the 
factors  duly  autho- 
1  by  them  -in  writ- 
ence  being  firft  gi- 
t  of  admiralty,  for 
perty,  even  in  cafe 
Id  have  paffed  into 
ale,  if  it  be  proved 
new,  or  might  have 
:y  had  .been  pirati- 
a  generally  all  fhips 


and  merchandizes,  of  what  nature 
foever,  which  may  be  taken  on  the 
high  feas,  fhall  be  brought  into  fome 
port  of  either  kingdom,  arid  deli- 
vered into  the  cuftody  of  the  officers 
of  that  port,  that  they  may  be  re- 
ftored entire  to  the  true  proprietor, 
as  foon  as  due  and  fufficient  proof 
fhall  have  been  made  concerning  the 
property  thereof. 

Art.  XL.  It  fhall  be  lawful^  as 
well  for  the  fhips  of  war  of  their  ma- 
jefties,  as  for  privateers  belonging; 
to  their  fubjedts,  to  carry  whither- 
foever  they  pleafe  the  fhips  and 
goods  taken  from  their  enemies, 
without  being  obliged  to  pay  any 
fee  to  the  officers  of  the  admiralty, 
or  to  any  judges  whatever  j  nor  fhall 
the  faid  prizes,  when  they  arrive  at 
and  enter  the  ports  of  their  faid  ma-, 
jetties,  be  detained  or  feizod ;  nei- 
ther fhall  the  fearchers,  or  other  of- 
ficers of  thofe  places,  vifit  or  take 
cognizance  of  the  validity  of  fuch 
prizes ;  but  they  fhall  be  at  liberty 
to  hoift  fail  at  any  time,  to  depart, 
and  to  carry  their  prizes  to  the  place 
mentioned  in  the  commifiions  or  pa- 
tents, which  the  commanders  of  fuch 
fhips  of  war  fhall  be  obliged  to. 
fhew :  on  the  contrary,  no  fhelter  or 
refuge  fhall  be  given  in  their  ports 
to  fuch  as  have  made  prize  upon  the 
fubje&s  of  either  of  their  majefties ; 
but  if  forced  by  flrefs  of  weather, 
or  the  dangers  of  the  fea,  to  enter 
therein,  particular  care  fhall  be  ta- 
ken to  haften  their  departure,  and 
to  caufe  them  to  retire  from  thence 
as  foon  as  poffible^as  far  as  it  is  not 
repugnant  to  fbrmeV  treaties  made 
in  this  refpeft  with  other  fovereigns 
-  or  ftates. 

Art.  XLI.  Neither  of  their  faid 
majeflies  fhall  permit  the  fhips  or 
goods  belonging  to  the  fubjc&s  of 
the  other  to  be  taken  within  cannon- 

ihot 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


S  TATE    P  A  P  E  R-S. 


[18 1 


(hot  of  the  coaft,  or  in  the  ports  or 
rivers  of  their  dominions,  by  fhips 
of  war,  or  others  having  commiffion 
frctan  any  prince,  republic,  or  city, 
whatfoever  :  but  in  cafe  it  fhould  to 
happen,  both  parties  fhall  employ 
their  united  force  to  obtain  repa- 
ration of  the  damage  thereby  occa- 
fioned. 

Art.XLII.  But  if  it  fhall  appear 
that  the  captor  made  ufe  of  any  kind 
of  torture  upon  the  mailer  of  the 
fliip,  the  crew,  or  others  who  fhall 
be  on  board  any  fhip  belonging  to 
the  fubjects  of  the  other  party,*  in 
fiich  cafe,  not  only  the  fhip  itfelf,  to- 
gether with  the  perfons,  merchan- 
dizes* and  goods  whatsoever,  fhall 
be  forthwith  releafed,  without  any 
delay,  and  fet  entirely  free,  but  al Co 
fuch  as  fhall  be  convicted  of  fo  enor- 
mous a  crime,  together  with  their 
accomplices,  fhall  fuffer  the  moft 
fcvere  punifhment  luitable  to  their 
pffences :  this  the  king  of  Great 
•  Britain  aiid  the  Mori:  Chriflian  king 
mutually  engage  fhall  be  obferved, 
without  any  refpect  of  perfons  what- 
foever. 

Art".  XLIII.  Their  majeflies  mall 
refpectively  be  at  liberty,  for  the  ad- 
vantage of  their  fubje&s  trading  to 
the  kingdoms  and  dominions  of  either 
of  them,  to  appoint  therein  national 
confuls,  who  lhall  enjoy  the  right, 
immunity,  and  liberty  belonging  to 
them,  by  reafon  of  their  duties, 
and  their  functions :  and  places 
fhall  hereafter  be  agreed  upon  where 
the  laid  confuls  fhall  be  eitablifhed, 
as  well  as  the  nature  and  extent  of 
jheir  functions.  The'  convention 
relative  to  this  point  fhall  be  con- 
cluded immediately  after  the  fig- 
nature  of  the  prefent  treaty,  of  which 
it  fhall  be  deemed  to  conftitute  a 
part. 


Art.  XLIV.  It  is  alfo  agreed,  that 
•  in  whatever  relates  to  the  lading  and 
unlading  of  mips,  the  fafety  of  mer- 
chandize, goods,  and  effects,  the 
fucceflion  to  perfonal  eftates,  as  well 
as  the  protection  of  individuals,  and 
their  perfonal  liberty,  as  alfo  the  ad- 
miniftration  of  juftice,  the  fubject* 
of  the  two  high  contracting  parties 
fhall  enjoy  in  their  refpective  domi- 
nions the  fame  privileges,  liberties, 
and  rights,  as  the  moft  favoured, 
nation. 

Art.  XIV.  If  hereafter  it  fhall 
happen,  through  inadvertency  or 
othcrwife,  that  any  infractions  or 
contraventions  of  the  prefent  treaty 
fhould  be  committed  on  either  fide, 
the  friendfhip  and  good  underftand- 
i'ng  fhall  not  immediately  thereupon 
be  interrupted  ;  but  this  treaty  fhall 
fubfift  in  all  its  force,'  and  proper 
remedies  fhall  be  procured  for  re- 
moving the  inconveniences,  as  like- 
wife  for  the  reparation  of  the  con- 
traventions^ and  if  the  fubjects  of 
either  kingdom  lhall  be  found  guilty 
f thereof,  they  only  fhall  be  punifhed 
and  feverely  chaflifed. 

Art.  XL VI.  His  Britannic  ma- 
jefty  and  his  Moft  Chriftian  majefty 
have  referved  the  right  of  reviling; 
and  re-examining  the  feveral  ftipu- 
lationsof  this  treaty,  after  the  terni 
of  twelve  years,  to  be  computed 
from  the  day  of  palling  laws  .for  its 
execution  in  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land reflectively,  to  propofe  and 
make  fuch  alterations  as  the  time* 
and  circumftances  may-have  render- 
ed proper  or  neceflary  for  the  com- 
mercial interefts  of  their  refpective 
fubjects:  and  this  revifion  is  to  be 
completed  in  the  fpace  of  twelve 
months ;  after  which  term  the  pre- 
fent  treaty  lhall  be  of  no  effect,  but 
in  that  event  the  good  harmony  and 

friendly 


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*82l        ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 


friendly  correspondence  between  the 
two  nations  fhall  not  fuffer  the  leaft 
diminution. 

Art.  XLVII.  The  prefent  treaty 
fhall  be  ratified  and  confirmed  by  his 
Britannic  majefty  and  by  his  Moft 
Christian  majefty,  in  two  months, 
or  fooner,  if  it  can  be  done,  after  the 
exchange  of  Signatures  between  the 
plenipotentiaries. 

In  witnefs  whereof,  we  the  under- 
figned  commiffaries  and  pleni- 
potentiaries of  the  king  of 
Great  Britain  and  the  Moft 
Cbriftian  king,  have  (igned  the 
prefent  treaty  with'  our  hands, 
and  have  fet  thereto  the  feals  of 
our  arms. 

Done  at  Verfailles,  the  36th  of 
September,  1786. 
Wm.  Eden.  (L  S.) 
Gbkaed  de  Rayn^val.  (L.  S.) 

form- of  the  Paffpotts  and  Sea-letters 
Kvbteb  are  to  be  granted  by  the  re- 
fpe&rve  Admiralties  of  the  Dominions 
of  the  two  bigb  contracting  Parties 
to  the  Ships  and  Vejfels  failing  J rom 
thence,  purfuant  to  the  Z+tb  article 
of  the  ptefent  treaty. 

N.  N.  To  all  who  {ball  fee  thefe 
te  it  known 
licence  and 
the  city  (or 
*  commander 
:ng  to  N.  of 

*abouts,  now 
ven  of  N.  to 
N.  the  fhip 
i  before  her 

manner,  by 
ce  appointed' 

the  laid  N. 
fhall  happen 
produce  this 
haven  which 


he  may  enter  with  his  fhip,  tothtf 
officers  of  the  place,  and  fhall  give 
a  true  account  to  them  of  what  fhall 
have  palfed  or  happened  during  his 
voyage  -,  and  he  fhall  carry  the  co- 
lours, arms,  and  enfigns  of  Nv  dur- 
ing his  voyage. 
In  witnefs  whereof,  we  have  fign- 
ed  thefe  prefents,  and  fet  the 
feal  of  our  arms  thereto,  and 
caufed  the  fame  to  be  counter- 
iignedby  N.  at 
day  of 
in  the  year,  &c.&c. 


the   Prince  of  Orange  V  Letter  to  the 

.    States  of  the  Province  of  Holland, 

fent  September  26,   1786,  in  anfwer 

to  tbeir  Notification  of  his  Sufpen- 

'  fan  from  the  Office  of  Captain  Ge- 
neral* 

Noble,  great,  and  mighty  lords, 
and  particularly  good  friends. 

IT  is  with  the  utmoft  concern  we 
have  feeri  by  the  letter  and  re- 
folution  of  your  noble  and  great 
rnightinefies,  dated  the  2 2d  inftant, 
that  you  are  pleafed  to  perfift  pro- 
vifionallv,  and  without  prejudice  to 
the  further  deliberations  of  your  no- 
ble and  great  mightinefles,  in  the 
various  orders  iflued  out  concerning 
the  troops  of  that  ftate,  by  which 
they  have  been  relieved,  till  fur- 
ther orders,  from  that  part  of  the 
oath  which  bound  them  to  our 
obedience  as  captain-general  of 
Holland  and  Weit  Frieiland,  but 
which  orders  your  noble  and  great 
mightinefles  did  not  think  proper  to 
impart  to  us  in  our  aforefaid  quali- 
ty, whilft  you  fufpend  provi  (ion- 
ally  the  effect  of  your  refolution  of 
the  8th  of  March,  1766,  which 
4  inveffci 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


STATE     PAPERS. 


1**3 


Inverted  u9-as  captain-general  of 
your  province  by  efpecial  delega- 
tion, with  power  to  difpofe  of  all 
military  employments,  from  the 
enfign  to  the  colonel  inclufivelv, 
ferving  in  the  militia  or  troops  with- 
in your  jurifdi&ion. 

We  cannot  but  be  fenlibly  hurt 
at  the  aforefaid  refolution,  fince  its 
effect  is  to  deprive  us  of  a  right 
which  has  been  allowed  and  fecured 
to  us  by  the  unanimous  vote  of 
all  the  members  of  the  ftate,  by 
appointing  us  captain-general  he- 
reditary of  Holland  and  Weft  Frief- 
land.  We  might  here  claim  the 
immediate  effect  of  fuch  a  refolu- 
tion, which  as  it  had  been  entered 
into  nem.  con,  cannot,  fuppofing  it 
to  be  revocable,  be  cancelled,  or 
even  fufpended,  without  the  like 
unanimity.  But  what  goes  ftill 
nearer  to  our  heart,  and  on  which 
we  cannot  remain  filent,  is  the  mo- 
tives you  are  pleafed  to  adduce  in 
fupport  of  your  laft  refolution, 
namely,  that  it  has  been  taken  with 
a  view  to  obviate  our  influence  as 
captain-general  over  the  faid  troops, 
and  the  manner  of  directing  them, 
which  is  incompatible  with  the 
fafety  of  your  province,  and  the 
meafures  adopted  to  fecure  it. 

We  might,  without  failing  in 
what  we  owe  to  your  noble  and 
great  mightineffes,  and  in  as  ear- 
ned a  manner  as  befits  a  matter  of 
fuch  high  importance,  that  con- 
cerns our  honour  and  good  name, 
requeft  you  would  be  pleafed  to 
communicate  to  us  the  reafons  of 
the  miftruft  your  noble  and  great 
mightineffes  entertain  of  our  influ- 
ence and  direction  of  the  provincial 
troops,  and  then  you  would  find 
that  we  have  k  fufficientiy  in  our 
power  to  convince  your  noble  and 
great  mightineffes  how  groundlefs 


are  both  your  apprehenfions  and  th£ 
malicious  hints  thrown*  out  by  cer- 
tain perfons,  ill-difpoled  towards 
the  country  and  6urfelves.  But  we 
are  perfectly  eafy  and  fecured  that 
nothing  can  be  alledged  with  trutU, 
againft  us,  by  which  we  fhould  have 
deferved  to  forfeit  the  confidence  of 
your  noble  and  great  mightineffes. 
And  we  can  vouch  before  God,  your- 
felves,  all  the  citizens  of  the  Ne- 
therlands, nay,  and  before  all  the 
world,  that  in  this  regard  our  con- 
fcience  is  perfectly  irreproachable. 
Under  pleafure  of  your  noble  and 
great  mightineffes,  we  cannot  but 
declare,  mice  pur  honour,  dearer  to 
us  than  life,  ftands  impeached,  tljat 
we  cannot  remain  under  fuch  a 
blame  and  ftigma,  refulting  from 
the  tokens  of  diftruft  given  us  bj 
your  noble  and  great  mightineffes, 
and  efpecially  by  your  recent  refo- 
lution ;  and  it  is  a  duty  we  owe  to 
the  race  from  whence  we  fpring,  to 
the  royal  houfe  to  which  we  have 
the  honour  to  be  allied,  to  their 
high  mightineffes,  to  the  refpective 
provinces  to  whofe  iervice  we  arc 
bound  by  the  employments  we  hold 
by  hereditary  right,  and  to  ourfelves, 
in  fine,  to  clear  ourfelves  from  fuch 
an  afperfion  ;  that,  confcious'of  our 
innocence,  from  any  failure  of  our 
plighted  faith  to  your  noble  and 
great  mightineffes,  as  well  as  to  the 
provinces  of  Holland  and  Weft 
Friefland,  by  the  oath  taken  by  us 
as  ftadtholder,  governor,  captain- 
general,  and  hereditary  admiral  of 
your  province,  when  we  undertook 
to  ad  in  thofe  capacities  $  we  art 
juftified  in  fuppofing  that  nothing 
pofitive  hath  been  laid  to  our  charge^ 
and  that  all  the  fteps  taken  againft 
us  are  merely  the  refult  of  fome 
members  of  your  affembly  having 
too  readily  lent  an  ear4o  the  reports 

of 


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*84]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


of  perfons  unworthy  of  their  confi- 
dence, and  whofe  fole  aim  is  to 
abridge  our  lawful  prerogatives,  and 
thofe  of  our  houfe,  granted  by  your 
noble  and  great  mighlinefles,  and 
enjoyed  by  the  ftadtholders  and 
captain-generals  our'predeceiTors,  or 
even  to  bring  about  a  total  altera- 
tion in  the  lawful  and  ettablifhed 
confutation  of  thofe  countries,  en- 
tirely abolifh.  the  ftadtholderfhip,  or 
fb  contrive  it,  that  the  above  dig- 
nity fliould  become  completely  ufe- 
leis  to  our  dear  country,  and  its  good 
citizens.  Mean  while  we  referve  to 
ourfelves  the  choice  of  fuch  further 
meafures  for  our  juftification  as  to  us 
may  feem  be  ft. 

Here  we  might  conclude,  did  we 
not  think  it  neceffary  to  proteft  once 
more,  that  we  never  h,ave  done,  or 
even  attempted  any  thing  that  we 
'juftl/might  Ioqk  upon  ns  derogatory 
to  the  real  concerns  of  the  United 
Provinces  in  general,  or  in  parti- 
cular to  the  (tates  of  Holland. and 
Weft  Friefland  ;  and  that  we  defire 
nothing  better  than  to  be  put  to  the 
teft  of  giving  cffe&ual  proofs  of  tire 
true  love  we  bear  to  the  country, 


September,  1786,  by  the  Count  de 
Goertz,  his  Majejiys  Envoy  Extra* 
ordinaiy. 

WE,  Frederick  William,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  king  of  Pruf- 
fia,  marquis  of  Brandenburgh,  &:c. 
&c.  to  their  high  mightineffes  the 
States  of  the  United  Provinces  of 
the  Low  Countries,  with  offers  of 
friendihip,  and  every  good  thing  in 
our  power. 

High  and  mighty  Lords,  particular 
good  friends,  and  neighbours. 
As  it  has  pleafed"  Providence  to 
call  to  himfelf  our  much  honoured 
and  loved  uncle  Frederic  the  Third, 
late  king  of  Pruflia,  by  which  we 
fucceed  to  the  government  of  the 
eftates  which  he  left,  we  have 
thought  .proper  to  fend  to  yotfy  high 
mightinejfes,,  in  quality  of  envoy 
extraordinary,  our  mini  ft  er  of  ffote 
and  grand-mailer  of  the  wardrobe, 
the  comte  de  Goertz,  to  give  your 
high  might*  nefles  a  proof  of  our  ef- 
teem,  and  that  he  may  by  word  of 
mouth  communicate  to  you  how  de* 
firotts  we  are  to  continue  in  that 
friendihip  and  harmony  with  the  re- 
public of  the  Seven  United  Provin- 
ces, which  has  been  transmitted 
down  to  us  by  our  anceftors  for  cen- 
turies j  and  alfo  to  demonftrate  the, 
warm  part  we  take  in  the  unhappy 
diflentionfr  which  have  lb  long  di- 
vided fomeof  the  provinces,  and  par- 
ticularly thofe  which  have  arifen 
between  fome  of  them  and  the 
itadtholder,  prince  of  Orange  and 
Naifau,  and  the  very  extraordinary 
oppreflions  which  that  prince  is  in- 
nocently obliged  to  luffer.  We  will 
not  detain  your  high  mjghtineftet 
with  any  ample  detail  on  that  fub- 
je6t,as  his  highnefs  the  prince  ftadt- 
holder-has,  in  feveral  different  let- 
ters 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


S  T  AT  E    PAP  E  8.  §.. 


[28* 


lets  to  the  ftates  of  Holland  and 
Weft  Friefland,  explained  in  a  very 
ample  and  convincing  manner  the 
hardnefs  of  taking  from  him  his 
prerogatives  j  but  we  would  rather 
refer  to  the  letter  fent  by  our  pre- 
deceiTor  on  the  1 8th  of  September, 
1785*,,  as  well  to  your  high  migh- 
tinefles  as  to  the  dates  of  Holland 
and  Weft  Friefland,  the  contents  of 
which  well-intentioned  letter  we  fe- 
r ioufly  confirm  and  renew,  repeating 
the  amicable  requeft  contained  in 
it,  that  the  affairs  of  the  prince 
ftadtholder  may  be  directed:  by  fuch 
reciprocally  agreeable  means,  that 
they  may  be  re-eftablifhed  as  loon  as 
po^ible  upon  their  former  footing, 
conformable  to  the  conftitution,  and 
the  convention.  By  the  prefent  we 
requeft  your  high  mightineifes  ear- 
nestly and  amicably  to  employ  your 
powerful  intercellion,  in  the  moft 
ferious  manner,  with  the  ftates  of 
Holland  and  Weft  Friefland,  and 
wherever  elfe  your  highmightinefles 
may  think  proper,  to  put  his  ferene 
highnefs  the  prince  ftadtholder  in  a 
Situation  (by  means  which  are  not 
difficult  to  be  found  out)  to  return 
"with  honour  and  propriety  to  the 
Hague>  to  take  upon  him  his  high 
employments ;  and  that  a  durable 
termination  be  put  to  all  the  other 
differences,  in  a  manner  compatible 
with  equity,  and  the  honour  and 
true  interefts  of  all  parties,  towards 
which  we  are  willing  to  contribute, 
with  other iriends  and  neighbours  Of 
the  republic,  by  our  councils  and 
mediation,  in  a  manner  both  equi- 
table and  impartial.  We  have  given 
inftructions  to  the  comte  de  Goertz 
to  lay  all  J  his  before  your  high  migh- 
tineties,and,  if  qircumftances  require 
it,  before  the  ftates  of  each  parti-. 


cular  province,  in  a  moft  explicit 
manner,  to  affure  on  our  part  all  that 
is  neceflary,  and,  if  it  be  thought, 
proper,  to  enter  into  negociations  on 
the  fubjeft. 

Wedefire  your  high  mightinefte* 
in  confequence  to  place  entire  con* 
fidence  in  the  comte  de  Goertz  in 
this  weighty  affair,  and  to  negociatc 
and  finifh  with  him  whatever  may  be 
thought  agreeable  to  both  parties, 
according  to  circumftances.  We 
hope  and  truft  that  no  fufpicions  can  4 
arife  in  the  minds  of  your  high  mjgh- 
tineffes,  or  thofe  of  the  ftates  of  anj 
of  the  provinces,  on  account  of  out 
interefting  ourfelves  fo  ferioufly  for 
the  prince  ftadtholder.  On  the  one 
hand,  we  are  fuch  near  relations, 
that  the  lot  of  that  prince,  his  con- 
fort,  our  beloved  and  worthy  fifter 
(of  whofe  lentiments  entirely  devo- 
ted to  the  republic,  your  high  migh- 
tineffes  can  have  no  doubt)  and 
their  children  and  pofterity,  cannot 
be  indifferent  to  us.  On  the  other 
hand,  becaufe  we  know  m  the  moft 
certain  manner,  and  can  infure,that 
the  ftadtholder  and  all  his  family  are 
moft  affectionately  -attached  to  the 
republic  of  the  United  Provinces, 
and  that  certainly  they  will  never  do 
any  thing  rigainft  the  intereft  and 
fyftemof  the  ftates,  but/on  thecon- 
trary,  will  always  endeavour"  to  pre- 
fer ve  tli em,  and  contribute  to  their 
well-being  3  to  which  we  muft  add, 
that  being  the  neareft  neighbour  of 
the  United  Provinces,  and  in  confe- 
quence of  the  ties  which  have  never 
been  broken  between  the  two  par- 
ties, we  have  great  intereft  that-  the 
government  of  the  republic,  con- 
formable to  the  ancient  conftitution, 
fhould  not  be  changed  in  any  eilen- 
tial  point,  but  always  preferved  uu- 


*  For  thds  Utter,  fee  State  Papers,  page  [364]  in.  our  laft  volume. 

touched  > 


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*86]      ANNUAL    R  E  G  I  S  T  E  R,  178& 


touched ;  and  that  the  inteftine  di- 
vifions  and  differences,  which  cer- 
tainly were  caufed  merely  by  mif- 
truft,  may  beTettled  as  foon  as  pofli- 
ble,  by  an  equitable,  juft,  and  fincere 
reconciliation,  and  by  a  durable  good 
tinderftanding  between  all  the  par- 
ties concerned. 

We  recommend  this  important 
affair,  together  with  all  that  we  have 
mentioned,  to  your  high  mighti- 
nefles  in  the  mod  fincere  and  ami- 
cable manner  j  and  as  we  hope  not 
to  fail  herein,  we  reciprocally  afTure 
your  high  mightinefles,  that  we  have, 
and  always  ihall  bear,  a  neighbourly 
friendship  and  affection  towards  the 
republic  in  general,  and  each  pro- 
tince  in  particular. 

Of  .your  high   mightineffes    the 
good  friend  and  neighbour, 
(Signed)        Frederic  William. 
(Counterfigned)    Finkenstein, 
V.  Hertsberg. 

Berlin,  Seft.i,  1786. 


To  the    Right    Honourable    the    Lords 
'  Commffioners  of  bis  Majtftjs  Trea- 

The  Memorial  of  the  General  Meeting 
of  Wtfi  India    Planters   and  Mer- 

rtintttt.    delim***/]    %]jg    2&f&    of    De- 


th, 

the  commercial 
ranee,  by  which 
es  of  that  coun- 
ed  here  on  low- 
ed, your  memo- 
:  deeply  injured, 
Britiih  Weftln- 
uced. 

ore  freight  from 
th  than  brandy, 


is  fubjecl:  to  higher  infurance,  fuffeYi 
more  by  leakage  from  its  voyage, 
and  by  evaporation  from  its  climate, 
requires  more  capital,  and  produces 
more  lofs  of  intereft  on  that  capital. 
That  this  is  particularly  true  of  the 
rum  from  Jamaica,  which  furnimea 
the  chief  fupply  for  the  Britiih  mar- 
ket, the  infurance  in  winter  from 
that  ifland  being  eight  per  cent,  a 
charge  only  to  be  avoided  on  the  lat- 
ter fhipments,  by  a  ftill  greater  in- 
convenience from  delaying  them  till 
the  fpring. 

That  the  fmuggling  of  rum  into 
Great  Britain  from  the  Weft  Indies 
fcarcely  exifting,  and  that  of  brandy 
being  very  confiderable,  the  duties 
on  the  former  are  far  more  faithfully 
collected,  and  lefs  nominal  than  the 
latter.  And  that,  with  refpeft  to 
the  frauds  in  the  drawbacks,  the 
higher  the  original  duty,  the  great- 
er, in  cafe  of  fraud,  is  the  public 
lofs. 

That  the  duties  on  French  bran- 
dy ft  and  Jower  by  the  new  treaty, 
than  in  any  before  the  year  1778, 
while  thofe  on  rum  rather  exceed  the 
ftandard  of  that  time.  That  the 
experiment  having  been  made  of 
raifing  the  duties  on  rum  and  brandy 
fince  J 778,  the  increafe  in  the  rum 
duties  has  been  fufpended  as  impo- 
litic, while  that  on '  brandy  ftill  re- 
mains. That,  if  it  has  been  lately 
in  contemplation  to  leflen  the  duties 
on.  brandy,  as  an  ad  of  govern-, 
ment,  independent  of-  any  treaty, 
it  is  prefumed  that  it  was  with  a 
view  to  diminifh  the  temptation  to 
contraband,  and  certainly  not  from 
tendernefsor  predilection  to  a  foreign 
commodity,  which  is  not  ueceflary, 
and  forms  the  material  of  no  parti- 
cular manufacture,  and  in  preference 
to  a  native  commodity. 

That  not  only  the  comparative 

rat* 


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S  T  A  T  fe  "  PAPERS. 


[287 


rate  of  duties  on  rum,  thus  in  fa& 
theater  than  before,  but  the  circum- 
stances occurririg  fince  177&  have 
made  it  lefs  capable  of  bearing  even 
the  fame  burthens.  That  the  im- 
port of  various  iupplies,  for  the 
cultivation  and  fupport  of  the  Bri- 
tiih Weft  Indies,  is  rendered  more 
difficult,  precarious,  and  expenfive, 
than  before  the  war,  from  the  im- 
peded intercourfe  of  the  illands  with 
North  America ;  and  that  a  iimilar 
reftraint  prevails  in  their  export 
trade  to  North  America,  which  al- 
tnaftfolelyafte&s  their  vent  of  rum. 
That  other  recent  burthens  are  to 
be  found  in  the  rife  of  freights  in 
the  trade  with  the  Weft  Indies,  in 
feveral  particulars,  and  in  the  vari- 
ous calamities  which  have  lately  af- 
fii&ed  the  iHand. 

That  the  very  treaty  in  queftion 
of  itfeLf  muft  occalion  a  frefti  detri- 
ment to  the  illands,  fince,  indepen- 
dent of  the  increafed  rivalihip  from 
French  brandy,  rum  will  be  eflen- 
tiallyiuurtby  the  cheapnidfsf  of  French 
wines,  befidcs  the  apprehenfion  to 
be  entertained  of  other  fimilar  trea- 
ties, which  may  be  formed  with 
other  wine  countries.  That,  while 
the  difficulties  attending  rum  have 
thus  lately  augmented,  the  French 
government  has  given  various  new 
facilities  to  the  vent  of  their  brandy 
and  other  fpirits,  ft  ill  more  to 
ftrengthen  the  competition  between 
their  articles  and  ours. 
'*  That  the  imports  of  rum  into 
Great  Britain  in  1770",  and  in  the 
laft  and  prefeut  year,  fliew  that, 
when  ohftru&ions  occur,  in  >  the 
ports  of  North  America,  to  the 
trade  of  the  Britiih  Weft  Indies 
(whether  by  the  act  of  one  country 
or  the  other)  no  alternative  has 
prefented  itfelf,  but  that  offending 
the  lupcrfluous  rum  to  the  Britiih 


market,  for  which,  neverthelefs,  the 
rum  of  the  Windward  and  Leeward 
illands  is  in  general  little  adapted, 
though  proper  for  North  America, 
That  the  quantity  of  rum,  thus  turn- 
ed out  of  its  courfe  into  the  Britiih 
market,  appears  not  to  be  incon- 
fiderable,  even  during  a  fhort  crop, 
and  muft  greatly  overft'ock  the  bri- 
tiih market,  when  crops  are  more 
abundant. 

Tliat  your  memorialifts  find  a  pre* 
ference  given,  by  the  Methuen  trea- 
ty, to  Portuguefe  over  French  wines, 
which  they  lhall  be  doubly  concern- 
ed not  to  fee  both  adopted  and  far- 
ther increafed  in  favour  of  Britiih 
Weft  India  over  French  fpirits, 
fince  they  cannot  fufpect  that  the 
attachment  or  value  of  the  fugar 
colonies  to  this  country  has  been 
proved  to  be  inferior  to*  that  of  Por- 
tugal. X 

That  rum  is  a  produ6tion,Nwhich 
turns  to  account  all  that  would  be 
otherwife  wafted  in  the  manufactur- 
ing; of  fugar,  ilTuing  from  the  fame 
plant,  and  being  relied  upon  by  the 
planter  for  paying  the  principal 
yearly  expences  of  its  cultivation ; 
whatever,  therefore,  impedes  the 
fale  of  rum,  affe&s  fugar  alfo,  of 
which  it  is  the  auxiliary  and  fup- 
port, together  with  the  immenfc 
duties  and  extehlive  navigation,  &c. 
depending  on  fugar; 

That,  in  coniequence  of  the  ihort 
diftance  of  Britain  from  France,  a 
v&ry  few  and  fmall  ihips  can  trans- 
port many  goods  between  them  in 
a  ihort  fpace  of  time,  and  of  thofe 
ihips  and  crews,  a  large  proportion 
muft  be  chiefly  French ;  whereas,  be- 
tween the  Britiih  Weft  India  illands 
and  this  country,  none  can  navigate 
but  Britiih'  ibips  and  Britiih  crews ; 
and  the  length  of  time  fpent  in  the 
voyage  renders  the  encouragement 

•  to 


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288] 


ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786. 


to  Britifh  navigation  proportionally 
more  confiderable. 

That,  for  thefe,  and  various  other 
reafbns,  which  your  nieihorialifts 
might  adduce,  they  truft  they  may 
claim  the  aid  of  bis  majefty's  mini- 
fters  in  procuring  a  proper  reduction 
of  the  duties  on  rum/  as  a  meafure 
clearly  confiftent  with  the  preient 
treaty^  and  truly  indifpenfable  to 
your  memorialifts.  ,    , 

Signed, 
W.  Braithwaite,  Chairman. 


A  Tranfiathn  of  the  Letter  fent  by  the 
Emperor  of  Morocco  to  the  States  of 
North  America,  relative  to  a  Treaty 
lately  entered  into  by  that  Emperor 
•with  the  States, 

In  the  name  of  Gc\l !  Mahomet 
Ben-Abdala! 

x  Moft    illuftrious  £ongrefs    of 
America ! 

WE  have  received  your  letter 
by  the  hands  of  your  ambaf- 
fador,  and  perufed  its  contents  with 
all  due  attention.  .W§  have  remark- 
ed therein  the  inclination  you  ex- 
prefs  of  concluding  with  us  a  treaty 
of  peace.  To  this  we  willingly  have 
aflented,  and  even  ratified  the  plan, 
fuch  as  you  have  propofed,  by  fetting 
thereto  our  imperial  feal»    Where- 
a  that  very  mo- 
command  to  the 
te,  to  protect  and 
er  American  co- 
*t,  to-fhew  them 
the  moft  friendly 
ly  determined  to 
1  opportunity  of- 
in  full  teftimony 
dihipj  and  of  the 
er  on  our  part. 


The  Fifth  Report  of  the  Commiffionert 
appointed  to  examine,  take,  and  ft  ate ± 
the  Public  Accounts  of  the  Kingdom, 
relative  to.  the  Balance  in  the  Hands 
of  the  Paymafter  General  of  the 
forces  in  Office.  Prefented  to  his 
Majefty  upon  the  ljtb  of  Augufl* 
I^8i  ;   and  to  both  Hovfes  *f  Par*- 

.  liament  upon  the  %%th  of  November^ 
1781.     .    , 

UPON  the  certificate  of  account* 
depending  in  the  office  of  the 
auditors  of  the  impreft,  next  to  the 
paymaflers  general  of  the  forces 
out  of  office,'  ftands  the  name  of 
the  right  honourable  Richard  Rig^ 
by,  the  preient  paymafter  gene- 
ral of  the  forces.  In  return  to 
our  precept,  he  'ftated  to  be  in 
his  hands,  upon  the  28th  of  No- 
vember I  a  ft,  a  balance  of  four 
hundred  forty-feven  thoufand  one 
hundred  fifty-three  pounds  eleven 
fhillings  aoid  three -pence  .three  far- 
things,      tl;      . 

The  acVdiiefis,  that  in  taking  art 
account  of  the  public  money  in  the 
hands  of  an  accountant,  "  we  fhatt 
"  confider  what  fum  may  be  taken 
"  out  of  his  hands,  to  be  difpofed 
"  of  by  parliament  fop  the  public 
"  fervice."  But  iu  an  office  of  fo 
large  .a  receipt  and  expenditure 'as 
that  of  the  pay  office,  through  which 
many  millions  pafs  in  the  year,  it 
was  not  to  be  imagined,  that  a  fum 
in  the  hands  of  the  paymafter  gene- 
ral upon  any  given  day,  could  pofj 
fibly  remain  long  enough  in  his 
poffeflion  to  become  a  fubjeci  capa* 
ble  of  fuch  difcuffiort  5  he  muft  have 
iflued  the  whole  of  it,  long  before 
we  could,  in  the  courfe  of  our  pro* 
ceedings,  have  an  opportunity  of  ex-* 
amining  it ;  and  therefore  we  cbn- 
fidered  this  balance,  not  with  a  view 
to  the  taking  any  part  of  that  indi* 

vidua! 


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STAT  E    PAPERS. 


0*9 


vidual  fum  out  of  his  hands,  but  to 
compare  the  quantum  of  that  ba- 
lance with  the  demands  upon  it  on 
the  day  of  its  date,  and  to  fee  whe- 
ther it  was  not  more  than  was  ne- 
ceflary  to  anfwer  the  then  exifting  or 
approaching  claims  upon  the  pay- 
matter  general  of  the  forces,  for  the 
fervices  of  the,  army. 

That  we  might  be  able  to  form  an 
opinion  upon  this  fubjed,  we  pro- 
ceeded to  enquire  of  what  parts  this 
balance  was  compounded,  at  what 
time  each  part  was  received,  and  for 
"What  fervice  intended.  An  inquiry 
that  comprehends  the  whole  extent 
of  the  bufinefs  in  this  office. 

The  public  money  in  the  hands  of 
the  paymafler  general  is  received  by 
him,  either  from  the  exchequer,  or 
from  the  treafury  of  Ireland,  when 
Irifh  regiments  are  drawn  out  of 
that  kingdom,  and  in  part  paid  by 
Great  Britain  5  or  from  perfons 
who,  upon  their  accounts  being  fet-  ' 
tied,  are  directed  by  the  king's  war- 
rant to  pay  the  balance  into  his 
hands. 

The  prefent  paymafter  general 
-  has  no  money  in  his  hands  received 
from  the  treafury  of  Ireland  5  all 
the  accounts  of  the  Iriih  regiments 
being  made  up,  and  their  whole  pay 
bow  borne  by  Great  Britain.  The 
fum  in  his  hands,  arifing  from  ba- 
lances directed  to  be  paid  to  him, 
was,  upon  the  ill  of  February  laft, 
eight  thoufand  four  hundred  fixty- 
three  pounds  ten  fliillings  and  four- 
pence.  The  exchequer  is  the  great 
fource  from  whence  he  draws  his 
fupply. 

As  the  extenfive  tranfactions  of 
the  laft  year  would  probably  furnifh 
us  with  in  fiances  of  every  fpecies  of 
receipt  and  iiVue,  we  procured  from 
the  treafury  an  account  of  the  feve- 
ral  funis  itTued  to  the  paymafler  ge- 

Vol.  XXVIII. 


neral  of  the  forces,  from  the  24th  of 
December  1779  to  the  25th  of  De- 
cember 1 7  80,  %  and  from  thence;  to 
the  idthof  May  1781,  diftinguiihing 
the  times  when  iuued,  and  for  what 
particular  fervices. 

From  the  examinations  of  Mr* 
John  Hughfori,  clerk  of  the  deben- 
tures in  the  office  of  the  auditor  of 
ihe  exchequer ;  Richard  Molefworth, 
efq,  late  deputy  paymafter  in' North 
America  3  the  right  honourable 
Richard  Rigby,  the  prefent  pay- 
mafter general;  John  Powell,  efq. 
cafhierj  and  Charles  Berabridge, 
efq,  accountant  in  the  office  of  the 
paymafter  general  5  we  obtained  the 
following  account  of  the  manner  of 
tranfacting  the  bufinefs  in  this  of- 
fice, and  of  "the  balance  in  quef- 
tion.      * 

The  fupply  for  the  army  is  granted 
by  parliament  to  the  king,and  there- 
fore no  part  of  this  fupply  can  be 
iflued  from  the  exchequer,  without 
the  royal  fign  manual  authorizing 
fuch  iflue.  After  the  fupply  is 
granted,  there  comes  from  the  trea-  - 
fury  to  the 'pay-office  the  king's  (ign 
manual,  directing  the  lords  of  the 
treafury  to  iftue  unto  the  paymafter 
general  a  certain  part  of  that  fupply 
(in  time  of  war  ufually  a  million)  by 
way  of  impreft,  and  upon  account, 
according'  to  inch  warrants  and  or- 
ders as  either  are,  or  ftiall  be  figned 
by  the  king.  This  fign  manual, 
with  the  treafury  warrant,  and  or- 
der of  the  auditor  of  the  exchequer 
made  in  purfuance  of  the  fign  ma- 
nual, after  being  entered  in  the 
pay-office,  are  lodged  at  the  exche- 
quer, and  give  the  paymafter  gene- 
ral a  credit  there-  for  the  fum  men- 
tioned iri  thofe  inftruments.  To 
obtain  any  part  of  this  credit,  the 
paymafter  general  prefents  a  memo- 
rial to  the  treafury,  ipecifying  the 

[  T]  fum 


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a9o]       ANN  UAL   REGIS  T£-R,  1786. 


«fuiu  he  requires,  and  for  what  fer- 
vice.  The  treafury,,  by  letter,  duvet 
the  auditor  of  the  exchequer  to  iifue 
that  fnm  to  the  p.iymarter  general, 
upon  the  unfatisticd  order  above- 
mentioned.  Tliis  letter  being  pro- 
duced, And  pa  fling  through  the  forms 
of  office,  he  obtains  from  them  the 
fum  he  wants.  When  the  fum  in 
this  fign  manual  is  exhaufted,  ano- 
ther fign  manual,  with  the  confe- 
quential  warrant  and  order,  is  ob- 
tained, and  in  like  manner  from 
time  to  time  renewed,  until  there 
is  occafion  for  the  Lilt  fum,  which 
completes  the  whole  army  fupply  of 
the  year  ;  when,  inliead  of  a  fign 
manual,  there  comes  a  privy  feal, 
directing  the  irtue  of  that  remaining 
futn,  and  including,  authorizing, 
confirming,  and  covering,  the  whole 
fupply  of  that  year. 

It  was  ufual  formerly  for  the'pay- 
mafter  general  to  apply  to  the  trea- 
fury every  four  months,  each  time 
for  about  a  third  part  of  the  fum 
voted  for  the  ferviccs  of  the  army, 
under  the  general  head  of  fuhlilt- 
ence  and  pay  of  the  forces  at  home 
and  abroad ;  but  iince  the  year 
1759,  the  practice  has  been  to  aik 
of  the  treafury,  from  time  to  time , 
for  the  furns  voted  under  dillinct 
heads  of  ferv ice,  and  not  until  the 
time  when  the  demands  for  the  fer- 
vices  are  near  approaching. 

The  fervices  are  ranged  under 
two  general  heads,  the  ordinary, 
and  die  extraordinary  5  the  ordi- 
nary, are  thoie  for  which  fpecific 
Aims  are  annually  voted  by  parlia- 
ment ;  the  extraordinary,  are  thofe, 
which,  though  not  provided  for  by 
parliament,  are  neverthelefs  confi7 
dered  as  neceiiary,  and  therefore 
paid,  in  confidence  of  their  being 
provided  for  in  the  fucceeding  lei- 
doh. 


.  As  the  fervice  is  diftinguiihed,  fo 
is  the  application  for  it  to  the  trea- 
fury. Sums  for  the  ordinary  fer- 
vices are  obtained  upon  the  appli- 
cation of  the  paymafter  general 
himfelfj  thofe  for  the  extraordinary, 
are  directed  into  bis  hands,  upon  the 
application  of  others. 

After  the  fupply  for  the  pay  of 
the  army  is  voted   by   parliament, 
the  fecretary  at  war  fends  to  the  pay-. 
office  the  four  eftabliiTiments  for  the 
year;  which  are,  the  guards  gar- 
rifons,  and  land  forces  ;   the  forces 
in  the  plantations,  and  the  garrifons 
jn  North  America  and  the  Weft  In- 
dies ;    the    forces  in  Minorca  and 
garrifon  of  Gibraltar  $  and,  the  mi- 
litia j  with  the  feveral  regulations 
of  the   fubfltence.     The  eitablifli- 
ment  contains,  the  diftribution  of  the 
whole  fum  voted,  amongfl  the  feve- 
ral regiments,  corps,  garrifons,  of- 
ficers, and  private  men,  by  the  day, 
and  by  the  year,  and  the  grof*  fum 
allowed   for  each  regiment,  corps, 
and  garrifon.     To  each   eftablifh- 
ment  are  annexed  two  warrants,  the 
one  directing  the  paymalter  general 
to  make  a  deduction  of  twelve  pence 
in  the  pound  out  of  all  he  ihaU  iiftic, 
called  the  poundage,  and  fpeci fy ing 
to  what  ferviccs  it  ihall  be  applied; 
the  other,  directing  a  deduction  of 
one  day's  pay,  out  of  the  payments 
in  the  eftablifliment,  for  die  ufeof 
Chelfeaholpital. 

In  general,  the  grofs  fum  allowed 
for  a  regiment,  of  corps,  is  divided, 
in  the  eltablifhment,  into  five  parts, 
under  the  defcription  of,  the  full 
pay  of  each  officer  and  private  man; 
the  allowance  to  widows  \  the  al- 
lowance to  the  colonel,  and  tor 
cloathing  loft  by  defertefs  ;  the  al- 
lowance to  the  captain  for  recruit- 
ing, 8cc. ;  and,  the  allowance  to  the 
agent.    But  in 'the  pay-office  thu 

grof* 


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S  TAT  E     PA  P  E  R  S. 


[a9t 


grofs  fum  undergoes  a  different  di- 
vifion,  confirming  of,  the  fubfiftence, 
the  poundage,  the  hofpital,  the  al- 
lowance to  widows,  the  nett  off- 
reckonings, the  clearings,  and  fome- 
times  refpits. 

It  is  in  confequence  of  thefe  de- 
ductions from,  and  divifions  of,  the 
grofs  funis  allotted  to  different  corps, 
and  of  diftinft  fums  being  provided 
by  parliament  for  certain  fervices, 
that  the  application  by  the  paymas- 
ter general  to  the  treafury,  for  mo- 
ney, is  made  under  diftinct  heads  of 
fervice.  Thefe  fervices  may,  for 
the  purpofe  ot  our  enquiry,  be  dif- 
tinguifhed  under  three  heads : 

Firft.  Thofe  fervices  for  which 
trie  whole  fum  received  by  the  pay- 
m  a  iter  general,  at  the  exchequer,  is 
HTued  by  him  foon  after  he  receives 
it. 

Secondly.  Thofe,  for  which  the 
fum  he  receives,  belonging  to  par- 
ticular perfons,  remains  in  his  pof- 
feflion,  upon  account  of  the  perfons 
entitled,  until  they,  or  their  agents, 
*pply  td  him  for  payment. 

Tnirdly.  Thofe,  for  which  a  part 
only  of  the  fum  he  receives  is  iflued 
by  him  foon  after  he  receives  it,  and 
the  remainder  continues  in  his  hands 
for  any  indefinite  time. 
»  Of  the  firft  clafs,  where  he  foon 
iflues  all  he  receives,  are,  the  re- 
turned poundage ;  Chelfea  hofpital, 
and  the  out-penfioners  ;  the  fublift- 
ence of  the  forces  in  Jamaica  and 
the  Eaft  Indies,  and  of  the  non-com- 
miffioned  officers  and  private  men  in 
Africa  5  the  fubfiftence  and  cloath- 
ing  of  the  militia  and  invalids  ;  the 
fubliftence  iflued  upon  account;  the 
ftoppages  of  the  officers ;  fubliftence 
in  the  Weft-IndieS,  North  America, 
and  garrifons  of  Gibraltar  and  Mi- 
norca -,  the  general  and  ftaff  officers 


and  ^garrifons  in  Great  Britain  5  the 
nett  off-reckonings  ;  the  allowances 
to  the  colonel,  captain,  and  agent ; 
the.  clearings  ;  foreign  fublidies  ? 
arrears  of  the  foreign  troops ;  levy 
money;  and  all  the  extraordina- 
ries.  Under  the  heads  of  fubliftence 
of  the  forces  at  home,  fo  much  of 
the  fum  received,  as  the  fubliftence 
actually  amounts  to,  is  iffucd  to' 
the  agents  as  foon  as  he  receives 
it. 

Of  the  fecond  clafs,  are,  the  re- 
duced officers,  and,  under  the  fe- 
veral  heads  of  the  garrifons  abroad, 
the  general  and  ftaff  officers,  and\ 
hofpital  abroad :  fo  much  of  the 
fums  voted  for  thefe  fervices,  as  is 
contained  in  each  warrant  for  the 
pay  of  the  officers  named  in  the  cer- 
tificate, remains  in  his  hands  until 
thofe  officers  or  their  agents  apply 
for  it.  '  . 

Of  the  third  clafs,  where  he  if- 
fues  a  part  only  of  the '  fums  he  re- 
ceives, are/  the  fubfiftence  of  the 
forces  at  home ;  the  fubfiftence  of 
the  .non-commiflioned  officers  and 
private  men  of  the  Britifh  forces  inv 
the  Weft  Indies  and  North  America, 
and  of  the  foreign  troops ;  the  gar- 
rifons abroad  ;  and,  the  general  and 
ftaff  officers  and  hofpital  abroad, 
Befides  thefe,  there  are  fom'e  other 
heads  of  fervice,  to  fatisfy  which, 
he  does  not  exprefsly  apply  to  the 
treafury  for  money,  but  pays  the 
demands  for  them  out  of  what  he 
has  received  under  other  heads  of 
fervice  :  thefe  are>  the  allowance  to 
widows ;  fome  fervices  ,to  which 
the  poundage  is  made  fubject  by 
the  king's  warrant  5  and,  contin- 
gencies. 

Having  thus  procured  the  know- 
ledge of  the  fervices,  and  of  the 
mode  of  receiving  from  the  exche'- 
[/]  2  quer, 


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S9*]       ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


quer,  and  of  iflbing  money  for  each 
fervice  5  it  remained,  in  order  to 
find  out  the  component  parts  of  this 
balance,  to  compare  the  fums  re- 
ceived for  thefe  fervices,  with  the 
fums  iffued,  and  fee  what  remained 
in  the  hands  of  the  paymafter  gene- 
ral under  each  head  :  but  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  accounts  in  this 
office  are  now,  and  have  been  kept 
Jfrom  time  immemorial,  rendered 
fuch  an  inveftigation  hardly  prac- 
ticable. 

.  When  the  paymafter  general  pafTes 
an  account  before  the  auditor  of  the 
impreft,  he  charges  himfelf  therein 
with  the  money  he  has  received  out 
of  the  exchequer,  during  the  period 
of  that  account,  in  one  grofs  fum ; 
be  verifies  the  charge  by  the  impreft 
roll,  which   fpecihes   the  fums  he 
has  received  in  each  memorial,  and 
the   terms   in   which   he   received 
them,  but  not  for  what  fervices  5  all 
that  is  required  of  him  is,  to  render 
an  account  for  what  fervices  he  has 
expended  the  fum  imprefled  to  him : 
to  do   this  confidently  with  order 
and  method,  his  payments  muft  be 
arranged   under    diftind  heads  of 
is   no  neceflity 
e  arrangements 
ould  only  occa- 
variety  of  arti- 
inftead  of  one, 
full  as  wefl  all 
ng  his  accounts. 
,  is  formed  the 
books  are  kept  5 
s  payments  are 
diftinct  heads  of 
nly  one  calh  ac- 
ne .memorial  to 
ten  aiks  for  fe- 
various   diftincl: 
:t  he  enters  the 
took,  as  one  en- 


tire fum  received  that  day  at  the  ex- 
chequer, and  carries  it  as  one  fum  to 
the  king  s  account  current  in  his 
ledger:  to  have  found  out,  there- 
fore, the  favings  in  his  hands,  un- 
der any  one  head  of  fervice,  he  muft 
have  examined  every  memorial  pre- 
fented  by  him  to  the  treafory  for  the  . 
thirteen  years  he  has  been  in  office, 
and  have  extracted  from  thence,  and 
collected  together,  all  the  fums  he 
has  received  for  that  fervice,  in  or- 
der to  compare  them  with  the  iflues. 
And  here  too  arofe  another  diffi- 
culty :  —In  this  office,  a  payment  for 
any  fervice  made  in  a  fubfequent 
year,  is  entered  in  the  account  of 
,that  vear  in  which  the  fum  was  vo- 
ted for  that  fervice,  unlefs  fuch  ac- 
count is  made  up,  and  then  it  is  en- 
tered in  the  next  open  year's  ac- 
count 3  hence  thefe  accounts  are 
ufually  kept  open,  until  they  are 
ready  to  be  palled  by  the  auditors 
of  the  impreft  3  which  time  not  be- 
ing yet  come  for  the  accounts  of  the 
paymafter  general  in  office,  not  one 
of  his  ledgers  are  yet  made  up  5  he 
could  not  therefore  have,  given  lis 
the  iifues  for  any  one  fervice,  with- 
out making  up  the  account  of  that 
fervice,  in  every  year's  ledger,  fince 
he  has  been  in  office. 

Thinking  ourfelves  by  no  means 
warranted  to  take  up  the  time,  and 
perhaps  impede  the  current  bufinefe  ' 
of  this  office,  at  fo  bufy  and  impor- 
tant a  period,  by  employing  them  in 
fo  laborious,  and,  unlefs  for  this 
particular  purpofe,  fo  ufelefs  a  talk, 
we  had  recourfe  to  fuch  other  cir- 
cumftances  in  evidence  before  us,  as 
might  lead  us  to  a  decifion  upon  the 
point  we  are  purfuing. 

From  the  arrangement  we  have 
made  of  the  fums  received  by  the 
paymafter  general  from  the  exche- 
quer, 


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S  TAT  E    PAP  E  R  S. 


lm 


queri  it  appears,  that  the  balance  in 
his  hands  cannot  confift  of  any  Aims 
comprehended  in  the  firft  clafs,  be- 
caute  of  them  he  very  foon  iflTues  all 
he  receives :  nor  is  it  probable  that 
fums  in  the  fecond  clafs  can  confti- 
tute  any  very  confiderable  part  of 
it  5  becaufe  it  is  not  to  beprefumed, 
that  officers  of  any  denomination 
will  fuffer  their  pay  to  continue  long 
without  applying  for  it,  either  by 
themfelves  or  their  agents. 

A  continual  receipt  and  iffue,  im- 
plies a  balance  continually  in  hand ; 
there  muft  be  the  like  continual 
balance  where  there  are  intervals 
between  the  receipt  and  iffue,  and  a 
frefh  fupply  always  comes  in  before., 
.the  iffu«,  as  in  the  cafe  of  every 
bank :  but  our  enquiry  is  after  a ' 
fum  more  permanent;  a  fum  that 
remains  long  unapplied  to  any  fer- 
vice,  and  which,  if  otherwife  dif- 
pofed  of,  would  occafion  no  inter- 
ruption in  the  regular  courfe  of 
paying  the  army  fervices  j  for  fuch 
a  balance,  in  the  hands  of  the  pay- 
mafter  general,  we  muft  look  amongft 
the  fun^s  for  the  fervices  named  in 
the  third  clafs,  where  he  ilfues  lefs 
than  he  receives. 

Under  the  denomination  qf  fub- 
fiftence  for  the  forces  at  home,  he 
receives  more  than  that  fubfiftence 
amounts  to,  with  an  intent  of  pro-  - 
curing  thereby  a  fund  for  certain 
payments  not  fpecifically  applied  for 
by  him,  and  therefore  otherwife  un- 
provided for:  he  receives  fubfift- 
ence upon  the  full  eftablifhmeht  of 
the  non-commiflioned  officers  and 
private  men  pf  the  Britifh  forces  in 
North  America  ands  part  of  the 
Weft  Indies>  and  of  the  foreign 
troops  5  but  as  thefe  regiments  muft 
be  incomplete,  and  the  deputy  pay- 
mafters  there  iflue  fubfiftence  ac- 
cording to  the  ftrength  only  of  the 


regiment,  he  does  not  remit  to  then* 
the  whole  he  receives,  but  fo  much 
only  as,  from  the  laft  accounts  they 
fend  him  of  the  ftate  of  the  balances 
in  their  hands,  he  judges  will  be 
fufficient  to  enable  them  to  carry  on 
'  the  public  fervice*.  This  uniifued 
fubfiftence  of»  the  Britifh  forces  in 
the  We'd  Indies  and  North  America 
'  continues  in  his  hands  till  the  ac- 
counts of  the  feveral  regiments  are 
made  up,  when  it  falls  into  the 
clearings,  and  is  iflued  to  the  agents*; 
but  this  is  not  till  fifteen  or  fix  teen 
months  after  they  become  due.  The 
uniffued  fubfiftence  of  the  foreign 
troops  remains  with'  him  till  their 
arrears  are  paid  to  the  agents  5  which 
time  feems,  from  the  account  of  the' 
ilfues  received  from  the  treafury> 
generally  to  be  about  two  years  after 
they  are  due. 

He  receives  the  whole  fums  voted 
for  garriibns,  ftaff,  and  hofpital 
abroad  j  but  the  officers  in  thefe  de- 
partments, named  in  the  certificates 
from  the  war-office,  do  not  exhauii 
the  whole  fum  voted. 

Hence  arifes  a  fund  compofed  of 
thefe  favings,  out  of  which  he  iffues 
for  certain  fervices,  and  defrays  cer-?  ' 
tain  expences,  without  making  any 
fpecific  application  for  them  to  the"; 
treafury ;  thefe  are,  the  allowance 
to  widows  $  fome  of  the  payments 
to  Which  the  poundage  is  made  ap^ 
plicable  by  the  king's  warrants ; 
and,  die  mifcellaneous  head  of  con- 
tingencies. 

To  demands  for  thefe  fervices, 
and  to  no  other  that  we  can  difcover* 
(except  fuch  claims  for  the  pay  of 
the  general  and  ftaff  officers,  and 
officers  of  the  garrifonsandhofpitals 
abroad,  and  of  the  reduced  officers, 
as  remained  unfatisfied)  was  this 
balance  liable  on  the  day  of  its  dat*. 
JWhat  then  was  the  amount  of  the,  s 

[7]  3  demand* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


5943      ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


jdemands  at  that  time?  Nothing 
-had  been  iffued  for  the  allowance  to 
widows  ,  in  the  year  1780  3  for 
enough  remained  of  former  receipts, 
in  the  hands  of  {he  paymaflerof  the 


tides  of  exchequer  fees,  returned 
poundage,  and  Chelfea  hofpital, 
though  placed  to  this  account,  are 
not  demands  upon  this  balance. 
The  exchequer  fees  for  every  fum, 


widows  pennons,  to  carry  on  that  -are  always  paid  at  the  exchequer 
fervice ;  and  therefore  this  balance  out  of  the  fum  at  the  time  it  is  re- 
was  not  liable  to  be  reduced  by  any  ceivedj  the  paymafter  general  de- 
ifiue  under  the  head  of  allowance  to  bits  his  cafh  with  the  whole  fum  he 
widows.  We  could  not  have  the  applies  for,  and  credits  it  for  the 
accounts  of  the   payments  out  of  Vees ;  and  therefore  the  only  alte* 


poundage  and  hofpital,  and  for  the 
contingencies  in  the  year  1780,  be- 
caufe  fome  of  the  warrants  had  not 
been  produced  for  payment,  arid 
therefore  the  accounts  could  not  be 
made  up ;  but  finding,  that  wliere 
the  eftablifhments  are  nearly  the 
fame,  there  is  no  confiderable  dif- 
ference between  the  payments  made, 
upon  thefe  two  heads,  in  one  year 
and  another 5  we  applied  to  the 
pay^oftice  for  an  account  of  the 
payments  made  by  the  paymafter 
general,  out  of  the  -dcdu6tions  of 
twelve  pence  in  the  pound,  and  one 
day's  pay ;  and  for  an-  account  of 


ration  made  in  his  caih,  is  an  in- 
creafe  by  the  fum  he  aiks,  deduct- 
ing the  exchequer  fees.  The  other 
two  fervices  being  applied  for  un- 
der their  fpecific  heads,  he  receives 
a  fum 'with  one  hand,  and  ifluesrj 
with  the  other  j  and  therefore  thefe 
three  articles,  amounting  to  ninety- 
feven  thoufand  nine  hundred  and 
twelve  pounds  feven  fliillings  and 
fix  pence,  being  deducted  from  the 
total,  leaves  the  fum  of  fix  teen 
thoufand  three  hundred  fifty- three 
pounds  two  millings  and  eight 
pence  only,  as  a  charge  upon  this 
balance  ;   .  which    fum,     confining 


.   .  .  'i 

the  payments  made  by  him  for  the    chiefly  of  falaries,  for  the  moft  part 
contingent  expencesof  his  majefty's    paid  quarterly,  foon  after  they  be- 
come* due,  leaves  claims  to"  a  very 
fmall  amount  indeed  to  be  fatisfied 
out  of  this  balance. 

The  contingent  expences  con- 
fin:  of  a  variety  of  articles,  amount- 
ing to  twenty-four  thourand  nine 
hundred  and  fourteen  pounds  nine- 
teen millings  and  eight  pence  -,  this 
account  never  either  much  exceeds, 
or  comes  much  under,  twenty-four 
thoufand  pounds,  the  fum  voted  for 
the  contingencies  upon  the  efta- 
blithment  at  home  and  abroad}  for 
fo  much  of  thefe  payments. as  ex- 
ceed the  fum  voted,  are  carried  to 
the  account  of  extraordinaries.  Thefe 
articles  being  paid  fome  quarterly, 
fome  half-yearly,  and  fome  yearly, 
no  very  confiderable  part  of  then* 

*  can 


forces,  for  the  laft  year  in  which 

thefe  accounts  were  made  up  at  the 

orlice.      The  accounts  tranfmitted 

quifitioii, 

as  they, 

ich  froin 

.hey  will 

accuracy, 

for  thefe 

1  the  ba- 

payments 

me  day's 

officers, 

oundage, 

ie   whole 

3ne  year, 

thoufand 

unds-  ten 

The  ar- 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


.StAtE     tf^PT&'ffs; 


$95- 


«ari  preba'bly  remain  unpaid  at  the 
end  of  the  eleventh  month  of  that 
year,    and   cannot    therefore   be   a 
charge   upon'  this  balance  on   the 
18 th    of  "November  .  1789  :    from 
hence  it    follows,    that,  fnppoling 
the  amount  of  the  claims  for  thefe 
fervices  in  178b  not  to  exceed' their 
amount  in  1778,  the  claims  for  thele 
fervices  upon  this  balance,  upon  the 
28th   of  November   1780,  was   fo 
much  only  x>f  the  fums  of  fixteen 
thoufand  three  hundred  fifty-three 
pounds     two  "  fhillings    and    eight 
pence,    and    twenty-four  thoufand 
nine  hundred  fourteen  pounds  nine- 
teen   (hillings    and    eight    pence; 
making  together  forty-one  thoufand 
two  hundred  nxty-eight  pounds  two 
ihillings    and   four   pence;   as  had 
not  been  applied  for,  and  fatisfied, 
during  the  firft  eleven  months  of 
that  year  j  and  therefore,  we  think 
ourfelves  well  grounded  in  an  opi- 
nion, that  the  fiim  of  four  hundred 
forty-feven    thoufand   one  hundred 
fifty-three  pounds   eleven  ihillings 
aiad  three  pence  three  farthings,  in 
the  hands  of  the  paymafter  general 
of  the  forces,  upon  the  28th  of,  No- 
vember laft,  was  greatly  more  than 
was  neceflary  to  anfwer  the  claims 
upon  him  at  that  time  for  the  fer- 
vice  of  the  army. 

But  our  inquiry  did  not  reft  here  5 
it  concerns  the  public  to  know  what 
proportion  the  ium,  continually  in 
the  hands  of  an  officer  to  whom  fo 
mnch  is  entrufted,  bears  to  tile  fer- 
vices of  his  department ;  we  re- 
quired, therefore,  from  the  pay* 
office,  an  account  of  the  balance  in 
the  hands  of  the  prelent  paymafter 
general  of  the  forces,  on  the  31ft  of 
December  1768,  and  at  the  end  of 
each  fucceeding  year,  to  the  3  ift  of 
December  n8o,  inclufive;  and  an 
fcceuotof  the  total  fuma  receivc4 


and  paid  by  the  paymafter  genera)  * 
for  every  month,, from  the  ift  o#v 
January  1780  to  the  31ft  of  Ma/ 
laft,  with  the  total  of  the  balance* 
remaining  in  his  hands  at  the^end* 
of  each  month.     Thefe   account* 
fhewj  that  the  average  yearly  ba-  • 
lance  in  the  hands  of  the  pre  tent* 
paymafter  general,  for  twelve  y^arsy 
has  been  five  hundred  eighty-five 
thoufand  eight  hundred  ninety-eight 
pounds ;   and  his  average  month- . 
ly  balance;  for  feventeen  months,,, 
has  been  eight  hundred'  fixty-nine 
thoufand  one  hundred  forty-eight, 
pounds. 

The  magnitude  of  thefe  fums  fur- ; 
nifhes  a  ftrong  prefumption,  that 
the  paymafter  general  of  the  forces 
polfenes,  conftantly,  a  fum  much 
larger  than  is  requifite  for  the  car- 
rying on  the   army    fervices;  and^ 
we  are  confirmed  in  this  opinion* 
by  the  ftate  of  the  balances  in  trie 
poifeflion  of  the  paymafters  general 
of  the  forces  after  their  refignatiotv 
annexed  to  our  laft  report;  by  which 
it  appears,  that  of  four  paymafters 
general,  each,  upon  hie  quitting  the* 
office,  took  with  him  the  fum  then- 
in  his  hands ;  the  balances  tbey  re- 
turned to  our  precepts,  above  twelve  • 
years  after  their  refignations,  were 
even  then  very  large.     Lord  Hol- 
land's balance,  the  Chriftmas  after 
he  quitted  the  office  in  1765,  was* 
four'  hundred  and   fixty  thoufand 
pounds;   in  the  year  1778,  at  the 
time  his  reprefentatives  paid  back:k 
into  the   exchequer   two  'hundred 
thoufand  pounds,  it  was  four  hun- 
dred and   fifty  thoufand   pounds  ;• 
and,  upon   the  27th  of  September 
laft,  the  fum  returned  to  our  requ:*> 
fit  ion  was  two  hundred  and  fif ly- 
nx thoufand  pounds;  fo  that,  dm> 
ing  a  period  of  fifteen  years  after 
he  was  out  of  office,  it  fuffered  very) 
[T}    4  iitUt 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


396]      ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


little  diminution  from  any  claims 
whatever. 

From*  thefe  fa&s  we.  may  infer, 
that  a  paymafter  general,  at  the 
time-  of  his  refignatlon,  be  it  when 
it  will,  takes  with  him  a  fum  of 
public  money,  a  great  part  of  which 
remains  with  him,  unapplied  to  any 
public  fervice,  until  his  accounts 
are  paifed  by  the  auditors  of  the 
impreftj  and  confequently,  that  he 
has  conftantly  in  his  hands  greatly 
more  than  he  wants  for  the  pur- 
pofes  for  which  it  was  iflued  to 
turn. 

During  the  courfe  of  our  inquiry, 
certain  circumftances  in  this  office 
attracted  our  attention,  as  fubje&s 
demanding  prefent  corre&ion,  and 
prevention  for  the  future. 

The  ufual  courfe  of  the  receipts 
and  iflues  in  this  office,  Yor  feveral 
years,  has  conftantly  put  into  the 
hands  of  the  paymafter  general  a 
large  fum  of  public  money  not  em- 
ployed in  the  public  fervice,  ex- 
prefsly  contrary  to  that  found  max- 
im of  prudence  and  oeconomy,  That 
more  fhould  not  be  iffued  from  the 
exchequer    for   any    fervice,    than 
that  fervice  wants.    He  afks  fums 
pecific  heads 
e  form  of  a 
jafury  direct 
is  he  afks  it, 
ther  the  fer- 
e  requiiition, 
tibn  be  juft, 
ot  already  in 
as  he  wants : 
on  him  in  the 
attention  of 
bat  the  iflue 
:dit,  and  that 
ceed  the  fup- 
ces,  voted  by 
Supposing 
office  to  con- 


tinue in  its  prefent  form,  we  think 
the  interpofition  of  fome  check  ne- 
ceffary,  to  reduce  and  confine  this, 
balance  within  its  due  bounds.  The 
paymafter  general  can  receive  no- 
thing from  the  exchequer,  but  by 
direction  of  the  .treafury  y  the 
treafury,  therefore,  fhould  have  the 
means  of  judging  upon  the  pror 
priety  and  neceffity  of  the  requiii- 
tion j  to  which  a  frequent  know-; 
ledge  of  his  balance  is  effential  3 
and  therefore  we  are  of  opinion, 
that  in  the  firft  memorial  prefented 
every  month,  by  the  paymafter  ge-r 
neral  of  the  forces  to  the  lords  of 
the  treafury,  for  a  fupply  for  the 
army  fervices,  he  fhould  always  in- 
fert  the  fum  total  of  the  balance  of 
public  money,  for  the  fervice  of  the 
army,  at  that  time  in  his  hands, 
cjiftody,  or  power.  What  thofe  due 
bounds  are,  within  which  this,  ba- 
lance ought  to  be  circumfcribed, 
depends  upon  a  variety  of  circum? 
ftances,  of  which  the%*treafury  may, 
upon  examination,  obtain  know- 
ledge fufficient  to  direcl:  their  judg- 
ment. 

But  this  ufage  of  office  operates 
ftill  further;  it  is  not  confined  to 
the  paymafter  general  in  being 
only,  but  he  has  been  permitted, 
after  his  resignation,  and  his  repre- 
fentatives,  in  cafe  of  his  death,  to 
retain  the  money  of  the  public,  un- 
til the  final  adjuftment  of  his  ac- 
counts by  the  auditors  of  the  im- 
preft.  The  average  of  lord  Hol- 
land's balance,  from  his  refjgna.tion 
in  the  year  1765,  to  the  year  1778, 
wheri  the  two  hundred  thoufand 
pounds  were  paid,  into  the  exche- 
quer* by  his  reprefentatives,  was 
four  hundred  fifty-five  thoufand 
feven  hundred  thirty-five  pounds. 
The  average  of  the  balance  of  the 
prefent  paymafter  general,  from  the 

'  year 


• 


5  TA.T  E-PAP  E  R  S. 


[29? 


yesfr  ij68,  when  he  came  into  of* 
fice,  tp  the  fame  year  172&,  was  four 
hundred  fifty-three  thbufand  one 
hundred  and  eighty  pounds ;  mak- 
ing together  nine  hundred  and 
eight  thoufand  nine  hundred  and 
fifteen  pounds  5  a,  fum  belonging  to 
the  public,  in  the  poffefiipn  of  only 
two  of  their  officers,  for  nine  years, 
and  the  public  reaping  no  benefit 
from  it  whatever. 

The  public  good  can's  for  fo  ef- 
fectual a  correction  of  this  evil,  as 
to  prevent  it  from  ^ver  happening 
for  the  future.  As  there,  fhould  be. 
a  check  upon  the  balance  of  a  pay- 
mafter  general  whil#  he  is  in  of- 
fice, it  is  equally  expedient  that  he 
fhould  retain  his  balance  as  ihort  a 
time  as  poifible  after  his  resigna- 
tion 5  that  he  mould  pay  it  over  to 
hislucceiTor,  and  the  fubfequent  bu- 
fineis  be  carried  on  by  him,  at  leaft 
as  much  of  it  as  can  be  tranfa&ed 
by  him  without  caufing  confufion  or 
delay.  Accprding  to  the  prefent 
courfe  of  bufinefs  in  this  office,  up- 
on the  refignation  of  a  paymafter 
general,  his  accounts  of  the  year's 
eftablifliment  are  carried  on  to  the 
24th  of  June,  or  24th  of  December, 
preceding  or  fubfequent  to  his  re- 
fignation, as  is  moft  convenient  to 
the  public  fervicej  when  it  is  fub- 
iequent,  he  receives  from  the  ex- 
chequer, though  out  of  office,  his 
.  proportion  bf  the  fupply  of  the  year 
to  that  time,  and  applies  it  in  dis- 
charge of  the  demands  upon  the 
fervice,  which  accrued  down  to  that 
period  -,  but  Of  thefe  demands,  fome 
do  not  come  In  a  courfe  of  payment, 
others  are  not  applied  for  till  fome 
time  after  they  arje  due ;  neither  the 
nett  orT-reckonings  nor'  the  clear- 
ings,' which  are  the  laft  payments 
on  account  of  a  regiment,  are 
difcharged  till  fifteen  or   fixteen 


months  after  they  become  due  *  th«, 
general, ,  ftaff,  and  reduced  officers 
do  not  all  apply  immediately  for 
their  pay  j  warrants  for  contingent 
cies  are  frequently  not  produced 
until  feveral  months  after  they  are 
payable  5  and  the  payirjafter  geae~  , 
ral  has  deputies  in  various  parts  of 
the  world,  whofe  accounts  he  muft 
have  time  to  adjuft  $  it  is  therefore 
convenient,  and  prevents  trouble  to 
the  office,  that  his  bufinefs  lhould 
be  carried  on,  and  fo  much  of  the 
public  money  as  is  neceflary  *for. 
that  purpofe  continue  in  his  nances 
for  fome  fhort  time  afterwards  $  and 
if  the  balance  be,  confined  within 
its  proper  bounds,  whilft  he  is  in 
office,  the  intereft  of  the  public 
will  not  be  materially  affected  hy 
the  detention  of  a  moderate  ba- 
lance, for  a  few  mouths  after  hi*, 
refignation. 

If  claimants  for  fums  directed,  ' 
but  not  applied  for,  in  the 'lime  of 
the.predecefTor,  mull,  according  to* 
the  prefent  forms  of  office,  have  re- 
courfe  to  the  treafury  for  new  war- 
rants, thofe  fcrms  are  inconvenient, 
and  mould  be  altered  \  the  fuccef- 
for  mould  be  empowered  to^  pay 
fuch  demands,  under  the  authority 
given  to  the  predecefibr,  without 
putting  claimants  to  the  trouble 
and  expence  of  a  fecond  applica- 
tion. 

Was  the  paymafter  general  to  re1-, 
tain  his  balance  until  his  account! 
are  finally  adjufted,  the  public 
would  be  kept  out  of  their  money 
to  a  very  diftant  and  uncertain  pe- 
riod. It  is  fixteen  years  fince  lord 
Holland  refigned,  and  his  accounts 
are  ftill  in  the  office  of  the  auditors 
of  the  impreft  unfettled  ?  the /pre- 
feut  paymafter  general  has  been  in 
office  thirteen  years,  and  the  fa& 
three  years  ami  a  half  only  of  his 
account* 


i  by  Google 


«$8J     ANNUAL  fcEGlSTEH,    1786. 


accounts  nre  lent  into  that  office, 
*fkKn  their  firft  ftage.  The  pub- 
lic have  a  right  to  be  informed  how 
their  money  has  been  expended, 
and  as  fpeedily  as  poffible  after  the 

x  expenditure :  the  evils  attending 
delay  are  many  and  obvious,  both 
to  the  perfon  accounting,  and  to 
thofe  entitled  to  call  for  the  ac- 
count. Being  accuftomed  to  go  in 
one  track,  and.  long  inattention  to* 
this  point,  in  the  departments  both 
of  thepaymafter  general' and  of  the 
auditors  of  the  impreft,  added  to  a 
great  increafe  of  bufinefs,  have  pro- 
duced long  arrears  5  it  requires,  and 
there  ought  to  be,  an  extraordinary 

'  exertion  in  both  offices,  to  bring 
the  accounts  forward,  and  to  intro- 
duce and  eftablifh  that  order  and 
regularity  in  making  them  up,  and 
keeping  them,  which  mould  be 
firi&ly  adhered  to  in  every  office  of 
account;    To  obtain  and  preierve 

.  an  accurate  and  competent  know- 
ledge of  the  ft  ate  they  are  in,  they 
ihould  be  made  up  and  balanced 
once  a  year,  to  a  certain  ftated 
lime,  and  as  foon  as  may  be  after 
that  ftated  time  is  elapfed.  But  the 
time  it  takes  to  complete  the  pay- 
ment of  certain  fervices^  and  the 
manner  of  carrying  on  fdme  bran- 
ches of  the  buli ne Is  in  this  office, 
are  impediments  to  fuch  a  regula- 
tion, and  feem  not  well  calculated 
either  for  perfpicuity  or  expedition. 
There  afe  certain  fervices,  for 
"which  no  fpeciric  fums  are  appro- 
priated, either  by  the  vote  of  par- 
liament, or  by  the  distribution  in 
the  eftablUhment  3  but  they  are  paid 
out  of  funds  compounded  of  a  great 
variety  and  number  of  articles, 
fubtra&ed  from  various  different 
grofs  fums,  either  voted  or  allotted 
for  certain  purpofes  :  thefe  fervices 
are,  Cheltea  hofpital,  the  allowance. 


to  widows,  the  doathmg  of  tfie  re-»: 
gulars,  exchequer  fees,  and  faiaries 
to  certain  officers.  One  of  thefe 
funds  is  the  poundage,  which  con- 
fifts  of  various  deductions' of  twelve 
pence  in  the  pound  upon  almoft 
every  individual  ium  (except  thfr 
half  pay,  of  which  the  deduction  is 
only  fix  pence  in  the  pound)  voted, 
or  allotted  by  the  diftributions  in- 
the  eftablifhments;  for  the  army 
fervices :  out  of  this  fund  are  paid, 
1  ft,  The  returned  poundage;  that 
is,  this  very  deduction,  thus  made,-' 
is  paid  back  to  certain  corps  5  fo* 
that  this  part  of  it  feems  to  be  de- 
ducted for  no  other  purpofe  but  that 
of  returning  it  back  again.  2dly.' 
A  part  of  this  poundage  is  applied 
towards  the  expences  of  Chelfea 
hofpital.  3dly.  The  remainder  pays 
the  exchequer  fees,  and  the  faiaries 
of  jthe  paymafter  general,  and  of 
other  officers. 

The  expences  attending  Chelfea 
hofpital  are  paid  out  of  twp  funds, 
blended  together;  the  one  is  part 
of  the  poundage  above-mentioned  5 
the  other  is  formed  of  the  deduc- 
tions of  one  day's  pay  of  every  per- 
fon named  in  fome  of  the  eftablifh- 
mepts,  and  of  fome  of  the  perfons 
named  in  other  of  theeftablifhments : 
to  form  this  fund,  and  that  of  the 
poundage,  and  to  make  thefe  feve- 
ral  deductions,  is  the  bufinefs  of 
the  pay-office. 

The  allowance  to  widows,  con- 
fiftsofthe  pay  of  two  private  men 
a  company,  and  is  a  part  of  the 
eftablifhment  in  every  regiment  5 
this  comes  from  the  war-office,  but 
the  feveral  articles  are  collected  to- 
gether from  the  regimental  diftri- 
butions, and  formed  into  a  fund,  in 
the  pay-office. 

The  fund  for  the  cloathing  is 
called  the  nett  off-reckonings ;  and 

is 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


STATE     PAPERS; 


[29) 


is  compofecLof  deductions  mdde  in 
the  pay-office,  out  of  the  fums  al- 
lotted in  the  eftablifhment  for  the 
full  pay  of  the  non-commiflSoned 
officers  and  private  men,  in  moft  of 
the  regiments  and  corps. 

One.  effect  of  thefe  operations  is> 
that  in  making  up  the  ftate  of  every 
regiment  in  the  pay-office,  the  fum 
allotted  for  its  pay  in  the  eftablilh- 
nient  mull  coniill  of  fix  parts ;  the 
poundage,  the  hofpital,  the  fubfiftr 
ence,  the  allowance  to  widows,  the. 
off-reckonings,   and  the  clearings, 
and*  fometinies  refpits.     This  ftate, 
befides  the  bufinefs  it  creates  in  the 
pay-office,  muft  be  examined,  com- 
puted,  and  (igned,  by  the  agent; 
for  he  receives  the  clearings,  which 
is  the  balaace  due  to  the  regiment j 
the  truth  of  which  balance  depends 
upon  the  juftnefs  of  the  calculation 
of  the  other  divi  lions :   it  mult  be 
examined   too,    and  computed,   by 
the  auditor  of  the  impreft  ;  for  the 
,paymafter  general  taking  credit  in 
his   acconnt  for  the  whole  pay  of 
each    regiment,    and    uncharging 
himfelf  with  the  total  amount  qf  the 
deductions  of  the  poundage,  hofpi- 
tal, and  widows,  in  every  year,  the 
auditor  cannot  know  the  accuracy 
of  the  furcharge,  without  an  exa- 
mination of  each  article  that  com- 
pofes  it. 

To  perfons  accu  domed  to  jthe 
courfe  of  office,  thefe  computations 
are  eafy  and  familiar;  but  they  cer- 
tainly mull  take  up  time ;  an  ob- 
ject, conlidering  the  prelent  (late  of 
the  arrrry  accounts,  worth  attending 
to.  If,  inflead  of  thele  deductions, 
certain  fpeciric  diftincl:  fums  were 
euHmated  and  fet  apart  for  thefe 
fervices  in  the  eftabHihment ;  if  dif- 
tincl: accounts  were  kept  of  the  re- 
ceipts and  payments,  under  each 
head  of  lervice;    if  the,  cloa thing 


of  the  regulars  was  voted  like  the 
cloathing  of  the  militia,  feparate 
from  the  eftabiiihment ;  if  the  fum 
allotted  to  a  regiment  fhould  be  the 
a&uai  pay,  and  the  whole  of  it  lje 
diftributed  amongft  the  officers  and 
private  men,  and  paid  to  them 
without  deduction,  at  fuch  times 
and  in  fuch  proportions  as  Hiall  be 
deemed  bell  for  the  fervice;  if 
every  diftinft  fervice  had  its  diftin& 
appropriation,  which  can  be  eafiljr 
eflimated  by  the  experience  of  pre- 
ceding years ;  .  it  fhould  feem  as  if 
this  branch  of  *the  pay  of  the  army 
might  be  carried  on  in  fc  more  finv- 
pie,  expeditious,  and  intelligible 
manner. 

In  public  trufts,  the  poffibilityojf 
a  lofs  ihould  be  guarded  agaihft,  as 
much  as  the  nature  of  the  trufb 
will  admit,  without  any  re(pe&  to 
perfons,  or  placing  any  more  con- 
fidence in  any  nian  than  can  be 
helped.  The  fums.  that  appear  to 
have  been  intrufted  to  paymaiteni 
general,  are  of.  a  magnitude,  that 
implies  danger  to  the  public;  for 
who  can  give,  or  find  fecurity  for 
the  payment  of  them  ?  At  the  head 
of  this  clafs  of  accountants,  ftands 
an  inftance  of  an  actual  lofs;  the 
laft  account  that  was  pafled  of  Lord 
Lincoln's  was  to  the  24th  of  De- 
cember17 19,  between  which,  and 
the  25th  of  June  1720,  four  hun- 
dred feventy- three  thoufand  one 
hundred  twenty-feven  pounds,  wei» 
iilued  to  him  from  the  exchequer  $ 
of  this  fum  it  does  not  appear  tha£ 
any  account  was  ever  given,  nor 
have  we  been  able  to  trace,  either 
in  the  pay-oiiice,  or  in  that  of  the 
auditors  of  the  imprelt,  the  expen- 
diture of  any  part  of  it  j  neither 
book  nor  paper,  relative  to  this  ac- 
count, is  to  be  found  in  either  of 
thoie  offices.  It  has-been  the  prac- 
•   *  *  lice 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


300]      A.NNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


ticc  of  the  paymtftert  general,  when 
they  went  out  of  office,  to  take  with 
them  the  books  and  papers  that  re- 
late to  their  accounts,  as  their  own 
prirate  property  5  but  as  the  pay- 
rnafter  general  is  an  officer  appoint- 
ed to  a  public  truft,  his  office  cre- 
ated for  the  ufe  of,  and  fupported 
by,  the  public,  and  his  books  con- 
tain accounts  of  the  receipt  and  ex- 
*penditure  of  public  money;  we  are 
of  opinion,  that  all  thefe  official 
bool^s  and  papers  are,  and  fhould  be 
considered  as  the  property  of  the 
public,  and  as  fuch  left  and  depo- 
sited /in  the  pay-office,  for  the  ufe 
and  information  of  pofterity. 

The    regulations    hitherto    fug- 

gefted,  are  upon  a  fuppofition  that 

the  conftitution  of  this  office  conti- 

'  nues  in  its  prefent  form ;  hut  there 

is  a  modification,  which,  if  it  can 

be  adopted,  will  effectually  remove 

the  power,  and  therefore  the  pof- 

fibility,  of  lofs  or  abufe  ;   that  is, 

by  taking  away  from  the  paymafter 

general  of  the  forces  the  cuftody 

of  the  public  cam,  and  placing  it 

in  the  bank  of  England  j  this  trea- 

fury  will   then  be  converted  into 

an  office  of  mere  account,  and  the 

paymafter  general,  inftead  of  being 

the  banker  of  the  army,  will  be  the 

inftrument  only,  through  whom  the 

army   fervices    are   paid,    without 

having  the  power  of  applying  the 

public  money  to  any  other  purpofes 

whatever.     Some  judgment  may  be 

far  this  plan  is  practi- 

mparing  the  alteration 

in  the  great  outlines  of 

)f  this  office,  the  receipt^ 

e  keeping  the  accounts, 

hunting,  with  the  forms 

The  impreft  muft  be 

j  the  bank  muft  make- 

s,  by  means  of  checque 

i  by  the  paymafter  ge- 


neral,, fpecifyi  ng  the  warrant,  and 
the  fervice:  the  payrnafter  general 
muft  keep  the  account  of  thefe  re- 
ceipts and  payments,  and  the  bank 
a  duplicate;  both  muft  join  in  pair- 
ing the  accounts,  the  one  producing 
the  warrants  difcharged  by  his 
drafts,  the  other  producing  the 
drafts  difcharged  by  payment. .  Un- 
der the  prefent  conftitution  of  this 
office,  the  paymafter  general  keeps 
his  cafh  at  the  bank  -;  the  back  re- 
ceives it  at  the  exchequer  on  his 
account ;  he  never  pays  in  calh,  but 
by  his  cafhiers  drafts  on  the  bank  : 
he  keeps  the  account  of  all  thefe 
receipts  and  payments,  as  if  they 
were  tranfacted  in  cafh:  the  war- 
rant indorfed,  or  the  warrant  and 
receipt,  or  the  warrant  and.  regi- 
mental pay-book,  figned  by  the 
agent,  and  receipt  for  the  off- 
reckonings, are  his  vouchers  :  his 
deputies  pay,  when'  they  can,  by 
drafts  upon  the  agent  to  the  remit- 
ter, who  is  the  bank  abroad  and  ac- 
countable to  the  public. 

Such  is  the  fimilitude  between; 
the  mode  propofed  and  the  mode  in 
ufe:  and  thus  far  this  regulation 
carries  with  it  all  the  appearance  of 
-being  reducible  to  practice. 

We  are  well  aware  of  the  diffi? 
culties  that  muft  for  ever  attend  the 
introducing  novelty  of  form  into 
ancient  offices,  framed  b^  the  wif- 
dom  of  our  anceftors,  and  eftablifhed 
by  the  experience  of  ages ;  they  are 
considered  as  incapable  of  improve- 
ment ;  the  officers  educated  in,  and 
accuftomed  to  the  forms  in  ufe,  are 
infenfible  of  their  defects,  or;  if 
they  feel  them,  have  no  leifure, 
often  no  ability  >  feldom  any*  incli- 
nation, to  correct  them;  alarmed 
at  the-  idea  of  innovation,  they  re- 
lift  the  propofal  of  a  regulation,  be- 
cause it  is  a  change,  though  from 
a  Derplexed 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


STATE     PAPERS. 


f3<* 


a  perplexed  and  intricate,  to  a  more 
fimple  and  intelligible  fyftem. 

To  trace  this  alteration  through 
every  branch  of  the  bufinefs,  to 
mark  all  its  effects,  that  it  does  not 
in  anywife  difturb  the  pay  of  the 
army,  pepplex  the  accounts,'  or 
throw  difficulties  or  delays  in  the 
palling  them ;  to  point  out  the  fleps 
by  which  it  ought  gradually  and  me- 
thodically to  be  introduced,  is  a 
work  of  long  ferious  attention  and 
accurate  examination  $  but  the  ap- 
pearance this  plan  carries  with  it  of 
being  practicable,  and  the  advantage 
it  holds  out  to  the  public,  in  an  of- 
fice,, that  certainly  ftands  in  need  of 
fome  reform,  afford  us  fufficient 
reafon  for  fubmitting  the  confi- 
derafcion  of  it  to  the  wifdom  of  the 
legiflature. 

Guy  Carleton,        (L.-S;) 
T.  Anguijh,  (L.  S.) 

AKjptt.  (L.'S.) 

Rid.  Maw,        (£.  S.) 
Sam.  Beachcroft,    (L»  S.) 
Geo.  Drummond,    (L.  S.) 
Office  of  Accounts, 

Surrey-flreet, 
loth  Auguft,  1781. 


Heads  of  the  principal  Ads  of  Parlia- 
ment 'which  pajjed  in  the  $d  Srffion 
of  the   16th  Parliament  of  Great. 

{  Britain,  commencing  on  the  2\th  of 
January,    1786. 

FURTHER  continuation,  for  a 
limited  time,  of  the  ads  pafled 
in  the  23  d  and  24th  years  of  his  pre- 
fent  majefty's  reign,  relative  to  the 
commercial  intercourfe  betwixt  the 
United  States  of  America  and  his 
majefty's  dominions. 

An  aft  for  confining  to  a  limited 
time  the  trade  between  the  ports  of 
the  United  States  of  America  and  his 


Aajefty's  fubjeds  in  the  ifland  of 
Newfoundland,  to  bread,  flour,  In- 
dian corn,  and  live  flock,  to  be  ipa* 
ported  in  none  but  Britiih-built 
fhiDs,  aduaily  belonging  to  Britifh 
fubjeds,  and  navigated  according  to 
law,  clearing  out  from  ports  of  his 
majefty's  European  dominions',  and 
furnifhed  with  a  licence  according  to 
the  form  thereunto  annexed.  - 

4n  a6t  for  augmenting  pud  ascer- 
taining the  income  of  the  rectors  of 
the  parifh  church*  and  •parochial  chat 
pel  of  Liverpool. 

An  ad  to  explain  and  amend  cer- 
tain provifions  of  an  ad  made  in  the 
24th  year  of  the  reign  of  his  prefent 
majefty,refpecl:ing  the  better  regula- 
tion and  management  of  the  affairs 
of  the  Eafl  India  Company.  . 

An  ad. for  obviating  all  doubts 
which  have  arifen,  or  might  aiife, 
with  refped  to  the  exclulive  power 
of  the  Court  of  Dire&ors  of  the 
Eaft  India  Company  to  nominate  and  < 
appoint  the,  governor  general  and 
council  of  the  presidency  of  fort 
William  in  Bengal. 

An  ad  for  veiling  certain  fums  in 
commilfioners  at  the  end  of  every 
quarter  of  a  year,  to  be  by  them  ap- 
plied to  the  reduction  of  the  national 
debt. 

.  An  ad  for  regulating  the  time  of 
the  imprifonment  of  debtors  impri- 
ibned  by  procefs  from  courts  injti- 
.tuted  for  the  recovery  of  Imall  debts; 
for  abolifliing  the  claim  of  fees  of 
gaolers  and  others,  in  cafes  of  fuch 
imprifonment ;  and  for  afcertain- 
ing  the  qualification  of  the  com- 
miflioners. 

An  ad  for  the  further  relief  of 
debtors,  with  refped  to  the  impri-1 
fonment  of  their  perfons  5  and  to 
oblige  debtors  who  fhall  continue  in 
execution  in  prifon  beyond  a  cer- 
tain time>  and  for  fums, not  exceed- 
ing 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC    x 


302]      ANNUAL  &  E  G  1  S  T  E  R,'    1786. 


ing  what  are  mentioned  in  the  act, 
to  mfake  difcovery  of,  and  deliver 
upon  oath,  their  etfates  for  their  cre- 
ditors benefit. 

An  ad  for  augmenting  and  fixing 
the  falaries  of  the  lords  of  fetiion, 
lords  commifiioners  of  judiciary,  and 
barons  of  exchequer,  in  that  part  of 
Great  Britain  called  Scotland. 

An  ad  for  the  further  regulation 
of  the  trial  of  perfons  accufed'  of 
certain  offences  committed  in  the 
Eaft  Indies;  for  the  repealing  fo 
much  of  an  act  made  in  the  24th 
year  of  the  reign  of  his  prefent  ma- 
jelly,  intituled,  "An  act  for  the  bet- 
ter regulation  and  management  of 
the  affairs  of  the  Eatl  India  Com- 
pany, and  of  the  Britifh  pofleflions  in 
India,  and  eftabliming  a  court  of  ju- 
dicature for  the  more  fpeedy  and  ef- 
fectual trial  of  perfons  accufed  of 
offences  committed  in  the  Eaft  In- 
dies;" and  for  the  more  eafy  proof, 
in  certain  cafes,  of  deeds  and  writings 
executed  in  Great  Britain  or  India. 

An  act  for  appointing  commif- 
fioners  further  to  enquire  into  the 
fees,  gratuities, perquifites,  and  emo- 
luments, which  are  or  have  been 
lately  received  in  the  feveral  public 
offices  therein  mentioned;  to  exa- 
mine into  any  abufes  which  may 
exift  in  the  fame,  and  to  report  fuch 
obfervations  as  fhall  occur  to  them 
for  the  better  conducting  and  ma- 
naging the  bufinefs  tranfocted  in  the 
fa  id  oiSces. 

An  act  for  appointing  and  en?> 
bling  commiflioners  further  to  exa- 
mine, take,  and  ftate,  the  public  ac- 
counts of  th$  kingdom. 


An  act  for  appointing  Cormnft 
fioners  further  to  enquire  into  the 
loffes  ajid  fervices  of  all  fuch  perfons 
who  have  furTered  in  their  rights, 
properties,  and  pofleflions,  during 
the  late  unhappy  diflenfions  in  Ame- 
rica, in  confequence  of  their  loyalty 
to  his  majefty,  and  attachment  to  the 
Britifh  government. 

An  act  for  appointing  commif- 
fioners to  enquire  into  the  lodes  of 
all  fuch  perfons  who  have  fufferedin 
their  properties,  in  confequence  of 
the  ceilion  of  the  "province  of  Eaft 
Florida  to  the  king  of  Spain. 

An  act  to  empower  the  archbithop 
of  Canterbury,  or  the  archbifhopof 
York,  for  the  time  being,  to  con- 
fecrate  to  the  office  of  bifhop  per- 
fons being  fubje&s  or  citizens  ci 
countries  out  of  his  niajeity's  domi- 
nions. 

An  a 6r.  foF  appointing  commif- 
fioners to  enquire  into  the  ftate  and 
condition  of  the  woods,  forefts,  and 
land  revenues,  belonging  to  the 
crown,  and  to  fell  or  alienate  fee- 
farm  and  other  unimproveable  rents. 

An  act  for  incorporating  certain 
perfons  therein  named,  by  the  name 
and  ityle  of  "  The  Britifh  Society  for 
extending  of  the  fifheries,  and  im- 
proving the  fea  coafts  of  this  kin;* 
dom 5"  and  to  enable  them,  when 
incorporated,  to  fubferibe  a  joint 
ftock,  and  therewith  to  purchafe 
lands,  and  build  thereon  free  towns, 
villages,  and  liming  ftations,  in  the 
highlands  and  iflands  in  that  part  of 
Great  Britain  called  Scotland,  and 
for  other  purpofes. 


CHARACTERS, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


•t  •  t  1 

C  H  A  R  A  GTE  R  S. 


Character  *  of  Dr.  Samuel  Johnfon. 
Ext  rafted  from  J\frs.  PiozziV  Ante* 
,    dotes  concerning  him, 

IT  is  ufual,  I  know  not  why,  wjien 
afchara&er  is  given,  to  begin 
with  a  description  of  the  perfon ; 
that  which  contained  the  foul  of  Mr. 
Johnfon  deferves  to  be  particularly 
deferibed.  His  ftature  was  remark- 
ably high,  and  his  limbs  exceeding- 
ly large  :  his  ftrength  was  more  than 
common  I  believe,  and  his  a&ivity 
had  been  greater  I  haVe  heard  than 
fuch  a  form  gave  one  reafou  to  ex- 
pert :  his  features  were  ftrongly 
marked,,  and  his  countenance  parti- 
cularly rugged ;  though  the  original 
complexion  had  certainly  been  fair, 
a  circumftance  fomewhat  unufual : 
his  fight  was  near,  and  otherwife 
imperfect ;  yet  his  ejres,  though  of 
a  light  grey  colour,  were  fo  wild,  fo 
piercing,  and  at  times  fo  fierce*  that 
fear  was  I  believe  the  firft  emotion 
in  the  hearts  of  all  his  beholders. 
His  mind  was  fo  comprehenfive,  that 
no  language  but  that  he  ufed  could 
have  exprelfed  its  contents  j  and  fo 
ponderous  was  his  language,  that 
fentiments  lefs  lofty  and  lefs  folid 
than  his  were,  would  have  been  en- 
cumbered, not  adorned  by  it. 

Mr.  Johnfon  was  not  intentionally 
however  a  pompous  converfer )  and 
though  he  was  accufed  of  ufing  big 
words  as  they  are  called,  it  was  only 
when  little  ones  would  not  efcprefs 
his  meaning  as  clearly,  or  when  per- 


haps the  elevation  of  the  thought 
would  have^been  difgracedby  a  dre& 
lefs  fuperb.  He  ufed  to  fay,  "  that 
the  fize  of  a  man's  underftanding 
might  always  be  juftly  meafured  by 
his  mirth  ;M  and  his  own  was1  never  . 
contemptible.  He  would  laugh  at  a 
ftrake  of  genuine  humour,  or  fuddea 
fally  of  odd  abfurdity,  as  heartily* 
and  freely  as  I  ever  yet  faw  any  man, 
and  though  th&  jeft  was  often'  fuch 
as  few  felt,  betides  himfelf,  yet  his 
laugh  was  irrefiftible,  and  was  ob- 
ferved  immediately  to  produce  that 
of  the  company,  not  merely  from  the 
notion  that  it  was  proper  to  laugh 
when  he  did,  but  purely  out  of  want 
of  power  to  forbear  it.  He  was  no,  v 
enemy  to  fplendour  of  apparel  pr 
pomp  of  equipage. — "  Life  (he 
would  fay)  is  barren  enough  furely 
with  all  her  trappings ;  Act  us  there- 
fore be  cautious  how  we  ftrip  her." 
In  matters  of  ftill  higher  moment 
he  once  obferved,  when  f peaking  on 
the  fubjecr,  of  fudden  innovation,— »■ 
"  He  who  plants  a  foreft  may  doubt- 
lefs  cut  down  a'  hedge  \  yet  I  could  * 
wiih  methinks  that  even  he  woulft 
wait  till  he  fees  his  young  plants 
grow," 

With  regard  to  common  occur- 
rences, Mr.  Johnfon  had,  when  I 
'nrft  knew  him,  looked  on  tfie  iiill- 
fhifting  fcenes  o£  life  till, he*  was 
weary  \  for  as  a  mind  How  in  its 
own  nature,  or  unenlivened  by  in- 
formation, will  contentedly  read  in 
the  fame  book  for  twenty  times  per- 


♦  In  our  preceding  volume  there  is  a  character  of  Dr.  Johnfon,  by  Mr.  Bof- 
well.  The  characters  of  eminent  men  become  the  more  intertfting,  from  being  de- 
lineated by  iuch  different  perfou*  as  had  the  bed  opportunities  of  knowing  them. 

'   yoL.XXVIIL  B  .haps, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 


*  baps,  the  very  a&  of  reading  it,  be- 
ing more  than  half  the  bufinefs*and 
every  period  being  at  every  reading 
better  nnderftood;  while  a  mind 
more  active  or  more  ikilful  to  com- 
prehend its  meaning  is  made  fin- 
cerely  lick  at  the  fecond  perufal ;  fo 
a  foul  like  his,  acute  to  difcern  the 
truth,  vigorous  to  embrace,  and 
powerful  to  retain  it,  foon  fees 
enough  of  the  world's  dull  profpeet, 
which  at  firft,  like  that  of  the  fea, 
pleafes  by  its  extent,  but  foon,  like 
that  too,  fatigues  from  its  unifor- 
mity ;  a  calm  and  a  ftorm  being  the 
only  variations  that  the  nature  of 
either  will,  admit. 

Of  Mr.  Johnfon's  erudition  the 
world  has  been  the  judge,  and  we 
who  produce  each  a  fcore  of  his  fay- 
in  gs,  as  proofs  of  that  wit  which  in 
him  was  inexhauftible,  refemble 
travellers  who,  having  vifited  Delhi 
or  Golconda,  bring  home  each  a 
handful  of  Oriental  pearl  to  evince 
the  riches  of  the  Great  Mogul.  May 
the  public  condefcend  to  accept  my 
ill-JIrung  fele&ion  with  patience  at 
lea  It,  remembering  only  that  they  are 
relics  of  him  who  was  great  on  all 
occafions,  and,  like  a  cube  in  archi- 
tect ure,  you  beheld  him  on  each  fide, 
and  his  fize  ftill  appeared  undimi- 
nished. 

As  his  purfe  was  ever  open  to 
alms-giving,  io  was  his  heart  tender 

*  to  thofe  who  wanted  relief,  and  his 
foul  fufceptible  of  gratitude,  and  of 
every  kind  impreflion ;  yet  though 
he  had  refined  his  fenfibility,  he  had 

*  not  endangered  his  quiet,  by  en- 
couraging in  himfelf  a  •folicitude 
about  trifles,  which  he  treated  with 
the  contempt  they  deferve. 

It  was  well  enough  known  before 
thefe  meets  were  publifhed,  that  Mr. 

*  Johnfon  had  a  roughnefs  in  his  man- 
ner which  fubdued  the  faucy,  and 
tei  rifled  the  meek  :  this  was,  when 


I  knew  him,  the  prominent  part  of 
a,  character  which  few  durti  venture 
to  approach  fo  nearly ;  and  which 
was  for  that  reafon  in  many  refpe&s 
grofsly  and  frequently  miftaken,  and 
it  was  perhaps  peculiar  to  him,  that 
the  lofty  con fcioufnefs  of  his  own  fu- 
periority,  which  animated  his  looks, 
and  railed  his  voice  in  converfation, 
call  likewife  an  impenetrable  veil 
over  him  when  he  faid  nothing.  His 
talk  therefore  bad  commonly  the 
complexion  of  arrogance,  hisfileiice 
of  fuperciliouihefs.  He  was  how- 
ever feldom  inclined  to  be  filent 
when  any  moral  or  literary  queflion 
was  (tar ted :  and  it  was  on  fuch  occa- 
sions, that,  like  the  fage  in  Raflelas, 
he  fpoke,  and  attention  watched  his 
lips ;  he  reafoned,  and  conviction 
clofed  his  periods  :  if  poetry*  was 
talked  of,  his  quotations  were  the 
readied ;  and  bad  he  not  been  emi- 
nent for  more  folid  and  brilliant 
qualities,  mankind  would  have  unit- 
ed to  extol  his  extraordinary  me- 
mory. His  manner  of  repeating 
deferves  to  be  defcribed,  though  at 
the  fame  time  it  defeats  all  power 
of  defcription  ;  but  whoever  once 
heard  him  repeat  an  ode  of  Horace; 
would  be  long  before  they  could 
endure  to  hear  it  repeated  by  ano- 
ther. 

His  equity  i^  giving  the  charac- 
ter of  living  acquaintance  ought 
not  undoubtedly  to  be  omitted .  in 
his  own,  whence  partiality  and  pre- 
judice were  totally  excluded,  and 
truth  alone  presided  in  his  tongue  r  a 
fteadinefs  of  conduct  the  more  to  be 
commended,  as  no  man  had  ftronger 
likings  or  averfions.  His  veracity 
was  indeed,  from  the  moft  trivial 
to  the  mod  folemn  occafions,  lrri&, 
even  to  Severity ;  he  fcorned  to  em- 
beiUfh  a  dory  with  fi&itious.circum- 
ftandes,  which  (heufed  to  fay)  took 
off  from  its  real  value.    "  A  ftory 

(fays 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


C  H  A  R'A  C  f  E  R  S» 


(&to  Johnfon)  mould  be  a  fpeciqten 
^  of  life  and  manners}  but  if  the  fur- 
rounding  circumftances  are  falfe,  as 
it  is  no  more  a  r^eprefentation  of 
reality,  it  is  no  longer  worthy  otir 
Attention/* 

For  the  reft— That  beneficence 
which  during  his  life  increafed  the 
comforts  of  lb  many,  may  after  his 
death  be  perhaps  ungratefully  for- 
gotten) but  that  piety  which  die* 
tated  the  ferious  papers  in  the 
Rambler,  will  be  for  ever  remem- 
bered ;  for  ever,  I  think,  revered. 
That  aropje  repofitory  of  religious 
truth,  moral  wifdom,  and  accurate 
criticifm*  breathes  indeed  the  ge- 
nuine emanations  of  its  great  au- 
thor's mind,  exprefTed  too  in  a  ftyle 
fo  natural  to  him,  and  fo  much  like 
his  common  mode  of  converting, 
that  I  was  myfelf  but  little  aftonifh- 
ed  when  he  told  me,  that  he  had 
Scarcely  read  over  one  of  thofe  ini- 
mitable eflays  before  they  went  to 
the  prefs. 

I  will  add  one  or  two  peculiarities 
tnore,  before  I  lay  down  my  pen, — 
Though  at  an  immeafurable  diftance 
from  content  in  the  contemplation 
of  his  own  uncouth  form  and  figure, 
he  did  not  like  another  man  much 
the  lefs  for  being  a  coxcomb.  I 
mentioned  two  friends  who  were 
particularly  fond  of  looking  at  them- 
felves  in  a  glafs — "  They  do  not 
furprife  me  at  all  by  fo  doing  (faid 
Johnfon) :  they  fee,  reflected  in  that 
glafs,  men  who  have  rifen  from  al- 
moft  the  loweft  fituations  in  life") 
one  to  enormous  riches,  the  other 
to  every  tiling  this  world  can  give- 
rank*  fame,  and  fortune*  They  fee 
likewife,  men  who  have  merited  their, 
advancement  by  the  exertion  and 
Improvement  of  thofe  talents  which 
God  had  given  them;  and  I  fee  not 
why  they  mould  avoid  the  mirror.'* 


The  other  angularity  I  prbmjfed 
to  record,  is  ibis,  That  though  ft 
man  of  bbfeure  birth  himfelf,  his 
partiality  to  people  of  family  was, 
viable  on  eveijr  occafion  j  his  i eal 
for  fubordination  warm  even  to  hi* 
gotry  j  his  hatred  to  innovation,  and 
reverence  for  the  old  feudal  times, 
apparent,  whenever  any  pofflbia 
manner  of  fhewinjr,  them  decdrred.  ', 
I  have  fpoken  of  his  piety,  his  cha- 
rity, and  his  truth,  the  enlargement 
of  his  heart,  and  the  delicacy  df  his 
fentiments  $  'and  when  I  fearch  for  ' 
fhadow  to  my  portrait,  none  can  I 
find  but  what  was  formed  by  pride, 
differently  modified  as  different  oc- 
caflofts  fhewed  it;  vet  never  was 
pride  fo  purified  as  Johnfon's,  at  oncd 
from  meannefs  and  from  vanity. — 
The  mind  of  this  man  was  indeed 
expanded  beyond  the  common  limits 
of  human  nature,  and  ftored  with 
fuch  variety  of  knowledge,  that  I  • 
ufed  to  think  it  'refembled  a  royal 
pleafure-ground,  where  every  plant 
of  every  name  and  nation  flourifh* 
ed  in  the  full  perfection  of  thei* 
powers,  and  where,  though  lofty 
woods  and  falling  cataracts  firft 
caught  the  eye,  and  fixed  the  earli* 
eft  attention  of  beholders,  yet  nei«* 
ther  the  trim  parterre  nor  the  pleaf* 
ing  fhrubbery,  not  even  the  anti* 
quated  evergreens,  were  denied  it 
place  in  feme  fit  corner  of  the  happy  ' 
valley. 


-*L±. 


A  fbort Account  of  the  petfon  and  cba* 
,  r&8er  of  feter  the  Second,  Emperor 
ofRxt&a,  and  of  bh  fifter  the  Prin- 
ctfs  Natbalia.  Front  Mrs.  Vigor'/ 
additional  letttfs  from  Rufilaj  writ* 
ten  in  that  Emperor's  reign* 

t€  TTE  appeared  tall  of  his  age,  hat 

X±  Hght-bfown  hair/blue  eyes, 

B  a  ratht^ 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ANNUAL    RfeGI^TER,   1786. 


rather  a  hahdfoibe  face,  and,  I  fancy 
a  fine  complexion' 5  but  tanned  like 
a  mulatto.  He  has  a  very  grave 
look  j  if  I  were  not  fpeaking  of  a 
monarch,  I  ihould  fay,  a  fuflyone;  fo 
much  fo,  that  even  the  bloom  of 
youth  lofes  its  pleafingnefs  by  it.  He 
is,  they  fay,  Very  referved,  and  does 
not  chufe  to  make  himfelf  matter  of 
any  language  but  his  own.  He  was 
doatingly  fond  of  his  filter*,  and  fhe 
could  perfuade  him  to  almoft  any 
thing.  One  anecdote,  I  think,  I 
can  be  fure,  is  true.  One  of  his 
valet  de  chambres,  a  Frenchman, 
was  cutting  the  princefs*s  hair,  and 
ihe  talking  tp  him  in  French,  when 
the  emperor  came  into  her  apart- 
ment, and  faid,  "  Sifter,  why  do 
you  talk  French  to  him  ?  he  fpeaks 
tetter  Ruffian  than  you  do  French. " 
She  aufwered,  "  That  is  the  very 
zeajfon,  brother,  why  I  do  it;  for, 
would  it  not  be  thameful,  that  he, 
who  has  fo  few  helps,  fliould  learn 
our  language  better  than  we  learn 
his  who  have  helps  to  it  ?!'  He.  pat- 
ted her  cheek,  and  kitted  her,  arid 
faid,  "  I  will  apply  for  the  future  * 
and  to  the  man,  <e  Do  you  always 
fpeak  French  to  me  when  you  aje 
about  me."  This  princefs  promifed 
fair  to  have  inherited  her  grand- 
father's genius*.  Count  Ofterman 
made  ufe  of  her'  influence,  over  his 
pupil  to  do,  or  prevent  his  doing, 
#ny  thing  he  liked  or  dittiked.  The 
«Jay  fhe  died,  the  worthlefs  young 
favourite  f  that  this  young  monarch 
has  unhappily  taken  a  fancy  ,to, 
finding  count  Ofterman  in  the  next 
room  to  that  where  her  corpfe  lay, 
with  the  greater!:  grief  painted  in 
his  free,  with  a  fneer  faid  to  him, 
c'  There  lies  your  princefs>  Now 
£o,  and  complain  of  me  to  her." — 
"very  worthy  perfon  agrees  that  the 
'         -»  Fruiceft  Nathalia. 


empire  had  the  greateft  lofs  by  her* 
death,  that  it  has  had  fince  that  of 
her  grandfather,  and  no  lovers  of 
the  country  fpeak  of  her  without 
tears.  She  died  of  a  confumption, 
and  behaved  through  a  tedious  ill- 
nefs  like  a  heroine. 

Character  of  the  Mogul  Emperor \ 
Shaw  Aulum,  eldeft  fin  and  fuc-. 
cejfor  to  the  famous  Aulumgeer  All* 
rengzebe. 

This  account  is  taken  from  a  tranfla* 
tion  of  the  memoirs,  in  the  Per  fie 
language,  of  Eradut  Khan,  a  no* 
hleman  of  Indoftah,  by  Jonathan 
Scott,  Captain  in  the  fervice  of  the 
Eaft  India  Company,  and  private 
Perfian  TranfiaJor  to  Governor 
Haftings.— Eradut  Khan  *was  con* 
temporary  with,  and  held  high  of* 
fices  under  Aurengzebe,  and  under 

x  hisfons,  and  his  memoirs  arc*  held  at 
highly  authentic  in  Hi  n  deft  an. 

«  QHAW  AULUM  wasgenerout 
J3  and  merciful,  of  a  great  foul 
tempered  with  affability,  difcerning 
of  merit.  He  had  feen  the  ftrict 
exercife  of  power  during  the  reign* 
of  his  grandfather  and  father,  and 
been  ufed  to  authority  himifelf  for. 
the  lait  fifty  years. .  Time  received 
a  new  luftre  from  his  acce(fion,  and 
all  ranks  of  people  obtained  favours 
equal,  if  not  fu^erior,  to  tjjeir  me- 
rits 5  fo  that  the  public  forgot 
the  excellencies  and  great  qualities 
of  Aulumgeer,  which  became 
abforhed  in  the  bounties,  of  bis 
iuccefibr.  Some  narrow-hearted 
perfons,  however,  out  of  ingratitude 
and  envy,  attributed  his  general 
liberality  to  ilj-placed  extravagance 
and  profufion  ;  but  it  is  a  tacit,  that 
the  deferving  of  every  profeffion, 
and  worthy  of  all  degrees,  whether 

f  Prince  Dolghorucki. 

among 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHARACTERS. 


among  the  learned  or  the  eloquent, 
the  noble  or  the  ignoble,  received  an 
attention  from  the  throne,  whijh 
the  eye  of  time  prior  to  this  had 
never  feen,  nor  had  fuch  been  heard 
of  before  by  the  ears  of  fame.  His 
perfonal  qualities  and  perfections, 
fpeech  is  unequal  to  relate.  His 
Valour  was  fuch,  that  he  had  re- 
folved  on  meeting  Azim  Shaw, 
whofe  bravery  was  celebrated,  in 
fingle  combat.  His  four  ions,  pof- 
feil'ed  of  great  power  and  consider- 
able force,  he  .fuffered  conftantly  to 
be  pear  his  perfon,  never  giving 
himfelf  a  moment's  fufpicion  regard- 
ing them,  nor  preventing  their  form- 
ing connections  with  the  prime  no- 
bility 5  upon  which  fubject  I,  the 
humbleft  of  his  Haves,  once  ventur- 
ed to  prefent  him  a  petition  of  a 
cautionary  nature,  thinking  it  my 
duty,  as  I  had  often  done  fo  to  Au- 
lumgeer.  To  what  J  reprefented, 
Jie  wrote  a  wife  and  juft  reply, 
which,  by  God's  permiflion,  I  will 
one  time  or  other  relate.  He  per- 
mitted the  fons  of  thofe  princes, 
who  had  fallen  in  battle  againft  him, 
.to 'appear  at  all  times  completely 
armed  in  his  prefence.  The  infant 
children  he  let  remain  unmolefted 
With  their  mothers,  while  thofe  ar- 
rived at  manhood  daily  accompanied 
Jiim  in  the  chace,  unguarded,  and 

*  Anglice,  Of  high  defcent.  ' 

f  The  Mahummedajis  have  two  grand  eeds  or  holidays,  one  at  the  conclufion 
pf  the  ramzauri,  and  the  other  on  the  anniverfary  of  th?  clay  on  which  Abraham 
confented  to  facrifice  his  fon.  Qn  thefe  days  tents  are  pitched  about  a  mile  dip 
tarit  from  the  city,  to  which  the  emperor  goes  in  gieat  ftate  to  pray,  and  on  his 
return  receives  prefents  from  his  ameers,  on  whom  he  confers  honorary  dreffes 
according  to  rank,  The  fame  ceremony  is  obferved  in  every  town*  by  the  go- 
vernor. At  the  laft  eede,  after  prayers,  a  camel  is  facrinced,  and  a  fmall  part  of 
.it  drafted,  and  eaten  on  the  fpot  by  the  emperor  and  his  attendants.  The  caval- 
cades which  I  chanced  to  attend  on  each  of  thefe  days,  at  Lucnow  and  Banaris* 
were  very  brilliant,  and  ferved  to  give  an  idea  of  the  aftonifhing  fplendor  which 
muft  have  graced  thefe  in  the  flourishing  times  of  the  empiret  It  is  probable  Mr, 
JSofFani  may  offer  the  public  a  view  of  the  procefiion  at  Lucnow,  on  the  fuft  eed  in 
I7&4,  as  fee  was  prefent,  and  toofc  a  fltetch  of  it. 


fhared  in  all  his  diverfions.  His 
court  was  magnificent  to  a  degree 
beyond  that  of  Shaw  Jehaun.  Seven- 
teen princes,  his  fons,  grandfons, 
and  nepnews,  fat  generally  round 
his  throne,  in  the  manner  following : 
—On  his  right  hand,  Jehaundaur 
Shaw,  his  eldeft  fon,  with  his  three 
fons,  his  third  fon  Ruffeh  Oofhawn 
with  his.  three  fons,  and  Bedar  Dil, 
fon  to  his  nephew  Bedar  Bukht.  On 
his  left,  Mahummud  Azeem  Oo- 
fhawn  with  his  two  fons,  and  Jehaun 
Shaw  with  his  fon.  *  Ali  Tibbar, 
the  only  furviving  fon  of  Azim  Shaw, 
fat  on  the  right  hand  of  Azeera 
Ooflhawn,  and  a  little  to  the  right, 
fomewhat  advanced,  the  two  fons  of 
Mahummud  Kaum  Bukfh.  Behind 
the  royal  princes  on  the  right,  (lood 
the  fons  of  conquered  fovereigns,  at 
of  Secunder  Adil  Shaw  of  Beeja- 
pore,  and  Koottub  Shaw,  king  of 
Golconda  ;  alfo  a  vaft  croud  of  the 
nobility,  from  the  rank  of  feven  to 
three  thoufand,  fuch  as  were  allow- 
ed to  be  on  the  platform,  between 
the  filver  rails.  How  can  I  mention 
every  particular  of  the  fplendid 
fcene  ?  On  the  f  eeds,  and  other 
feftivals,  his  majefty,  with  his  own 
hands,  gave  the  betel  and  perfumes 
to  all  in  his  prefence,  according  to 
their  ranks.  His  gifts  of  jewels, 
dreffes,   and  ©ther    favours,  were 


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truly  royal.  When  in.  private,  he 
dreffed  plain  and  humbly,  like  a  re- 
ligious, and  daily,  without  fail, 
prayed  with  many  in  company. 
Frequently  on  holidays  and  Fridays^ 
when  travelling,  he  would  read  the 
prayers  himfelf,  in  the  grand  tent 
of  audience,  and  repeat  portions  of 
the  Koraun  with  a  tone  and  fweet- 
nefs  which  captivated  the  moft  elo- 
quent Arabians.  He  never  miffed 
the  devotions  of  the  latter  part  of 
the  night,  and  frequently  employed 
the  whole  in  prayer.  In  the  early 
part  of  the  evening,  he  had  gene- 
rally an  affembly  of  the  religious, 
pr  learned  men.  He  himfelf  related 
*  traditions,  in  the  number  of  which 
he  excelled,  as  well  as  in  a  know- 
ledge of  the  holy  laws.  He  had 
Explored  the  different  opinions  of 
fill  fe6jts,  read  the  works  of  all  free- 
thinkers, and  was  well  acquainted 
with  the  hypothefes  of  each.  On 
this  account,  fome  over-ftri6k  de- 
votees accufed  him  of  heterodoxy 
in  his  religious  opinions,  through 
mere  envy  of  his  fuperior  abilities. 
t  heard  moil  of  his  tenets,  and  la- 
mented thff  infolence  of  his  vain 
critics  j  for  it  was  as  clear  as  the 
fun,  how  juft  and  orthodox  he  was 
in  his  opinipns  on  religious  poinds. 
But  how  can  I  enumerate  all  his  per- 
fections \    It  would  fill  volumes  to 


who  gave  himfelf  no  trouble  abou$ 
flate  affairs,  or  to  gain  the  attach- 
ment of  any  of  the  nobility,  ai, 
will  be  feen  when  I  come  to.,  relate 
his  reign. 

Azeem  Oofhawn,  the  fecond  fon, 
was  a  ftatefman  of  winning  man- 
ners. Aulumgeer  bad  always  our-; 
fued  the  policy  of  encouraging  his 
grandfons,  and  employing  them  in 
public  affairs  \  for,  as  his  Tons  were 
ambitious  of  great  power*  and  at 

-the  head  of  armies,  he  thus  pro-* 
dently  controuled  them,  by  oppo* 
fing  to  them  enemies  in  their  own- 
families,  as*  Eedar  Bukht  to  Azim 
Shaw,  and  Azeem  Oofhawn  to  Shaw 
Aulum.  To  the  latter  he  had  given 
the  advantageous  government  of  th$ 
three  provinces  of  Bengal,  IjJahar, 
and  <>rifla,  from  whence  he  had 
now  come  with  a  rich  treafure,  an4 
confiderable  army;  and  though  in 
the  late  battle  he  had  performed 
great  fervice,  yet  he  was  fufpe&e£ 
by  his  father,  and  dreaded  as  a*  ri-  ' 
val :  but  to  relate  the  caufes  would 
be  ufelefs  prolixity. 

%  RurTeh  Oofhawn,  the  private 
companion  and  favourite  of  his  fa- 
ther, was  a  prince  of  quick  parted 
a  great  proficient  in  religious  learn- 
ing, a  fine  writer,  and"  of  much 
knowledge  in  the  law,. but  at  the 
fame  time  addicled  to  pleafure,  pan- 
ticularly  fond  of  mufic,  and  the 
pomp  of  courtly  fhew.    He  paid  no 

.  attention  to  public  affairs,  or  evejji 
thofe  of  his  own  houfhold. 

||  JChpjefleh  Akhter  Jehaun  Shaw 
had  the  greateft  fhare  of  all  thfe 
princes  in  the  management  of  a& 
fairs,  before  his  father's  accerlion 
to  the   throne  \  after   which,   th* 

dips  of  the  prophet. 

:  of  the  faith. 

rank. 

\g  of  the  worlds 

whole 


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CHARACTERS. 


whole  adminiftratfon  of  the  empire 
was  long  influenced  by  him.  He 
had  the  clofeft  friendwip  and  con- 
nection withJMonauim  Khan,  who, 
by  his  intereft,  was  appointed  vi- 
zier." 

¥he  following  is  the  account  given  of 
the  behaviour  and  c*ndu&  of  Je- 
haundaur  Shaw,   after  he  became 

Emperor. 

"  BE  it  known  to  thofe  of  en- 
lightened underitandings,  and  to 
the  acquainted  with  the  ufages  of 
the  world,  that  if,  in  the  relation  of 
the  affairs  of  my  liege  and  heredi- 
tary lord,  the  emperor  Moiz  ad 
Dien  Jehaundaur  Shaw,  fome  obfer- 
vations  and  expreflions  mould  efcape 
xtiy  pen,  contrary  to  reipeft,  and 
the  examples  of  tlie  hiftoriographers 
of  princes,  they  will  not  proceed 
from  difafTe&ion  or  a  prejudiced 
mind.  I  know  they  are  improper 
from  the  pen  of  a  fervant,  and  God 
forgive  me !  but  by  them  I  mean 
no  di  faffed  ion  tp  his  perfon,  or  dii- 
refpect  to  the  fomily  of  Timur  5  no 
vent  of  my  own  fpleen  :  no  view 
to  flatter  a  fucceflbr,  by  difparaging 
his  rival,  nor  malicious  abufe  for 
the  neglect  or  disappointment  I  rn^y 
*  have  fuifered  during  this  reign.  I 
fwear  by  God,  and  God  is  a  facred 
witneffer  of  oaths,  that  I  loved  him 
as  my  fovereign ;  but,  as  it  was 
incumbent  on  me  to  record  the  ac- 
tions of  the  reigning  prince;  good 
or  bad,  wife  or  fooliih,  in  public 
and  private,  if  they  were,  without 
one  exception,  all  unworthy,  what 
can  I  fay,  as  a  faithful  writer?  — 


Let  it  be  remembered,  that  I'wai 
nourifhed  for  fifty  years  under  the 
benignant  ihadow  of  the  great  and 
glorious  emperor  Aulumgeer.  How 
fad  the  alteration  I  now  beheld ! 
Of  this  man,  this  wretched  idiot, 
oppolite  to  him  in  every  quality, 
fucceeding  to  the  very  fame  empire, 
fitting  on  the  very  fame  throne,  and 
the  adions  he  did,  what  can  I  fay, 
or  in  what  terms  paint  the  difgraces 
they  fuffered  by  his  acceifion  .*— I 
had  beheld  upon  the  throne  an  em- 
peror. Warmth  of  expreflion  ope- 
rates in  advice  :  the  friends  to  the 
*Imaums,  from -the  ardor  of  their 
loyalty  to  the  houfe  of  Ali,  height-, 
ened  their  ftyle,and  reprefented  with 
all  the  eloquence  of  zeal  (for  which 
they  have  been  ever  praifed  by  good 
men)  that  the  opprerfed  might  draw 
the  fword  againft  a  worthlefs  ty- 
rant. But  I  only  mean  a  warning 
to  the  family  of  Timur ;  for  the 
head  of  which,  let  his,  character 
be  what  it  may,  if  I  hefitate  to 
facrince  my  life,  may  I  be  numbered* 
with  traitors,  and  abhorred  by  my 
friends ! 

When  Jehaundaur  Shaw,*' by  the* 
intrigues  and  fupport  of  the  ameer 
a}  amra  Zoolfeccar  Khan,  had  tri- 
umphed over  his  three  brothers,  and 
afcended  the  throne  of  empire  with- 
out the  fear  or,  dread  of  a  compe- 
titor, all  the  cufioms  of  time  were 
changed.  He  was  in  himfelf  a  weak 
man,  effeminately  careful  of  his 
perfon,  fond  of  eafe,  indolent,  and 
totally  ignorant  of  the  arts  of  go- 
vernment. He  had  alfo  blemiihes 
and  low  vices  unworthy  of  royalty, 
and  unknown  among  his  illullrious 


*  The  two  chief  Imaums  were  the  fons  of  Ali,  by  the  daughter  of  Mahum- 
roud,  and  were  put  to  death  by  the  caliph  Maweeah,  one  by  poifon,  and  the 
other  in  battle,  with  all  their  children  except  one,  from  whom" defcended  the  other 
ten  Imaums,  and  the  race  of  Syeds,  fo  highly  refpt&ed  among  the  Mahumme* 
dans. 

B  4  anceftori. 


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anceftors.  He  made  the  vaft  em- 
pire of  Hindoflan  an  offering  to  the 
foolifli  whims  of  a  public  courtezan, 
which  tortured  the  minds  of  worthy 
iubje&s  loyal  to  his  family.  The 
relations,  friends,  and  minions  of 
the  mittrefs,  ufurped  abfolute  au- 
thority in  the  ftate ;  and  high  of- 
fices, great  titles,  and  unreafonable 
grants  from  the  Imperial  domains, 
Jvere  lhowered'  profufely  on  beg- 
garly muficians.'  *  Two  crores  of 
rupees  annually  were  fettled  for  the 
houfhold  expences  of  the  miftrefs 
tfnly,  exclufive  of  her  cloaths  and 
jewels.  The  emperor  frequently 
rode  witlrher  in  a  chariot  through 
the  markets,  where  they  purchafed, 
agreeabletowhim,fometimes  jewels, 
gold,  filks,  and  fine  linen  ;  at  others, 
greens,  fruits,  and  the  moft  trifling 
articles.    A  woman  .named  +  Zo- 


hera,  keeper  of  a  green-ftall,  one 
of  Lai  Koor's  particular  friends, 
was  promoted  to  a  high  rank,  with 
a  fuitable  jaghire,  and  her  relations 
exalted  to  the  emperor's  favour, 
which  they  ufed  to  promote  the  in- 
terefts  of  the  courtiers,  for  large 
bribes  :  nor  did  the  nobility  de- 
cline their  patronage,  but  forgetting 
their  honour,  and  facrificing  decency 
to  the  prefent  advantage,  eagerly 
flocked  to  pay  adoration  to  the 
royal  idols,  whofe  gates  were  more 
crowded  with  equipages  in  general 
than  thofe  of  the  Imperial  palace, 
fo  that  to  pafs  through  the  ftreet 
where  they  refided  was  a  matter  of 
difficulty,  by  reafon  of  the  throng. 
To  do  them  juftice,  many  of  them 
had  generous  minds,  and  performed 
various  good  a&ions  in  the  ufe  of 
their  influence  at  court.     The  ridi- 


*  About  two  millions  fterling.  > 

ivThe  celebrated  Nizam  al  Mulluk,  who  at  this  time  lived  a  very  retired  life 
at  Dhely,  was  one  day  palling  in  a  pallekee,  with  only  a  few  attendants,  when, 
m  a  narrow  ftreet,  lie  was  met  by  Zohera,  who  was  riding  on  an  elephnnt,  with 
a  great  train  of  fervants.  The  nizam  endeavoured  to  get  out  of  the  way;  but, 
notwithstanding  this,  Zohera's  fervants  were  infolent  to  his  attendants,  and  as  fte 
paflcd  by,  me  exclaimed,  "  Are  you  the  fon  of  the  blind  man  ?"  This  enraged 
the  nizam,  who  commanded  his  people  to  pull  her  from  her  elephant  j  which 
they  did,  with  rudenefs.  She  complained  to  the  miftrefs,  who  prevailed  on  the 
weak  Jehaundaur  to  take  notice  of  it,  and  command  Zoolfeccar  Khan  to  punilh 
the  nizam.  The  nizam  had  fufpefted  this  to  happen,  and  had  informed  the  minifter 
of  the  affoir.  When  Jehaundaur  Shaw  fpoke  to  him,  he  was  anfwered,  that,  to 
pumfli  the  nizam  for  haviftg  corrected  an  infolent  upftart,  would  enrage  all  the 
nobility,  who  would  confider  the  honour  of  the  order  as  hurt  by  any  affront  to  the 
nizam.     Jehaundaur,  upon  this,  did  not  enforce  his  commands. 

Upon  JeTiaundaur  Shaw's  promoting  one  of  his  miftrefs's  relations,  a  mufician, 
to  a  high  rank,  Zoolfecar  Khan,  ameer  al  amra,  out  of  fneer,  demanded  of  the  new- 
Tnade  lord,  as  a  fCe  for  putting  his  leal  of  office  to  the  patent,  one  thoufand  fain1! 
tabors.  The  mufician  complained  to  Lall  Koor,  his  patronefs,  of  the  indignrv 
ottered  him;  and  me  told  the  emperor,  infixing  that  he  lhould  reprimand  the  ameer 
al  amra.  Jehaundaur  Shaw  accordingly  reproached  the  minifter,  who  ironically 
jephed,  that,  as  roufic  was  the  belt  reccommendation  with  his  majefty  for  promo- 
tion, he  had  afked  the  tabcrs  to  deliver  out  to  perfons  of  family,  that  they  might, 
by  pra&ifing  upon  them,  qualify  thtmfelves  for  high  office,  and  fircceed  as  well  as 
their  inferiors,  the  muficians.  Jehaundaur  Shaw  felt  the  force  of  the  fatire,  anJ, 
feeing  afraid  of  his  minifter,  withdrew  the  patent. 

3  fUlQlH 


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CHARACTERS. 


culous  jaunts  of  the  emperor  and 
his  miftreis  at  laft  grew  to  fuch  a 
pitch,  that  on  a  certain  night,  after 
ipending  the  day  in  debauchery,  and 
vifiting  different  gardens  near  the 
city,  In  company  with  Zohera  the 
herb- woman,    they  retired  to  the 
houle  of  one.  of  her  acquaintance 
-who   fold  fpirits,  with  which  they 
all  became  intoxicated.     After  re- 
"warding  the  woman  with,  a  large 
fu on,   and  the  grant  of  a  village, 
they  returned  in  a  drunken  plight 
to    the    palace,   and  all   three  fell 
aileep  on  the  road.    On  their  ar- 
rival, Lall  Koor  was  taken  out  by 
her  'women;    but  the  emperor  re- 
mained deeping  in  the  chariot,  and 
the  driver,  who  had  fhared  in  the 
jollity  of  his  royal  matter,  without 
examining  the  machine,  carried  it 
to  the  Aables.    The  officers  of  the 
palace,  after  waiting  till  near  morn- 
ing for  his  arrival,  on  finding  that 
the  miftrefs  had  entered  her  apart- 
ments without  the  emperor,  were 
alarmed  for  his  fafety,  and  fent  to 
her  to  enquire  concerning  his  litua- 
tion.      She  de fired  them  immedi- 
ately to  examine  the  coach,  where 
they  found  the  wretched  prince  faff 
aileep  in  the  arms  of  Zohera,  at 
the  diftance  of.  nearly   two   miles . 
from  the  palace.    This  fcandalous 
event  afforded  matter  of  offence  to  • 
all  good  lubje&s,  but  of  mirth  and 
laughter    to    the  weak  Jehaunder 
and  his  abandoned  favourites.     He 
after   this  (till   more    expofed    his 
vices  to  the  public,  often,  as  he 
paffed  through  the  ftreets,  feizingp 
the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  lower 
tradefmen.     Once  a  week,  accord- 
ing to  the  vulgar  fuperftition,  he 
fcgUied  with  Lall  Koor,  concealed 


only  by  a  fingle  cloth,  in  the  foun- 
tain of  the  Lamp  of  Dhely*,  in' 
hopes  that  this  ceremony  would  pro- 
mote pregnancy.  Happy  was  the 
day  in  which  he  was  bathed  in  his 
own  blood !  The  miftrefs  had  the 
infolence  to,  abufe  the  princefs 
Zebe  al  Niffa  f,  daughter  of  the 
emperor  Aulumgeer,  and  aunt  to 
Jekaunder  Shaw,  with  expreffiont 
fo  vile  as  were  unbecoming  the 
meaneft  perfon.  This  princel's  had 
negle&ed  to  pay  compliments  to 
her,  which  ihe  received  from  other 
ladies  of  rank,  and  Lall  Koor,  en- 
raged at  this,  teazed  the  emperor 
to  reprove  his  aunt,  and  oblige  hep 
to  ihew  attention  towards  her ;  but 
all  was  vain.  However,  he  fo  far 
complied  with  her  unreasonable  ea- 
treaties,  that  he  left  off  viiiting  the 
princefs,  and  declined  going  to  an 
entertainment  ihe  had  prepared  for 
hirq,  without  inviting  Lall  Koor. 
How  fhall  I  relate  all  his  follies  ? 
Ihe  above-mentioned  are  fufficient 
to  ihew  the  fad  changes  of  affairs, 
public  and  private.  His  other  in* 
decencies  are  too  unworthy  of  re- 
cord to  relate." 


Hiftory  and  CharaSer  of  Lord  Digby . 
by  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  from  the 
Supplement  to  the  third  Volume  of  his 
State  Papers, 

[The  fllvw'mg  Ujflory  and  Account  of 
fo  remarkable  a  Character  as  the 
Lord  Digby,  and  written  by  the 
Earl  of  Clarendon,  is  of  fi  <uerp 
inttrtfting  a  nature ,  as  to  make  it 
impcjfible  for  us,  nofiwithflanding  it% 
length,  to  abridge  or  curtail  any  part. 
of  tt9  withojtt  depriving  onr  Readers 


*  A  celebrate  I  fakeer  fo  entitled, 
t  AnSu^*    Ornament  °f  *&$  ***? 


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10 

of  a  proportionable  quantity  of  Know-, 
ledge  and  Amufement.] 

HE  was  of  a  very  extraordinary 
compofition  by  nature,  and  if 
he  had  not  from  thence  had  fome 
infirmities  very  prevalent  over  him, 
the  advantages  he  had  in  his  educa- 
tion mud  have  rendered  him  a  per- 
fon  of  rare  perfection  ;  and  in  truth, 
a  perfon  of  rare  parts  he  was.  He 
was  born  in  Spain,  in  the  early 
growth  of  his  father's .  greatpefs, 
who  failed  for  many  years  with  a 
full  gale  of  fuccefs,till  he  was  grown 
to  a, great  height  both  in  title  and 
fortune.  In  which  time  his  foil  re- 
ceived all  the  benefits  of  all  forts, 
which  a  liberal  lupport,  and  a  well- 
ordered  education  could  bring  to 
him  -,  and  though  he  made  a  journey 
or  two  into  his  own  country,  yet  his 
whole  breeding  upon  the  matter  was 
in  Spain,  till  he  was  thirteen  years 
of  age  ;  fo  that  that  language  might 
very  well  be  called  his  own,  and  no 
Spaniard  fpoke  it  more  naturally 
than  he  did  ever  after.  When  by 
the  all-difpofing  power  of  the  duke 
of  Buckingham,  his„  father  was  not 
only  removed  from  court,  but  com- 
mitted to  the  Tower,  he  was  fent 

om- 
lich 
hort 
;de- 
)uth 
and 
jood 
Lifed 
►ung 
Mhe 
is/a- 
►ugh 
nrily 
Jhe^ 
as  a 
very 


profperoufly,  and  made  a  great 
voyage  whilft  the  wind  was  with 
him,  and  when  it  raged  againft 
him  in  terrible  ftorms  and  tempefts 
preferved  himfelf  unhurt,  and  rett- 
ed in  greater  fecurity  than  his 
enemies;  and,  it  may  be,  his  re- 
putation and  efteem  was  the  greater 
for  having  no  favourable  afpeet  from 
the  court.  In  this  calm  the  young 
gentleman  was  fent  to  the  univer- 
fity  of  Oxford,  being  excellently 
prepared  by  his  youthful  ftudies.  for 
that  approach  j  and  from  thence, 
after  fome  years  fpent  with  notable 
fuccefs  in  all  kinds  of  learning,  he 
went  into  France;  in  the  language 
whereof  he  was  well  verfed,  and 
had  been  carefully  inftru&ed  ;  and, 
after  fome  time  fpent  there,  in  a 
condition  liberally  fupported  for  any 
virtuous  improvement  of  himfelf,, 
but  not  for  riot  or  impertinence,  he 
returned  again  to  his  country,  and 
his  father's  houfe,  the  molt  accom- 
plilhed  perfon  that  that  nation,  or 
it  may  be,  that  "any  other  at  that 
time  could  prefent  to  the  world,  to 
which  the  beauty,  comelinefs,  and 
graceful  nefs  of  his  perfon  gave  no 
imall  luttre. 

It, was  no  fmall  advantage  to  him* 
that  the  misfortune  of  his  father 
(though  fuch  benefits  are  feldom 
grateful  to  thofe'who  moll  enjoy 
the  fruit  of  them)  made  his  retreat 
and  refidence  in  the  country  abfo- 
lutely  neceflary,  for  he  had  leveral 
temptations  and  inclinations  in  his 
nature,  which,  if  he  had  lived  in 
court,  would  haye  brought  him 
fooner  into  many  difficulties  which 
he  was  afterwards  perplexed  with, 
when  he  was  better  able  to  drug- 
gie with  them  j  and  there  being  no 
footing  for  him  there,  nece fiity  made 
it  his  choice  to  live  in  the  country 
iu  his  fathers  houfe  1  in  which  he 
enjoyed, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHARACTEKS. 


teajoyed,  betides  the  benefit  of  his 
father's  information,  a  very  liberal 
converfation  with  men  of  the  beft 
quality  and  parts  (who  frequently 
reforted  thither,  as  to  a  houfe  where 
they  found-very  good  reception)  and 
leifure  enough  to  intend  his  books, 
in  which  he  took  wonderful  delight, 
;md  made  fo  great  progrefs,  that  he 
was  a  ftranger  to  n6  part  of  learn- 
ing, and  very  fubtle  in  the  mqft  cu-» 
rious  parts  of  philofophy,  and  ex- 
cellently verfed  in  the  Latin  and 
Greek  fathers,  and  thofe  controver- 
sies in  which  their  authority  is  ap- 
plied by  all  the  parties  who  contend. 
And  in  this  time  he  writ  a  difcourfe 
to  his  coufin  Sir  Kenelm  Digby 
againft  the  catholic  religion,  which 
he  would  Bever  afterwards  take 
Upon  him  to  anfwer,  wheu  he  grew 
tQ  have  a  better  opinion  of  it,  or  a 
iv^orfe  of  his  own,  than  he  was  then 
thought  to  have  3  and  left  this  e*er- 
cife  might  make  him  be  thought  too 
grave  and  ferious  for  his  age,  he 
made  it  manifeft  that  he  was  excelr 
lently  verfed  in  all  polite  learning, 
and  in  all  the  poets,  Greek  and  La- 
tin, fo  that  when  a  man  produced  a 
ferioqs  difcpurfe  of  his  of  religion, 
or  the- abftrufer  part  of  philofophy, 
he  found  commonly  in  the  fame, 
company  fomebody,  who  likewife 
produced  a  copy  of  verfes  in  Latin, 
or  Englifh,  or  fpme  facetious  dif- 
courfe by  letter  or  otherwife,  upon 
the  reading  fome  book,  or  lighter 
argument,  writ  by  the  fame  pen. — 
And  in  this  blefled  retreat  he  lived, 
bis  great  abilities  being  communi- 
cated abroad  folicitoufly  enough, 
and  bis  infirmities  unknown,  but  to 
very  few,  and.  as  carefully  concealed 
by  them;  nqr  was  he  heard  of  at 
court  till  a  too  loud,  and  a  furious 
purfuit  of  an  amour,  within  the  very 
«ars  of  Whitehall,  made  him  be 


II 

taken  notice  of,  and  for  which  (after 
he  had^ehaftifed,  rather  than  fought 
with  an  infolent,  but  faint  adverfarjr 
who  was  toovmuch  favoured  there} 
he  was  firft  committed  to  prifon,  and 
afterwards  very  feverely  profecuted, 
with  oircumftances  not  qfual  to 
perfons  of  that  quality;  fo  that 
he  was  forced  again  to  retire  into  the 
country,  with  fo  much  more  acri* 
mohy  towards  the  court,  as  his  own> 
particular  reckoning  added  to  his 
father's  aceomptj  which  increafed 
more  the  flock  of  his  reputation 
with  thofe  who  judged  of  men's 
affections  to  their  country,  by  the 
difTaffection  the  court  had  for  them, 
and  the  reciprocal  efteem  they  had 
for  it. 

When  the  diforders  of  Scotland 
obliged  the  king  to  call  a  parlia-» 
ment,  he  was,  by  the  univerfal 
election  of  the  populous  country 
where  he  lived,  chofen  to  ferve  a* 
one  of  their  knights,  where  his  per- 
fon,  and  his  parts,  and  the  fame  and 
reputation  he  had>  made  him  quick- 
ly taken  notice  of ;  and  the  conver- 
fation he  chofe  and  wedded  himfelf 
to,  amongft  thofe  who  were  refolved 
to  find  fault  with  every  thing  that 
was  amifs,  and  not  to  be  content 
with  any  ordinary  application  of  re-* 
medics, made  it  eaiily  forefeen  what 
counfels  he  meant  to  follow  j  but 
that  ftage  allowed  fo  fhort  a  tirao 
for  action,  that  no  poffible  con- 
clufions  could  he  made.  But  a  few 
months  after,  when  the  difcont.ents 
of  men  were  grown  higher,  and  the 
.  reverence  to  the  government  much 
.  impaired,  he  being  then  returned 
again  by  the  fame  people  to  ferve 
in  the  fame  place,  it  was  quickly* 
difcerned  that  he  meant  to  make 
himlejf  as  confiderable  as  he  could. 
If  any  thing  was  fpoken  againft  the 
government  mpre  bluntly  and  rude* 

fo 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


ia  ANNU  AL   REGISTER,  178& 


ly,  he  took  up  the  argument  and 
polifhed  it,  making  the  edge  more 
ftarp  to  wound  than  it  was  before, 
4reffing  the  general  charge  with 
feme  fmart  inftances,  which  made 
the  enormity  more  fenfible,  and  his 
delivery,  and  manner  of  fpeaking, 
from  fo  lovely  a  perfon,  and  a  very 
lovely  afpect  he  had,  was  lb  grace- 
ftil  (though  not  altogether  without 
affectation)  that  it  wonderfully  re- 
,  conciled  him  to  his  auditors.  When 
any  grievances  in  religion  were 
toucjied  upon,  and  the  government 
ef  the  church  afiaulted  or  reproach- 
ed, no  man  improved  the  difcourfe 
with  more  bitternefs  and  animofity, 
foeaking  of  the  things  he  would  be 
thought  to  value,  gravely,  and,  as  it 
feemed,  with  piety  and  devotion  j 
and  of  the  perfons  againft  whom  he 
.  found  it  grateful  to  inveigh,  wittily 
and  pleafautly,  and  fcornfullys  fo 
that  that  party,  which  had  the  moil 
fnifchievous  intentions  in  religion, 
and  againft  the  church,  believed 
that  they  had  gotten  a  champion  to 
their  own  defire,  who  would  beequaj > 
to  their  ftouteft  adverfary,  even  to 
the  bifhops  themfelves.  The  greateft 
combination  was,  and  which  was 
lead  communicated,  the  defign  a- 
gainft  the  Earl  of  Strafford  j  which 
was  no  fooner  entered  upon,  and 
fbme  fhort  inftances  given  of  his 
^exercife  of  a  very  exorbitant  power 
jn  Ireland,  than  he  entered  into  the 
argument,  made  him  the  chief  au- 
'  thor  of  all  that  was  grievous  in  Eng- 
land, giving  fome  instances  of  words 
and  expreflions  he  had  ufed  in  prU 
yate  converfation,  of  a  very  unpopu- 
lar nature,  which  he  took  upon  him- 
felf  to  prove  ;  which  fotfie  very  cons- 
iderable actors  in  that  tragedy  did 
pf ten  proteft  afterwards  was  the 
principal  inducement  to  their  hafty 
"fefojutjon  of  charging  that  earl  %  with 


high  treafon.  And  from  hence  lie 
grew  into  fo  entire  a  confidence  with 
the  other  cabal,  which  did  not  then 
confift  of  above  {even  or  eight,  that 
he  was  immediately  received  into 
the  bowels  of*  their  defign,  and 
made  one  of  tho(e  who  were  trufted 
to  prepare  inch  a  charge  againft  the 
earl,  that  might  fatisfy  the  reft  that 
they  had  done  well  in  accufing  him; 
and  fo  he  became  quickly  privy  to 
all  their  fecrets,  knew  what  every 
particular  man  thought  he  knew,and 
by  what  means  they  intended  to 
know  more,  what  proofs  they  could 
for  the  prefent  make,  and  how 
they  meant  ta  fupport  and  enlarge 
thofe  truths, -all  their  arts  and  arti- 
fices, which  were  neceflary  to  be 
communicated  amongft  themfelves, 
and  with  thofe  lords  who  were  joined 
with  them,  to  make  their  confpiracy 
more  practicable,  in  a  word,  the 
whole  method  they  propofed  for 
their  proceedings,  and  what  they 
moft  apprehended  might  obftruft 
thofe  proceedings,  was  as  clearly 
ufiderftood'by  him,  as  by  Mr.  Pym 
and  Mr,  Hambden  themfelves.— 
Having  now  got  himfelf  to  the  top 
of  the  pinnacle,  he  began  to  look 
about  him,  and  take  a  full  profpeft 
of  all  that  was  to  be  feen  ;  arid  it  is 
very  pofTible,  that  thedefperate  de- 
figns  of  the  perfons  with  whom  ho 
had  communicated,  not  anfwerable 
to  the  reputation  they  had  of  inte- 
grity to  the  nation,  the  uningenuity 
of  their  proceeding,  and  the  foul 
arts  they  could  give  themfelves  leave 
to  ufe,  to  compafs  any  thing  they 
propofed  ta  do$  as  in  truth  their 
method  was,  firfl  to  confider  what 
was  neceflary  to  be  done  for  fbma 
public  end,  and  which  might  rea* 
fonably  enough  he  wifhed  for  that 
public  end,  and  then  to  make  410 
icruple  of  doing  any  thing  whicij 

might  v 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


C'H  A  R  A  C  T  E  R  S. 


*S 


lO^^t1  probably  bring  the.  other  to 
pals;  let  it  be  of  what  nature   il 
would;  and  never  fo  much  concern 
the  honour  or  intereft  of  any  perfon 
who  they  thought  did  not,  or  would 
not  favour  their  deflgns : .  I  fay,  pof- 
Ably  this  obiervatioh   might  makg 
fome   imprefli6n   upon    him,   who 
without  doubt  had  no  wicked  pur- 
poses himfelf.    Let  what  would  be 
the  caufe  or  the  temptation ',  refolve 
he  did-,  to  fleer  another  courfe,  and 
to  fet  up  for  himfelf  upon  that  flock 
of  commodities,  in  the  getting"  U*- 
gether  whereof  there  were  fo  many 
joint  fharers  with  him ;  and  fo  he 
found  wa^s  eafily  enough  (and  his 
nature  was  raarvelloufly  difpofed  to 
that  dexterity)  to  •  infinuate  to  •  the 
court,  that,  if  they  gave  him  reafons 
for  it,  they  might  depend  upon  his 
fervice,  and.  that  he  would  make  it 
very  ufeful  to  them :  and  theftreights 
they  were %in/ and  the  benefit  they 
might  receive  from  fuch  a  prompt- 
nefs,  ^bringing  him  fuch   a  return 
from  thence  as  he  could  wifh,  he 
look'  the  firft:  occafion    (before  he 
was  fo  much  as  fufpected)  to  give 
his  party  caufe  to  believe,  that  he 
meant  "not  to  venture  himfelf  in  their 
bottom.     As  foon  as  there  was  an 
occafion,  by  the  addrefs  of  a  great 
number  of  minifters  by  way  of  pro* 
pofition,  to  reform  "many  particulars 
both  in  the  doctrine?  and  discipline 
of  the  church,' he  difcovered  his  dif- 
like  of  thofe  defigns,  and  the  fpirit 
that  produced  them,  very  warmly  5 
and  becaufe  it  was  well  known  that 
many  of  thofe  minifters  had  had  fre- 
quent communication  with  him,  and 
even  confulted  that  very  addrefs  by 
his  confent  and  approbation,  he  took 
notice   of  it  himfelf,    and  feemed 
much  offended  that  they  had  infifted 
"upon  many  particulars  whicn  he  had 
^ifajlowed  j  andfo  mentioned  fonje 


particular  expreflkms  that  had  patted 
between  them,  and  which  offended 
more  perfbns  than  had  been  privy 
to  the  conferences,  and  looked  like 
a   difcovery  of   future  projections 
which  were  not  yet  ripe.     In  the 
public  profecution  of  the  earl  of 
Strafford  he  continued  ftill  in  the 
fame  conjunction,  and  kept  his  poft 
amongft  thofe  who  were  to  manage 
the  evidence  againft  him,  but  with 
fuch  a  temper  (which  could  not  be 
reasonably  excepted   againft)    thai: 
manjfefted  enough,  that  he  neither 
brought  the  fpirit,  nor  would  bring 
the  teftimorry  *  they  expected   from 
him  ;>  and  as  foon  as  the  trial  was 
over,  and  it  was  difcerned  that  the 
houfe  of  peers  would  not  take  upon 
them  the  condemning  the  earl,  but 
that  it  would  be  neceSary  to  pais  an 
act  of  parliament  to  that  purpofe, 
the- bill  was  no  fooner  brought  into 
the  houfe  of  commons,  but  he  ap- 
peared moft  violently  againft  it,  dif- 
covered many  particulars  which  had 
paffed  in  their  moft  private  confer- 
ences, which  he  faid  had  firft  per- 
plexed him ;   and   enlarged  fo  pa- 
thetically upon  the  whole  matter, 
and  againft  the  condemning  of  the 
earl,  that  that  whole  party  had  fo 
great  a  deteftation  of  him,  that  they  •. 
had  not  lefs^appetite  to  deftroyhim, 
than   the  earl  of   Strafford.      And 
this  conteft  produced  another  difep- 
very,  that  a  very  important  paper, 
which  had  been  produced  and  pe- 
rufed  in  the  clofe  committee,  and 
upon   which   they   principally  de- 
pended   for    making    good    their 
charge,  had  been  taken  away,  and 
could  never  afterwards  be  found  ; 
and  it  was  confidently  alledged,  that 
at  the  time  when  that  paper  was  laft 
feen;  and  lay  upon  the  table'  in  Mr. 
PynYs  chamber,   there    were   only 
three  perfbns  prefent,  whereof  he 

wag 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


*4        ANNUAL  REGISTER*   iyi6. 


was  one.  This  produced  an  order 
in  the  houfe  that  every  one  of  that 
clofe  committee,  who  were  about 
eight,  mould  make  a  folemn  pro* 
testation  in  the.  houfe,  that  he  nei- 
ther had  that  paper,  nor  knew  what 
became  of  it.  Which  tell  he  cheer- 
fully fubmitted  to,  with  the  moft 
iblemn  and  bitter  execrations  that 
can  be  imagined,  upon  himfelf  and 
his  family,  if  he  knew  what  was  be- 
come of  that  paper.,  or  if  he  had 
ever  taken  it  away ;  notwithstanding 
which,  they  who  were  angry  with 
him  did  not  believe  him,  and  confi- 
dently reported,  that  it  was  found 
afterwards  amongft  fome  papers  of 
his  which  were  taken  in  the  houfe  of 
his  father  in  the  war  j  which  is  not 
probable,  Since  it  may  be  prefumed 
that  a  man  who  had  gotten  it  in 
fuch  a  manner,  would  at  lead,  after 
fuch  an  enquiry  was  made  upon  it, 
have  call  it  into  the  fire*  though 
there  was  not  then  any  fufpicion  that 
fuch  an  a&ion  could  ever  have  pro- 
duced it. 

However  it  was  the  inconveni- 
ence of  that  difcovery,  produced  by 
the  furreption  of  that  paper,  that  it 
produced  many  other  notable  difco- 
vt*ries  with  it,  which  were  all  call 
upon  his  accompt,  who  was  looked 
^ipon  as  a  deferter  at  leaft,  if  not  a 
betrayer  of  his  party "5  and  lb  from 
as  great  an  height  of  applaufe,  and 
even  adoration,  which  he  had  at- 
tained to  by  Chriftmas,  before  Eaf- 
ter  he  was  fallen  to  fo  low  an  etteem 
with  all  ,that  people,  that  they 
thought  no  reproach  equal  to  his 
demerit,  and  profecuted  him  ac- 
~  cordingly  with  their  utmoft  animo- 
iity  and  rage.  The  truth  is,  he  had 
a  wonderful,  and  a  very  extraordi- 
nary facility  throughout  the  whole 
courfe  of  his  life,  fo  arrive  fooner  to 
a  great  pitch  of  efteem  and  being 


beloved,  than  any  man  I  ever  knew! 
and  then  would  make  the  greateft 
hade,  to  fall  from  that  e&raation 
into  a  gulph  of  prejudice  and  de- 
teftation,  which  can  be  imagined; 
which  wrought  the  unufual  effect; 
that  he  had  fcarce  a  notable  enemy 
throughout  his  life,  with  whom  he 
had  not  held  a  very  great  friend- 
ship, or  at  lead  profeft  fuch  an  in* 
clination  to,  which,  in  any  other 
man,  would  have  amounted  to  a 
friendship,  and  he  bore  both  the  ex- 
tremes very  unconcernedly,  imput- 
ing the  firft  to  his  own  virtue,  and 
tranfeendant  parts,  and  his  dexterity 
in  managing  them  5  and  the  latter, 
to  the  unfteadinefs  and  inconftancy 
of  other  men's  humours,  to  their 
envy  and  jealomy  of  his  mailer  fa- 
culties. 

He  was  now  compelled  to  trans- 
plant himfelf  into  the  court,  when 
the  foil  was  neither  fo  fruitful,  nor 
the  air  fo  pleafant  as  it  had  for- 
merly been ;  indeed,  where  a  nip- 
ping froft  had  induced  a  marvellous 
Sterility,  and  in  this  too  his  consti- 
tution was  fo  happy  that  he  found  a 
confolation  for  himfelf,  and  induf- 
triouily  imputed  that  to  his  genero- 
sity and  election,  which  other  men 
thought  to  be  the  effect  of  his  ne- 
cessity, and  that  he  could  grow  no 
where  elfe,  when  he  endeavoured  to 
grow  there.  It  was  a  very  melan- 
choly feafon  there,  where  moft  of 
thofe  who  had  received  the  greateft 
obligations  from  their  mafter,  and 
were  moft  able  to  have  done  him 
fervice,  not  only  forfook  him,  bnt 
betrayed  him  ;  and  in  order  to  get- 
ting credit  with  thofe  who  fupprefled 
all  other  authority,  they  discovered 
all  they  knew  which  might  advance 
the  evil  deflgns  of  the  other,  with 
whom  they  refolved  to  go  thorough 
Sharers  in  all  that  was  to  toe  gotten; 

and 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHA  R'ACTER  S. 


and  the  other  few  who  retained  ftill 
their  fidelity  and  their  zeal,  with 
indignation  enough  to  fee  the  back- 
(Hding  of  their  fellows,  were  yet  fo 
terrified  with  the  power  of  the  other, 
and  with  the  perfidiouuief?  that  they 
faw  every  day  pra&ifed,  infomuch 
as  nothing  was  find  or  done  in  the 
mod  fecret  plaoes  of  the  court,  even 
by  the  king  or  queen  themfelves, 
but  it  was  communicated  to  thofe 
who  had  no  modefty  in  the  con- 
fided ng  it,  but  impudently-declared 
that  they  would  remove  all  perfons 
from  the  king  and  queen,  whofe 
very  looks  were  not  grateful  to 
them,  of  which  they  had  already 
given  many  inftanccs.  So  that  they, 
who,  I  fay,  wanted  not  faith,  were 
yet  without  Ikill  toforefee  what  they 
were  to  do,  and  the  king  himfelf 
found  his  infelicity  to  be  fo  mon- 
urous,  that  he  knew  not  with  whom 
to  advife,  nor  in  truth  whom  to 
truft  ;n  for  they,  who  had  no  mind 
to  betray  him,  were  betrayed  them- 
felves,  and  out  of  their  trufting 
others,  made  them  accefiary  to  the 
betraying  him.  In  this  conjuncture, 
the  vivacity  of  foch  a  perfon  could 
not  but  be  very  acceptable,  who  had 
a  brain  perpetually  working,  and  a 
conception  and  underlianding  deli- 
berating and  refolving  together,  and 
a  courage  fo  keen  and  fearlefs,  that 
he  was  ready  to  execute  the  fame 
minute  whatsoever  was  refolved. 
The  truth  is, 

Si  duos  pneterea  tales  Idaea  tuliffet 

Terra  viros 
God  only  knows  what  might,  or 
might  not  have  refulted  from  his 
bold  temperj  when  the  party,  that 
,-did  all  the  mifchief,  was  made  up 
of  thofe  whofe  defpair  of  being  fafe 
any  where  elfe,  and  belief  that  the 
king  would  yield  to  any  thing  that 
ihould  be  confidently  demanded,  had 


thrown  into  that  Wronger  fide.  He 
could  no  longer  a£t  upon  the  ftage 
where  he  had  fo  long  nourimed,  and 
where  his  mercurial  temper  was  not 
grateful,  even  to  thofe  to  whom  the 
violence  and  ill  defigns  of  the  others  » 
was  vifible,  and  equally  odious  5  fo 
that  he  was  called  up  by  writ  to  the 
houfe  of  peers,  as  fit  to  move  in  that 
fphere,  where  lie  no  fooner  came 
than  he  gave  frcili  life  and  vigour  to 
it,  the  real  temper  of  that  houfe  re- 
taining a  vigorous  affe&ion  to  the 
king,  church,  and  government,  and 
consequently  very  inclined  to  fol- 
low his  example,  and  to  be  fwayed 
by  hisjreafon,  who  always  delivered 
himfelf  with  notable  advantage,  and 
was  now  known  to  be  trailed  by  the 
court,  and  fo  like  to  carry  on  their 
defigns  in  the  method  prefcribed 
there,  and  where  he  was  looked 
upon,  not  as  bkying  deferted  his^ 
principles,  or  his  party,  but  as  a 
prudent  difcoverer  of  their  exorbi- 
tant defigns  contrary  to  the  princi-t 
pies  they  owned,  and  had  fo  retired 
himfelf  from  their  dangerous  con- 
versation and  ioit  their  confidence, 
becaute  he  would  not  part  with  his 
innocence.  And  truly,  if  the  two 
great  activity  and  reftlcfsnefs  of  his 
nature  would  have  given  him  leave 
to  have  fat  ftill,  and  expe&ed,  and 
made  ufe  of  thole  advantages,  which 
the  bally  and  choleric  humour  of  the 
houfe  of  commons  ww»  ready  every 
day  to  prefent  to  them,  and  which 
temper  was  the  utmoft  extent  of 
courage  the  houfe  of  peers  could  be 
carried  to,  which  did  not  yet  lufped 
the  defigns  of  the  worft  men  to  be 
fo  monltrous  as  they  fiiortly  after 
appeared  to  be,  it  is  very  probable, 
the  wifdom  and  temper  of  the  one 
houfe,  with  the  concurrence  it  would 
have  found  from  the  major  part  of 
the  ofcher,  which  was  far  from  be- 
ing; 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


i6 


ANNUAL    REGISTER;   1786. 


ing  corrupted,  would  have  prevent- 
ed thole  calamities,  which,  under 
the  fpecious  authority  of  the  parlia- 
ment, were  afterwards  brought  upon 
the  kingdom.  But  his  nature  was 
impatient  of  fuch  repofe,  and  he  al- 
ways embraced  thofe  counfeis  which 
»  were  boldeft  and  moft  hazardous, 
which  he  thought  would  give  a 
greater  luftre  to  his  wit  and  condu&. 
And  this  unhappy  infirmity  and  va- 
nity made  him  always  referved  to 
thofe  with  whom  he  moft  intimate- 
ly cohfulted,  and  without  whofe 
concurrence  he  pretended  to  refolve 
nothing.  Yet  in  any  determination 
that  was  ever  made  between  them, 
he  always  referved  fome  fuch  im* 
porta  at  particular  to  himfelf,  which 
would  in  truth  have  changed  the* 
whole  council,  and  have  made  them 
all  proteft  againft  that  which  he  re- 
folved  to  have  done,  as  a  matter 
mutually  adjufted  between  them  5 
which  he  did  not  do  out  of  jealoufy 
and  diftruft  of  the  other,  or  a  con- 
tradiction of  their  opinions  and  judg- 
ment, which  he  was  ftill  moft  ready 
to  comply  with,  and  was  upon  any 
debate  the  molt  eafily  periuaded  to 
depart  from  his  own  inclinations  of 
any  man  I  ew  knew  of  fuch  a  ta- 
lent in  underftanding :  but  the  other 
refervation  proceeded  only,  firft, 
from  an  opinion  that  if  he  fhould 
communicate  it,  it  would  find  a  ge- 
neral approbation  (as  he  was  very 
indulgent  |o  himfelf  in  believing 
that  what  appeared  reafon  to  him, 
would  appear  fo  to  every  body  elfe) 
-»  and  then  the  referving  it  would  keep 
>>  fome  what  for  credit  and  reputation 
to  himfelf,  which  was  unthought  of 
by  the  reft;  and  by  this  unlucky 
temper  in  his  nature,  many  defpe- 
rate  inconveniences  fell  out  to  the 
king  and  to  himfelf,  which  would 
have  confounded  any  other  man  in 


himfelf,  as  well  as  with  others.  But 
fuch  accidents  were  fo  far  from  mak- 
ing fuch  impreftion  upon  him,  that 
he  was  the  more  ready  to  embrace 
a  new  enterprize,  when  the  old  mif- 
carried,  and  was  the  only  man  I  ever 
knew  of  fuch  incomparable  parts, 
that  was  never  the  wifer  for  any 
experience  or  misfortune  which  be- 
fell him  5  but  was  as  ready  to  take 
the  fame  meafures,  and  purfue  the^ 
fame  expedients,  often  times  to  em* 
ploy  the  fame  perfons  by  which  that 
milcarriage  and  thofe  misfortunes 
had  befallen  him,  which  proceeded 
from  a  notable  fagacity  and  confi- 
dence in  himfelf,  towards  whom  he 
never  could  entertain  the  leaft  jea- 
loufy. This  inconvenient  prefump- 
tion  was  the  longer  from  being  dif- 
covered  or  taken  notice  of,  except 
by  a  few  of  his  moft  intimate  friends, 
by  the  wonderful  faculty  he  had  of 
diiiimulation,  which  was  fo  profound 
that  he  appeared  the  moft  offended 
and  enraged  when  he  faw  any  thing 
done  that  was  notorioufly  diiliked, 
and  bitterly  inveighed  againft  the 
authors  of  thofe  counfeis  which 
himfelf  alone  had  contrived,  and  to 
the  execution  whereof  no  man  elfe 
was  privy.  So  when  he  had  pre- 
vailed with  the  king,  to  caufe  the  fix 
members  to  be  accufed,  and  had  un- 
dertaken to  caufe  them  to  be  com- 
mitted, when  he  found  in  the  houfe 
of  peers  the  general  difapprpbation 
and  diflike  of  it,  he  ftood  himfelf  up 
and  fp'ake  againft  it,  and  whifpered 
the  lord  Mandeville  in  the  ear,  that 
the  king  would  be  undone  if  he  did 
not  publicly  difcover  thofe  who  had 
given  him  that  counfel,  and  that  he 
would  immediately  go  to  the  court 
and  difpofe  him  to  it ;  when-  he 
alone  was  the  only  man,  who,  with- 
out commnnicating  it  to  any  other, 
had  advifecTthat  profecution,  named 


Digitized  by  VjOOQI(? 


C'H  A  R  A  C  f  E  R  §. 


fell  the  fcfcrfons,  and  pfbriiifeci  the 
king  to*  bring  in  aitople  teftimony 
and  evidence  againft  them  ;  and  all 
this  in  a  feafoh  when  the  king's  af- 
fairs were  in  fagood  a  pQfturei  that 
there  was  no'need  df  fuch  a  defpev 
rate  remedy,  and  when  the  heart  of 
ihe  contrary  party  t^as  fo  near  bn*- 
ken,  that  they  needed  fuch  an  eXr 
pedient  to  keep  up  their  credit  and 
ability,  to  do  further  mifchief.  And 
therefore  many  fober  men  detefted 
that  advice  as  tlie  moft  vlfible  jn- 
bodu4ion  to  all,  t)\e  mifery  that 
afterwards  befel  the  kibg  and  king- 
dom. Yet  his  great  fpirit  ,was.  lb 
far  from  failing,  that  when  he  fa# 
the  whole  city  upon  the  matter  ill 
arms  to  defend  them>  knowing  in 
what  houfe  they  were  together,  he 
offered  the  king,  with  a  felecl:  num- 
ber of  a  dozen  gentlernen^  who,  he 
prefumed  would  fticjc  to  him,  to 
feize  upon  their  perfons,.  dead  or 
'alive,  and  without  doubt  he  would 
have  done  it,  which  rnuft  likewife . 
nave  had  a  wonderful  effect.  But 
that  counfel  being  rejected,  and  find- 
ing^hisrcredit  abated  in  all  places,  he 
tranfported  himfelf  out  of  the  king- 
dom, and  was  Alertly  after,  by  a 
wonderful  retaliation  of  providence, 
and  in  t;be  fame  method  of  contempt -9 
which  he  had  caufed  to  be  pra&ifed 
towards  the  other,  (by  publithing  a 
proclamation  to  reftrain  them  frdm 
going  out  of  the  kingdom,  when  he 
knew  they  were  together  in  London; 
and  environed  with  a  ftrength  and 
power  enough  to  drive  the  king  hiru-  . 
ielf  from  Whitehall,  as  they  fhortiy 
did)  acctifed  of  high  treafon,  upon 
Ihe  moft  flight  and  trivia)  fuggeftions* 
j*nd  a  proclamation  ifiued  out  for 
his  apprehenfion  j  all  which  would 
have  brought  another  man  to  make 
ferlous  rejections  upon  himfelf,  and 
extingaillied  that  inordinate  beat  of 


J7 

brain  and  fancy,  which  had  fo  often 
tranfported  him  to  unreafonable  and 
unprofperqus  refolutions.  But  all 
this,  nothing  allayed  that  flame,,  or 
extinguifhed :  that  fire  in  him,  btit 
as  foon  as  the  war  broke  out,  or 
rather,  as  foon  as  there  was  any  ap- 
pearance of  it,  he  re-tranfported 
himfelf  again  into  England,  raifed  a 
regiment  of  horie,  and  cha-ged  iri 
the  head  hf  it  at  the  battle  df  Edge- 
hill  with  as  much  courage  as  any 
man,  and  afterwards  marched  with 
prince  Rupert  towards  ,the  north  $ 
and  in  the  way,  finding  the  clofeiri 
the  city  of  Litchfield  garrifoned  by 
the  rebels,  and  lecured  by  a  ftrong 
old  wall  and  a  mote,  and  the  ponce 
refolving  to  reduce  ft,  he  caufed  his 
foot  to  ftorni  it,  which  being  beaten 
off>  and  indeed  not  being  fufficient 
In  number  to  make  fuch  a  general 
affault  as  was  necefiary,  the  Qther* 
to  encourage  the  officers  of  the 
hprfe  to  make,  an  attempt  in  ano* 
ther  place,  offered  himfelf  to  go;  at 
the  head  of  them,  and  fo  led  them 
through  the  mote  to  another  part  of 
the  wall  which  was. thought  to  be 
weaker  j  by  means  whereof,  arid  the 
garrifon  within  being  divided  into 
fevefal  quarters,  the  foot  entered 
the  place,  and  made  themielves, 
mafter  of  it  with  great  difficulty, 
and  with  great  lofs,  and  very  many 
of  the  horfe  officers  who  entered  by 
the  mote. were  killed,  and  the  reft 
beaten  off,  himfelf  being  in  the  mud  - 
tp  the  middle,  and  fhot  through  the 
thigh  with  a  mufquet  bullet,  was 
wonderfully  brought  offj  arid  after- 
wards recovered  his  wounds  j  but 
not  finding  that  refpect  from  the 
prince  which  he  had  proniifed  hirn- 
fqlf,  he  gave  up  his  regiment  of 
horfei  and  retired  to  the  court, 
where  he  was  fiire  to  find  g'  4 
countenance; 

G  Enough 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


i8.       ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


'  Though  he  had  thus  dtfcharged 
himfelf  from  any  command  in  the 
army,  he.  was  always  ready  to  en- 
gage himfelf  as  a  volunteer  with  it 
upon  any briik  adventure;  fo  he  was, 
lifter  th«  relief  of  Gloucefter,  ra  the 
jmrfuit  of  the  earl  of  Eflcx's  army, 
and  was  In' the  firft  engagement  at 
Aubourne,  where  he  was  hurt,'  and 
tiad  all  the  powder  of  a  piftol  (hot 
in  his  face,  by  which  it  was  thought 
he  had  loft  both  his  eyes,  the  bullet 
{dropping  or  palling  by  5  and  the 
lord  '  Falkland  being  ■  the  next  day 
killed  at  Newberry,  he  was  fhortly 
'fcfter  made  fecretary  of  ftate,  and 
betook  himfelf  to  the  difcharge  of 
k  with  great  intentnefs  of  mind,  and 
induftry  enough,  and  continued  in 
that  employment  many  years ;  jn  all 
which  time  he  ran  many  adventures, 
and  frequently  found  himfelf  at  a  lofs 
when  he  believed  he  had  attained  his 
point,  and  at  laft' found  the  greateft 
part  of  the  officers  of  the  army  fo  im- 
placably irreconciled  towards  him, 
that  he  was  again  forced  to  retire 
from  his  majelty's  fervice  with  his 
full  approbation  and  confent,  who  in 
truth  could  *  not  but  rind  him  at 
lead  very  unfortunate.  And  by  de- 
grees, writer  feveral  very  i>rifc  at- 
tempts of  feveral  kinds,  in  which 
he  mewed  as  much  refolution  and 
dexterity  as  could  be  expected-  from 
a  man  of  great  wit  and  unqueftion- 
able  courage,  he  was  forced  to 
transport  himfelf  into  Ireland,'  about 
the  time  that  the  prince  of  Wales 
(after  fo  great  fuccefles  of  the  rebels, 
and  the  king's  armies  being  upon 
the  matter  totally  defeated)  by  his 
fViihtf  s  command  to  tranfport  him7 
felf  out  of  England,  took  his  firft 
refuge  in  the  ifle  of  Scilly,  from 
whence  he  might  naturally  fend  to 
and  .receive  intelligence  from  Ire- 
land. 


If  bath  been  obferved  before,  tnat 
the  perfon  of  whom  we  difcorarfe 
had  fo  rare  a  compofition  by  naturfe 
and  by  art,  for  nature  alone  could 
tiever  nave  reached  to  it,  that  he  was 
fo  far  from  ever  being  difmayed  (and 
greater  variety  of  misfortune  never 
befel  any  man)  upon  .any  misfor- 
tune, that  he  quickly  recoRe&ed 
himfelf  fo  vigoroufly,  that  he  did 
really  believe  his  condition*  improv* 
ed  by  that  ill  accident,  and  that  he 
had  an  opportunity  thereby  to  gak» 
a  new  ftock  of  reputation  and  ho- 
nour 5  and  fo,  he  no  fooner  fpnnd 
himfelf  in  Ireland  (when  that  king- 
dom was  in  the  greateft  diffraction 
imaginable  by  the  perfidioufnefs  of 
the  Irilhi  who  having  made  a  peace 
with  the  marquis  of  Ormond,  the 
king's  lieutenant  for  that  kingdom;, 
and  within  a  few  days  renounced 
and  broke; it  again)  but  he  believed 
he  was  upon  a  ftage  where  fte-fhould 
act  wonders,  and  unite  all  the  di-^ 
vided  affections' and  att  the  diftincV 
interefts,  atfd  make  them  all  fubfer- 
vient  to  the  king.  The  quarrel  was 
religion,  which  had  tranfported  both 
parties  to  the  utmoft  outrages  of 
blood  and  animofity,  which  can  re- 
fult  from  that  unhappy  fpring ;  and 
though  the  foberer  part  of  the  na- 
tion did  really  and  corifcientioufly 
defire  to  return  to  their  allegiance; 
and  had  thereupon  prevailed  fo  far 
With  their  general  council, that  they 
had  con  fen  ted  to  a  peace,  as  is  faid 
before,  and  which  was  accordingly 
publifhed  $.  yet  the  malignant  party 
was  fo  much  iliperiof  ancP  prevalent, 
that  within  few  days' they  canceled 
all  that  was  done,  imprifofted  the 
principal  perfons  Who  had  contri* 
buted  to  that  peace,  and  put  the 
mariagery  of  their  whole  affairs  into 
the  hands  of  mea  of  another  temper, 
and  committed  the  whole  nation, 

arid 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


characters; 


t§ 


and  as  much  of  the  kingdom  as 
they  could  difpofe  of,  to  the  entire 
protection  and  difpofal  of  the  pope, 
in  the  perfon  of  his  nuncio,  Riniic- 
cini,  whom  he  had  lately  fent  thither, 
with  a  very  large  fupply  of  arms 
and  ammunition,  to  interrupt  their, 
fubmiffion  to  the  king.  He  was  a 
man  of  a  haughty  ana  phantaftical 
humour  and  nature,  with  a  perplex- 
ed underftanding ;  all  his  faculties 
being  difpofed  principally  to  make 
eafy  things  hard,  and  to  create  in- 
tricacies out  of  the  moft  clear  and 
manifeft  confutations.'  This  was 
the  condition  and  pofture  that  Ire- 
land was  in  when  this  gentleman 
arrived  there,  the  whole  kingdom 
being  fo  near  reduced  to  the  obe- 
dience of  the  nuncio,  that  he  feemed 
to  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  fhut 
up  the.  lord  lieutenant  in  Dublin, 
till  he  could  by  a  clofer  liege  like- 
wife  fubdue  that  capital  city,  and 
in  order  thereunto  he  was  drawing 
together  an  army  from  all  the  quar- 
ters of  the  kingdom.  This  was  now 
a  fcene  fit  for  the  other's  a6tivity, 
and  being  received  very  kindly  by 
the  lord  lieutenant,  out  of  refpect  to 
his  perfon,  and  the  character  he  had 
under  the  king,  he  quickly  took 
upon  him  to  fay  any  thing  in  the 
king's  name,  which  the  lord  lieute- 
nant believed  (for  he  was  fleered  by 
him)  might  contribute  to  his  majef- 
ty's  fervice  in  a  time  of  fo  great jea- 
loufy.  About  the  fame  time  an  ex- 
prefs  arrived  from  Scilly,  who  was 
fent  thence  to  the  lord  lieutenant 
from  the  prince  of  Wales,  to  inform 
his  lordfhip  that  his  highnefs  was 
newly  retired  to  that  ifland,  where 
he  meant  to  refide  as  long  as  he  ihould 
'find  it  convenient  5  and  becaufe  the 
ifland  was  poor,  and  unfurnifhed 
with  men,  his  highnefs  wifhed  that 
t&  might  have  a  hundred  men  fent 


him,  with  good  officers  for  a  guard  to 
his  perfon ;  having  fent  at  the  fame 
time  to  his  royal  mother  the  queen, 
who  was  then  at  Paris,  to  procure 
him  money  from  thence  for  the  fgp- 
port  of  his  perfon  and  the  payment 
of  the.foldiers.    This  ne^ws  came  no 
fooner  to  Dublin,   but  the  perfba 
we  mentioned  prefently  conceived 
that  the  prince's  prefence  in  Ireland 
would  fettle  and  compofe  all  the 
factions  there,  reduce  the  kingdom 
to  his  majefty's  fervice,  and  oblige 
the  pope's  nuncio,  who  was  an  ene- 
my  to  the  peace,  to  quit  his  ambiti- 
ous defigns.  The  lord  lieutenant  had 
fo  good  an  opinion  of  that  expedient, 
that  he  could  have  been  very  well 
contented,  that,  when  his  highnefs 
had  been  forced  to  leave  England,  ha 
had  rather  chofen  to  have  made  Ire- 
land than  Scilly  his  retreat  5  but  being 
a  wife  man,  and  having  many  diffi- 
culties before  him  in  view,  and  the 
apprehenfion  of  many  contingencies 
which  might  increafe  thofe  difficul- 
ties, he  would  not  take  upon  him  to 
give  advice  in  a  point  of  fo  great 
importance  5  but  forthwith,  having 
a  couple  of  frigates  ready,  he  caufed 
a  hundred  men  with  their  officers  to 
be  prefently  put  on  board,  according 
to  his  highnefs's  defire,  and  the  lord 
Digby  (who  always  concluded  that  , 
that  was  fit  to  be  done,  which  his  firft 
thoughts  fuggefted  to  him,  and  never 
doubted  the  execution,  of  any  thing 
which  he  once  thought  fit  to  be  at- 
tempted) put  himfelf  on  board  thefe 
veflels,    refolving    that   upon    the 
ftpength  of  his  own  reafon  he  fhould 
be  able  to  perfuade  the  prince,  and. 
the  council   which  attended  him, 
forthwith  to  quit  Scilly  and  to  repair 
to  Dublin  5  which  he  did  not  doubt 
might  he  brought  to  pafs  in  that  way 
that  would  have  been  grateful  to  the 
lord  lieutenant.    'The  prince  withia 

C    a  a  fort- 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


to  ANNUAL   RECfSTER,  178^ 


t  fortnight  after  his  corning  to  Scil- 
ly,  which  was  in  March,  found  the 
place  not  fo  llrong  as  he  had  under- 
stood it  to  be,  that  the  ifland  was 
very  poor,  and  that  he  mould  not 
\>$  able  to  draw  any  provifions  thi- 
ther from  Cornwall,  by  which  com- 
merce thofe  iflands  had  flill  been 
fupported,  he  refolved  therefore,  ber 
fore  the  year  advanced  further,  when, 
the  feas  were  like  to  be  more  iufeft- 
cd  with  the  enemy's  mips,  to  tranf- 
port  himfelf  to  Jerfey,  which  he  did 
very  happily,  and  found  it  to  be  a 
place  in  all  refpe&s  very  fit  to  re- 
6de  in,  till  he  might  better  under- 
hand the  prefent  condition  of  Eng- 
land, and  receive  fome  pofitive 
advice- from  the  king  hi?  father. — 
But  by  this  fudden  remove  of  the 
prince  from  Scilly,  the  two  frigates 
from  Dublin  miffed  finding  him 
there,  and  the  lord",  whole  order 
they  were  obliged  to  obferve,  rtfade 
#11  the  hafte  he  could  to  Jerfey, 
where  he  arrived  well,  and  found 
the  prince  there  with  many  other  of 
his  friends  who  attended  his  high- 
ly efs*  the  two  lords  being  gone  but 
the  day  before  to  attend  the  queen. 
He  loft  no  time  in  informing  his 
'  highnefs  of  the  happy  ftate  and  con- 
dition or!  Ireland,  that  the  peace  was 
concluded,  and  an  army  of  twelve 
thoufarid  men  ready  to  be  tranfport- 
ed  into  England,  of  the  great  zeal 
and  afteefcion  the  lord  lieutenant 
liad  for  his  lervice  5  and  that  if  his 
highnefs  would  repair  thither  he 
ihould  6ud  the  whole  J^ingdom  de- 
voted to  his  fervieej  and  there- 
upon ppfitivelyadvifed  him,  without 
further  deliberation,  to  put  himfelf 
aboard  thofe  frigates,  which  were 
excellent  failers,  and  fit  for  his  fe- 
"cure  tranfportation.  The  prince 
told  him  that  it  was  -a  matter  of 
greater  importance  than  was  fit  to 


be  .executed  upon  fo  fhort  delibaral* 
tion  i  that  he  no  fooner  arrived  ai 
Jerfey  than  he  received  letters  from 
the  queen  his  mother,  requiring  him 
forthwith  to  come  to  Paris  where  alt 
things  were  provided  for  his  recep- 
tion) that  he  had  fent  two  of  the 
lords  of  the  council  to  tfce  queen,  to 
excufe  him  for  not  giving  ready  obe- 
dience (o  her  commands,  and  to  af- 
fure  her  that  he  was  in  a  place  of 
unquefiionable  fecurity,  in  which  ha 
might  fafely  expect,  to  hear  from 
the  king  his  father  before  he  took 
any  other  refolutioii.  That  it  would 
be  very  incongruous  now  to  remove 
from  thence,  and  to  go  into  Ire- 
land before  his  meiTengers  returned 
from  Paris,  in  which  time  he  might 
rea  fonably  nope  to  hear  from  the  king 
nimfelf,  and  fo  wifhed-  him  to  have 
patience  till  the  matter  was  more 
ripe  for  a  determination-.  This  "rea- 
sonable anfwer  gave  nim  no  fatisfacf 
tion  ;  he  commended  the  prince'* 
averlenefs  from  going  into  France* 
which  he  faid  was  the  mod  pernici- 
ous counfel  that  ever  Could  be  given, 
that  ft  was  a  thing  the  king  his 
father  abhorred,  and  never  could 
confent  to ;  and  that  he  would  take 
upon  himfelf  to  write  to  the  queen, 
and  to  give  hsr  fuch  folid  advice 
and  reafons  thrtt  ihoutd  infallibly 
convert  her  from  that  defire,  and 
that  ihould  abundantly  latisfy  her 
that  his  going  into  Ireland  was  ab- 
folutely  neceifary ;  but  that  a  little 
delay  in  the  execution  of  it  might 
deprive  them  of  all  the  fruit  whicli 
was  to  be  expected  from  that  jour- 
ney, and  therefore  renewed  his  ad> 
vice  and  importunity  for  lofing  no 
more  time,  but  immediately  to  em* 
bark.  Which  when  he  faw  was  not 
like  to  prevail  with  his  highnefe, 
he  immediately  repaired  to  one  of 
thofe  of  the  privy  council  who  at- 
tended 


-   Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


CHARACTERS/ 


21 


tended  the  prince,  'with  whom  he 
}iad  a  particular  friendihip,  and  la- 
mented to  him  the  lofs  of  fuch  an 
cccafion,  which  would  inevitably 
reftore  the  king,  who  would  be 
equally  ruined  if  the  prince  went 
into  France,  of  which  he  fpake  with 
all  the  detection  imaginable,  and 
faid,  he  was  fo  far  fatisfied  in  his 
conscience  of  jthe  benefit  that  would 
redound  from  the  one,  and  the  ruin, 
which  would  inevitably  fall  out  by 
the  other,  that  he  faid,  if  the  per*- 
fon  with  whom  he  held  this  confeiv 
cnce  would  concur  wjth  him,  he 
would  carry  the  prince  into  Ireland 
veven  without,  and  againft  l^is  con- 
sent. The  other  perfon  anfwered 
that  it  was  not  to  be  attempted 
without  his  confent,  nor  could  he 
imagine  it  poffible  to  bring  it  to  pafs 
if  they  fliould  both  endeavour  it  $ 
he  replied,  that  he  would  invite  vthe 
prince  on  board  jthe  frigates,  to  a 
collation,  and  that  he  knew  well  he 
could  fo  commend  the  yeifels  to 
liim,  that  his  own  curiofity  would 
eafilv  invite  him  to  a  view  of  them, 
and  that  as  ibon  as  he  was  on  board, 
Jie  would  caufe  the  fails  to  be  hoifted 
up,  and  make  no  ftay  tilL  he  came 
into  Ireland.  The  other  was  verV 
angry  with  him  for  entertaining  fuch 
imaginations,  and  told  him  they 
neither  agreed  wiih  his  wifdom  nor 

.  liis  duty,  and  left  him  ip  defpair  of 
his  conjun&ion,  and  at  the  fame 
^lime  of  being  able  to  com  pafs  -it. 
He  had  no  fooner  difcharged  himr 
felf  of  this  imagination,  but  in  the 
inftant  (as  he  had  a  moft  pregnant 
fancy)  he  entertained  another  witfc 
the  fame  vigour,  an$  refoived  with 
all  poliible  expedition  to  find  ljim- 
ftlf  at  Paris,  not  making  thtf  Jeaft 
queftion  but  that  he  ihould  convert 
f  he  queen  from  any  further  thought 
$f  fending  for  the  prince  into  France, 


and  as  eafily  obtain  her  confent  and 
approbation  for  his  repairing  into 
Ireland;  and  he  made  as  little 
doubt,  with  the  queen's  help,  and 
by  his  own  dexterity,  to  prevail  with 
Prance  to  fend  a  good  fupply  of 
money  by  him  into  Ireland,  by 
which  he  ihould  acquire  a  mod  uni- 
versal reputation,  and  be  the  moft 
welcome  man  alive  to  the  lord  lieu-4  / 
tenant  i  and  tranfported  with  this 
happy  auguration  he  left  Jerfey, 
leaving  at  the  fame  time  his  two.  ' 
fhips  and  his  foldiers,  and  half  ft 
dozen  gentlemen  of  quality,  who, 
upon  his  defire  and  many  promifes, 
had  kept  him  company  from  Ire* 
land,  without  one  penny  of  money 
to  fubflft  upon  during  his  ab* 
fence. 

As  foon  as  he  came  to  Paris  and 
hadfeen  the  queen,  whom' he  found 
very  well  inclined  to  do  all  ihe 
could  for  the  relief  of  Ireland,  but 
refolute  to  havfr  tlie  prince  her  fon 
immediately  with  her,  notwithftand- 
iftg  all  the  reafons  pretied  a'gainft  it 
by  the  16rd$  of  the  kjng's  council 
Who  had  been  fent  from  Jerfey,  he 
attended  the  cardinal,  whofuhder- 
ftood  hirn  very  well  and  knew  his 
foible.  He  received  him  whh  all 
the  ceremopy  and  demonftration  of 
refped  he  could  poffibly  exprefs, 
entered  upon  the  difcourfe  of  Eng- 
land, and  celebrated  the  part  which 
he  had  afted  upon  that  ttagc  in  fo 
many  actions  of  courage  and  faga- 
jcity,  of  the  highefl  prudence  and  cir- 
cumfpe&ion,  with  an  indefatigable 
indnftry  and  fidelity  -,  he  told  him 
that  Prance  found  too  late  their  own 
error,  that  they  had  been  well  con- 
tent tp  fee  the  "King's  great  puiffance 
weakened  by  his  domeltic  troubles, 
which  they  wHhed  only  ihould  keep 
him  from  being  able  to  hurt  his 
neighbours,  but  that  they  never  had 

C  .3  4cfc«* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


*»         ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


defired  to  fee  hira  at  the  mercy  of 
his  own  rebels,  which  they  faw  now 
was  like  to  be  the  cafe,  and  they 
were  therefore  refolved  to  wed  his 
intereft  in  fuch  a  way  and  manner 
as  the  queen  of  England  fhould  de- 
fire,  in  which  he  well  knew  how 
much   her  majefty  would    depend 
upon  his  counfel.     He  fajd  it  was 
abfolutely  neceifary,  fince  the  crown 
of  France,  refolved  to  wed  the  king's 
intereft,.  that   the   perfon    of   the 
prince  of  Wales  mould  refide  in 
France  3    that  the  method  he  had 
thought  of  proceeding  iu  was,  that 
the  queen  of  England  fhould  make 
choice  of  fuqh  a  perfon  whom  ihe 
thought  beftafFe&ed,  and  beft  qita- 
Jified    for    fuch    an    employment, 
whom  the  king  would  immediately 
fend  as  his  extraordinary  ambaffador . 
to  the  king  and  to  the  parliament  $ 
,   that  he  ihould  govern  himfelf  wholly 
r       by  fuch  inftru&ions  as  the  queen 
Should  give  him,  which  he  knew 
-would  be  his  work  to  prepare  ;  that 
all  things  ihould  be  made  ready  as 
foon  as  the  queen  would  nominate 
the  ambaffador  j  and  that  upon  the 
arrival  of  the  prince  of  Wales  in  any 
part  of  France,  as  foon  as  notice 
ihould  be  fent  to  the  court  of  it,  for 
which   due  preparation   ihould  be 
aflador  ihould  be  in 
ler    difpatched    for 
one  only  inftru&ion 
lich  ihould  be,  That 
id  a  fpeedy  anfwer 
nent,  whether  they 
le  demands  he  had 
-they  ihould  refufe 
I  forthwith  in   the 
's   pame   declare  a 
n,  and  immediately 
m  and  return  home, 
ihould  be',  quickly 
;ady  as.- was  worthy 
f  Wales  to  venture 


his  own  perfon  in,  and  that  He 
fhould  have  the  honour  to  redeem 
and  reftore  his  father.  This  dif- 
courfe  ended,  he  wanted  not  lan- 
guage to  extol  the  generofity  and 
the  magnanimity  of  the  refolution, 
and  to  pay  the  cardinal  all  his  com- 
pliment* in  his  own  coin,  and  from 
thence  to  enter  upon  the  condition 
of  Ireland,  in  which  the  cardinal 
prefently  interrupted  -him,  and  told 
him  be  knew  well  he  was  come 
from  thence,  and  meant  to  return 
thither,  and  likewife  the  carriage 
of  the  nuncio  5  trjat  the  marquis  of 
Ormond  was  too  brave  a  gentle- 
man, and  had  merited  too  much  of 
his  mailer,  to  be  deferted,  and  France 
was  refolved  not  to  do  its  bufinefs 
by  halves,  but  to  give  the  king's 
affairs  an  entire  relief  in  all  places, 
that  he  ihould  carry  a  good  fupply 
of  money  with  him  into  Ireland, 
and  -  that  arms  and  ammunition 
ihould  be  fpeedily  fent  after  him, 
and  fuch  direction  to  their  agent 
there  as  ihould  draw  off  all  the  Irifh 
from  the  nuncio,  who  had  not  en- 
tirely given  themfelves  up  to  the 
Spaniih  intereft. 

The  noble  perfon  had  that  which 
he  raoft  defired,  he  was  prefently 
converted,  and  undertook  to  the 
queen  that  he  would  prefently  con- 
vert all  at  Jerfey,  and  that  the 
prince  fhoiild  obey  all  her  com- 
mands, and  entered  into  confuta- 
tion with  her  upon  the  election  of 
an  ambaffador,  and  what  inftruc- 
tions  ihould  be  prepared  for  him, 
which  he  took  upon  himfejf  to  pre- 
pare. Monfieur  Bellievre  was  named 
by  the  queen,  whom  the  cardinal 
had  defignedfor  that  office;  the  car- 
dinal approved  the  inftru&ions,  and 
caufed  fix  thoufand  piftoles  to  be 
paid  to  him  who  was  to  go  to  Ire- 
land :  and  though  it  was  a  much 
■      -  .  "  left 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHARACTERS. 


*3 


led  fum  tbap  he  had  promifed  him- 
felf,  from  the  magnificent  expref- 
fions  the  car4inal  had  ufed  to  him, 
yet  it  provided  well  for  his  own 
occafions,  So  he  left  the  queen 
with  his  ufual  profeflions  and  con- 
fidence, and  accompanied  thofe  lords 
to  Jerfey,  who  were  to  attend  upon 
his  highnefs  with  her  majefty's  or- 
ders for  the,  prince's  repair  into 
Prance,  for  the  advancement  where- 

.  of  the  cardinal  was  fo  folicitous,  that 
he  writ  a  letter  to  the  old  prince  of 
Conde,  which  he  knew  he  would 
forthwith  fend  to  the  queen,  as  he 
did  5  in  which  he  faid  that  he  had 
received  very  certain  advertifernent 
out  of.  England,  that  there  were 
fome  perfons  about  the  prince  of* 
Wales  in  Jerfay,  who  had  under- 
taken to  deliver  his  highnefs  up 
into,  the  hands  of  the  parliament 
for  twenty  thbufand  piftoles,  and 
this  letter  was  forthwith  fent  by 
the  queen  to  overtake  the  lords, 
that  it  might  be  fhewed  to  the 
prince/  and  that  they  who  attended 
upon  him  might  difcern,  what  woujd 
be  thought  of  them,  if  they  dif- 
fuaded  his  highnefs  from  giving  a 
prefent  obedience  to  his  mother's 

-  commands.  As  foon  as  they  came 
to  Jerfey,  he  ufed  all  the  means 
he  could  to  perfuade  his  friend  to 
concur  in  his  advice  for  the  prince's 
immediate  repair  into  Fiance  $  he 
told  him  of  all  that  had  parTed 
between  the  cardinal  and  him,  not 
leaving  out  any  of  the  expreffions 
of  the  High  value  his  eminence  baa 
i>f  his  particular  perfon  j  that  an 
ambaflador  was  chbfen  by  his  ad-  . 
vice,  and  his  inftructions  drawn 
by  him,  from  no  part  of  which 
the  ambaflador  durft  fwerve,  and, 
which  is  very  wonderful,  he  did 
really  believe  for  that  time,;  that  he 
bad  both  nominated  the  ambafla- 


dor,  and  that  his  inftru&ioris  would 
be  exa&ly  obferved  by  him  (fo  great 
a  power  he  had  always  over  him- 
felf,  that  he  could  believe  any  thing; 
which  was  grateful  to  him) ;  that 
a  war  'would  be  prefently  pro- 
claimed- upon  their  refufal'  to  do* 
what  the  ambaffador  required  5  and* 
that  there  wanted  notning  to  the- 
expediting  this  great  affair  but  the 
prince's  immediate-  repairing  into' 
France  without  further  delay,  there' 
being  no  other  quellion  concerning' 
that  matter,  than  whether  his  high- 
nefs fhould  flay  in  Jerfey,  where* 
there  could  be  no  queftion  or*  his 
fecurrty,  until  he  could  receive  cx- 
prefs  direction  from  the  king  his 
father  j  and  therefore  he  conjured* 
his  friend  to  concur  in  that  advice, 
which  would  be  very  grateful  to  the 
queen,  and  be  attended  with  much 
benefit  to  himfelf ;  telling  him  how 
kind  her  majefty  was  to  Jiim,  and; 
how  confident  ine  was  of  his  fervice,  • 
and  that  if  he  mould  be  of  another  . 
opinion,  it  would  not  ^hinder  the 
prince  from  gbjng,  who  he  knew  wad 
refolved  to  obey  his  mother  j  and  fo 
concluded  his  difcourfe  with  thofe* 
arguments'  wnich  he  thought  were; 
like  to  make  mofl  imprefiion  in\ 
him,  and  gavehim  the  ihftruciions 
by  which'  the  ambaffaclor  was  to  be 
guided.  ,His  friend,  who  iV  truth 
loved' him  very  heartily;  though  no. 
man  better  knew  his  infirmitie^s,  told 
him,  whatever  jthe  prince  wbulcf 
be  difpofed  to  do,  he  could  not 
change  his  opinion  in  point  of  coun- 
fel,  until  the  king's  pleafure  migh^ 
be  known ;  he  put  tym  in  mind  how 
he  had  been  hefore  deceived  at  Oxr 
ford  by  the  corppte  de  Harcourt, 
who  was  an  ambaifadorlikewife,  as 
was  then  thought,  named  by  our- 
felves,  and  whofeinftrii&ionshe  had 
likewife  drawn^  and  yei  he  could 
C  4      "     .  r  *  **  'fief 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


*4         ANNUAL   REGISTER,"  1786. 


not  but  well  rernember  how  foully 
that  budnefs  had  been  managed, 
and  how  difobiig'mgly  himfelf  had 
been  treated  by  that  arabaflador$ 

,  and  therefore  he  could  not  but  won«f 
<ier  that  the  fame  artifices  fhould 
again  prevail  with  him,  and  that  he. 
could  imagine  that  the  inftru&ipns 
jie  had  drawn  would  be  at  all  con- 
sidered or  purfued,  further  than  they 
might  contribute  to  what  the  car- 
dinal for  the  prefent  defigned ;  of 
the,  integrity  whereof  they  had  no, 
evidence,  but  had  reafon  enough  to 
fufpect.  And  fo  neither's  perfua lions 
working  upon  the  other,  the  prince 
Shortly  removed  into  France,  and 
he  purfued  his  journey  for  Ireland 
with  as  much  of  the  French  money 
as  was  left,  whereof  the  lord  lieu- 

.  tenant  never  received  one  thoufand 
piiloles  towards  the  fupport  of  his 

*  majefty's  affairs. 

When  he  landed  in  Ireland,  he 
(bond  the  whole  treaty  of  peace  dif- 
avowed  and  made  void  by  the  Irifh, 
under  the  command  of  the  nuncio, 
who  was  declared  both  general  at 
land  and  admiral  at  feaof  that  king- 
dom. Here-  was  a  new  field  for 
action,  which  this  perfon  prefently 
entered  into,  made  a  journey  upon 
very  Httle  encouragement  or  fecunty 
in  his  own  perion  to  the  nuncio, 
was  received  arid  entertained  by  him 
very  rudely,  till  he  found  it  necef- 
iary1,  with  great  difficulty,  to  make 
what  hafte  he  could  again  to  Dublin, 
where  he  continued  to  have  many 
imaginations  of  uniting  parties,  and 
dividing  the  Irifh  amongft  them- 
selves, 'until  he  plainly,  difcerned 
that  there  was  no  way  left  to  pre- 
ferve  that  kingdom  from  being"  ir- 
recoverably loft  to  the  crown,  but 
by  putting  it  into  the  hands  of  the 
parliament,  which  ftill  made  pro- 
fcffion  6f  aU<luty  to  thekingj  and 


when  {hat  was  unvojdab|y  to  ba 
done,  and  the  commiflioners  from; 
the  parliament  arrived  to  receive  it^ 
he  found  means  again  to  tranfport 
himfelf  into  France,  where  he  im- 
mediately found  himfelf  engaged  in, 
feveral  quarrels  upon  the  account  of 
what  had  formerly  parted  in  England, 
which  without  any  kin4  of  fcruplc 
he  appeared  ready  to  anfwer  witl* 
his  fword  in  his  hand,  his  courage 
having  always  faithfully  feconded 
him  in  all  his  defigns.  When  thefe. 
contefts  were  over,  be  repaired  again, 
to  his  new  friend  the  cardinal,  whq  , 
-received  him  not  w^th  the  eftecm 
he  formerly  had  done,  and  only  as 
a  man  who  had  propofed  to  himfelf 
to  live  upon  them  5  yet  he  gave 
him  very  good  word£,  promifecT  him 
fome  command  in  the  army",  he'* 
propofing  to  himfelf  no  other  courfe, 
of  life*  for  his  fubiiftence  and  pre- 
ferment, than  iri  the  war ;  and 
in  the  mean  time  gave  him  a, 
very  mean  fupply  for  his  prefent 
fubfiftence,  nor  did  be  find  any  bet- 
ter reception  from  thofe  of  whom 
he  expected  to  be  admitted  as  a  ful^ 
fharer  in  all  they  enjoyed.  This) 
mortification  would  have  broken  any 
other  man's  fpirits,  but  it  gave  him 
only  fome  fits  of  indignation,  with-- 
out  working  in  the  leaft  degree  upon 
the  vigour,  of  his  mind,  refblving 
to  take  the  firft  opportunity  to  make, 
fcimfelf  to  be  more  confidered,  an4 
an  opportunity  fhortly  offered  itfelf, 
which  could  have  hardly  been  pro-' 
pitious  to  any  man  born  under  ano- 
ther conftell  a  tioii. 

The  disorders  of  Paris  had  forced 
the  king  to  retire  from  thence  to. 
St.  Germain's,  and  ajl  overtures  Uh 
wards  accommodation  being  hope* 
lefs,  *  forces  were  v  raifed  on,  both\ 
fides,  fome  of  the  princes  of  the 
blood  being  in  the  head  oftfibfe'ra 

'  Paris,. 


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G  H  A  R  A  C  T  E  R  S. 


n 


^ris,  and  others  with  the  king  5 
and  when  both  armies  were- one  day  x 
drawn  up  at  a  fmall  diftance  from 
$ach  other,  th$  perfon  we  are  dif- 
courfing  of,  having  with  fome  dif- 
ficulty procured  a  horfe,  had  put 
iimfelf  as  a  volunteer  into  the 
king's  troops,'  and  a  perfon  of  the 
pther  fide  coming  out  fingle  out  of 
{he  troops  in  a  bravado  to  change  a 

5)iftol  (as  tl*e  phrafe  is)  with  any 
ingle  man  who  fhould  be  willing  to 
Encounter  him,  he,  without  fpeak- 
ing  to  any  bo^y,  moved  his  horfe 
yery  Ieifurejy  towards  him,  the' 
other  feeming  to  ftand  ftill  and  ex- 
yed  him,  but  he  did  in  truth  dex- 
teroufly  retire  fo  near  his  own  troops, 
that  before  the  time  he  could  come 
|o  charge  him,  the  whole  front  of 
that  fquadron  difcha/rged  all  their 
carbines  upon  him,  whiftl  the  other 
retired  into  his  place.  By  this  dif- 
fconourable  proceeding,  he  received 
a,  fhot  iv\  the  th jgh  with  a  brace  of 
Juliets,  anfl  keeping  dill  his  horfe, 
needed  no  excufe  for  making  what 
feafte  he  could  back,  wjien  he  G011I4 
no  longer  fit  his,  horfe.  This  action 
being  performed  fo  gallantly  in  the 
view  of  the  king,  the  cardinal 
$nd  the  prince  of  Conde,  all  men. 
enquired  who  the  gentleman  was, 
and  very  few  knew  more  than  that 
he  was,  an  £n,g]ifhman ;  but  his 
name  was  quickly  kno.wn  and  pub- 
lifhed,  and  dirq&ion  given  for  his, 
accommodation  and  recovery,  in 
filch  a  manner,  as  expreffed  that  the 
fcing  thought  himfelf  concerned 
that  he  fhould  want  nothing,  and 
irom  this  a&ion  and  accident  he, 
made  another  glorious  flight  into 
the!  world,  for  he  was  no  i'ooner  re- 
covered of  his  wounds,  and  went  to 
make  his  acknowledgment  to  thj5 
ting  and  the  cardinal,  but  he 
{ouiid   the  cardinal's  countenance 


very  ferene  towards  him,  and  him* 
felt  quickly  pofiefled  of  an  honour-; 
able  command  of  horfe,  with  fucl| 
liberal  appointments  as  xnade  hi$ 
condition  very  eafy,  the  cardinal 
taking  all  occafions  to  do  him  ho- 
nour, and  he  very  well  knowing 
how  to  cultivate  thofe  inclinations. 

I^hehad  been  born  to  be  happy, 
or  had  had  a  temper  to  have  v  re- 
ceived the  approaches  of  good  for-» 
tune,  when  fhe  rnade  moft  ha'fte  'to- 
wards him,  no  ma.^  had  ever  pre-* 
pared  fuch  an  afcent  to  himfelf  to 
any  height  he  could  propofe^  he 
was  the  djfcourfeof  the  whole  court, 
and  ha4  drawn  the  eyes  of  all  men 
upon  him;  his. quality,  his  educa- 
tion, die  handfomenefs  of  his  per*- 
fon,  and  even  the  beauty  of  his, 
countenance  (being  not  at  that  time 
above  thirty  years  of  age,  an4 
looking  much  younger)  his  alacrity 
and  fiercenefs  in  action  againft  the; 
enemy,  his  foftnefs'  and  eivijity  ia 
all  kind  of  cpjiverfations,  his  pro- 
found knowledge  in  all  kind  of 
learning,  and  in  all  languages,*  ia 
wjiich  he  enlarged  or  retrained  him- 
felf, as  he  law  opportunity,  niade 
him  grateful  to  all  kind  of  perfons. 
His  firit  troop  of  horfe  con  filled  t 
mofl  of  Englifh,  who  reforted.to 
hhn  in  as  great  nurnbers  as  he 
could  wjfli,  and  who.  thought  their 
fortunes  made  by  their  dependance 
upon  him  j  and  he-  was  well  con- 
tented they  Ihould  do  fo,  not  con* 
cealing  any  imagination  of  his  own 
of  the  vail  height  his  liars  would 
carry  him  to,  imputing  llill  all  fuc- 
cefs  to  his  own  rare  contrivance,  and 
dexterity  in  the  management,  and 
encouraged  them  to  hope  all  for 
fortunes  under  his  conduct,'  which 
brought  great  joy  and  fatisfa&ioa 
to  them  both  j  they,  congratulating 
with  themjfelves  for  the  great  bid- 
ding 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


»6 


ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786. 


fing  that  had  befallen,  that  they  had 
committed  their  fortunes  into  the 
hands  of  a  perfon  who  could  fo  eafi- 
ly,  and  was  refolved   fo  amply  to' 
provide  for  them,  and  fo  they  cele- 
brated him  in  all  places  as  the  won- 
der of   the  world  $    and   he,    too 
much  delighting  in  that  kind  of  ce- 
lebration,   requited   them  only  in* 
giving    them    equal    teftimony  as 
brave  men,  excellent  officers,'  who 
having  the  choice  of  all  offices  and 
preferments,  made  it  their  choice', 
out  of  their  mere  love  and  efteem 
of  his  perfon,  to  grow  up  under  his 
fhadow,  and  in  the  mean  time  that 
they  would  wait  with  patience  and 
induftry,  that  they  might  take  their 
turh  with  him.    But  patience  and 
induftry  were  virtues  that  neither  of 
them  were  acquainted  with,   they 
were  pleafed  with  him  becaufe  his 
profeffions  and  promifes  were  very 
early,  and  fo  like  preferments,  that 
they  concluded,  that  he  Jhat  faid 
more  than  they  could jwifh  in  the 
£r#  and  feeond  Weeks,  would  give 
them  pofleffion  of  fomething  within 
three  or  four  months.    And  he  again 
believed  that  all  their  profeffions 
and  zeal  proceeded  purely  out  of  an 
innate  afte&ion  to  his  perfon,  would 
never  be  weary  of  their  dependance, 
or  that  he  fhould  ftill  be  able  to  keep 
"  ;  fame  fire  by  which 
I  it.'   So  that  they 
:ence  and  expence; 
>referit  liberal  fup- 
given  them  caufe 
more,  and  he  hav- 
lature  the  leaft  in- 
unty  or  generofity, 
kly  weary  of  each 
ndoning  him  as   a 
nifed  vaftly,  light- 
bnably,    and   who 
orm,  if  it  were  in 
it  as  eafily  as  to 


promife ;  and  he  looking  upon  it  a$ 
a  great  advancement  to  his  fortune 
to  be  freed  from  fuch  an  importu* 
nate  and  infatrable  dependance. 
When  he  made  his  firft  cornet  for 
his  troop,  his  imprefs  was  an  of- 
trich,  which  is  his  own  creft,  and  in 
its  mouth  a  piece  of  iron,  under  it, 
thefe  words,  Ferro  vhvendum  eft  tibi,  ' 
quid  praftantia  fluma  ? — alluding' 
to  the  nature  of  the  oftrich  to  live 
upon  iron,  which  was  now  his  for- 
tune to  do,  without  any  benefit 
from  the  beauty  of  her  feathers,  arf 
he  was  to  expect  none  from  the  luf- 
tre  of  his  pen,  in  which  he  believed 
he  excelled  all  men.  The  inven- 
tion had  fharpnefs  in  it,  andr  added 
to  his  reputation,  even  when  it  ap- 
pear^ to  be  full  blown. 

Whilft  the  civil  wars  of  France 
continued,  and  every  day  discover- 
ed treachery  and  falfehood  in  the 
court,  amongft  thdfe  who  were  leaft 
fufpe&ed,  his  credit  grew  to  that 
degree,  both  with  the  queen  and 
the  cardinal;  that  he-  was  admitted 
into  the  greateft  truft,  and  was  in 
truth  ready  for  the  boldeft  under- 
takings, in  which  he  had  fometime 
fuccefs,  which  he  never  forgot,  but 
he  never  remembered  want  of  it,  of 
when  he  had  fucceeded  very  ill)  and 
was  as  prepared  for  any  new  under- 
taking. And  in  truth,  the  changes 
he  met  with,  and  even  the  repara- 
tions he  fometimeS  received,  might 
well  work  upon  a  nature  lefs  fan- 

fuine  than  his.  Upon  the  king's 
rft  coming  to  Paris  after  the  mur- 
ther  of  his  father,  at  which  time  he 
flood  pofleifed  pjf  the  office  of  fe- 
cretary  of  ftate,  he  had  fome  very 
good  friends  about  the  young  king, 
who  did  wifh  that  he  might  receive 
all  gracious  treatment  from  his  ma- 
jefty/as  a  man  who  had  behaved 
himfeif  faithfully  and'  fignally  iri 


■' 


CHARACTERS. 


27 


the  fervicc  of  his  father,  and  being 
of  that  rank  and  quality  as  had  fel- 
dom  received  any  diminution  upon 
the  fucceflion  of  the  crown.  But 
his  majefty  very  quickly  difcovered 
fuch  an  averfion  for  him,  that  he 
did  not  receive  him  with  any  degree 
of  grace,  nor  admit  him  into  any 
kind  of  confultation,  there  being 
fome  perfons  of  inferior,  condition 
abput  him  who  had  made  it  their 
bufinefs  to  make  the  worft  impref- 
iion  they  could  of  him,  principally 
infufing  into  him,  that  he  was  the 
molt  obnoxious  perfon  in  England, 
and  the  mod  ingrateful  to  all  de- 
grees of  perfons,  and  therefore  his 
majefty  could  not  do  a  more  unpo- 
pular thing  than  to  receive  fuch  a 
perfon  into  any  kind  of  credit  with 
him.  Thefe  and  the  like  infufions 
prevailed  fo  far,  as  that  an  obftinate 
averfion  was  too  eafily  difcovered 
by  thofe  who  Hood  very  near,  and 
he  himfelf  difcerned  it  foon  enough 
not  to  expofe  himfelf  till  it  was 
difcerned  by  others  at  a  farther 
diftance  5  and  therefore  he  fpeedily 
withdrew  himfelf  from  any  further 
attendance,  and  retired  to  his  com- 
mand in  the  army,  where  he  grew 
evey  day,  and  where  he.  pleafed 
.  himfelf  with  the  having  difcharged 
his  duty  in  the  overture  of  his  Ser- 
vice, and  as  much,  that  that  over- 
ture was  rejected,  the  acceptance 
whereof  might  have  made  him  lefs 
folicitous  tp  have  profecuted  his 
fortune,  which  providence  had  laid 
before  him,  in  a  more  fpecious  way. 
And  in  his  refentments  of  this  kind 
he  was  naturally  very  iharp  and 
flowing,  let  the  perfons  be  of  what 
quality  foever  which  were  to  be 
mentioned  upon  thofe  occafions  -, 
and  yet  within  two  or  three  years, 
together  with  the  progrefc  he  made 
in  the  war,  he  recovered  fo  much 


credit  with  the  perfon  of  the  king, 
by  his  own  pure  addrefs  and  dexteT 
rity,  that  he  not  only  made  himfelf 
acceptable  to  him  in  converfation, 
but  fo  gracious,  that  he  made  him 
knight  of  the  order,  which  was.  the 
greater!  honour  he  could  beftow, 
and  the  mod  ufcful  to  the  perfon 
on  whom  he  beftowed  it.  And  here 
he  again  congratulated  his  Hars  for 
the  ne,gle&  and  affront  he  had  for-  , 
merly  fuftained,  and  his  own  genius 
for  the  honour  and  reparation  he  had 
wrought  but  for  himfelf  by  his  wif- 
dom  in  fupporting  it;  and  at  the 
time  when  he*  had  this  obligation 
conferred  upon  him,  the  king  was 
at  the  Louvre  with  his  mother,  and  . 
the  city  of  Paris,  with  many  of  the 
princes,  in.  rebellion.  Wlulft  the 
king  and  his  army  were  about  St'. 
Germains,  he  frankly  undertook^ 
by  his  pretence  to  pay  his  duty  to 
the  king,  that  he  would  introduce 
officers  and  men  enough  to  poflefs 
himfelf  of  the  Louvre,  where  the 
king  was  in  great  jealoufy  and  um- 
brage with  the  princes  and  the  cityj 
and  when  the  execution  of  this  de- 
fign  was  by  fome  accident  inter- 
rupted, he  never  thought  he  owed 
an  apology  to  the  king  for  engag- 
ing in  fuch  an  enterprize,  in  which 
his  perfon  and  his  honour  were  to 
be  fo  much  concerned,  without  fo 
much  as  communicating  it  to  him- 
felf j  but  would  with  all  affurance 
declare,  that  he  ought  not  to  let  the 
king  know  of  it,  becaufe  it  could  not 
be  prefumed  he  would  cpnfent  to  it, 
and  then  it  would  be  in  his  power  to 
prevent  it ;  and  therefore  it  ought 
to  be  done  without  his  privity,  which 
would  abfolve  him  from  being 
thought  to  have  a  hand  in  it,  and, 
the  advantage  would.be  fo  great  to 
the  king  of  France's  fervice,  and 
his  own  glory  in  the  luftre  of  fuch 

an 


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sS  ANNUAL   REGISTER,   1786. 


•m  a&ion  that  he  was  obliged  in 
jionour  to  undertake  it.      N 

His  commands  now  were  grown 
fo  confiderahle,  not  only  in  point  of 
honour,  but  in  point  of  profit  (the 
greateft  part  of  the  trade  to  Paris 
being  driven  under  his  pafles.   and 
licence,  he  having  the  command  of 
thole  rivers  by  which  they  were  to 
have   their   entrance)   that   it   was 
concluded  by  all  men,  that  he  would 
Jn*a  very  fhort  time  raife  a  very  great 
eflate  to  himfelf,  it  being  evident 
enough  that  he  never  difpenfed  with, 
or  remitted  the  lead  fum  of  money 
which  he  could  exa£t  j  that  he  never 
made  expence  in  eating  or  drink- 
ing j    never   had   any   expence    in 
equipage  j  never  exerciled  any  thing 
pf  bounty  towards  friend,  feryant  or 
dependant,  and  as  little  charity  to- 
wards any  perfon  who  flood  in  wanjt 
of  relief,  of  which  he  had  worthy 
objects  enough  in  many  diftrefled 
per  Ions   of  his   own  pountry ;   yet 
(which  is  the  moll  wonderful  part 
of  his'life)  he  was  not  only  always 
without  money,  but  without  thofe 
fupplie.s  of  linen  and  dothes  which 
all  men  were  pofleffed  of  .who  ferv- 
id  in  a  much  inferior  condition; 
all  which  (for  it  was  notorious  to 
all)  men  then  imputed  to  his  excefs 
in  play  and  gaming,   in  which  he 
■was  exceedingly  delighted,  and  al- 
ways  over-reached,  for  he  played 
not  well  3   and  to  fome  amours  in 
which  he  had  always  the  vanity  to 
involve  himfelf,   and  to  which  he 
might  poflibly  make  fome  facrifices 
for  that  vanity's  fake.      It  is  very 
true  he  was  in  his  conflitution,  and 
as  much  in  his  nature,  very  amo- 
rous j  and  whether  to  exercife  that 
part  of  his  oratory,  which  he  thought 
graceful    and*  powerful  in  making 
love,  or  for  the  natural  efre&s  of  it, 
he  was  very  feldom  without  fuch  a 


deity  to  facrifice  to,  which  he  al« 
ways  performed  fo  induftrioufly,tiiat 
he  feemed  to  neglect  all  other  things 
Qf  the  world.      He   would  admire 
and  extol  the  perform  he  adored  be- 
yond what  any  of  the  poets  had  tiled 
to  do,  and  then  grieve  and  lament, 
and  bewail  his  own  want  of  merit, 
and  unvvorthinefs,  even  in  tears,  at 
his  miflrelVs  feet,  making  all  the 
promifes  and  vows  imaginable,  and 
would  procure  letters  of  his  wife's 
defperate  •  ficknefs   of  forae  difealc 
that  could  not  be  cured,  nor  fup- 
ported  above  two,  or  three  months, 
and  thereupon,  make  offers  and'pro- 
mifes  of  marriage   with  the  fame 
importunity  as   if  the   time  wen: 
ready  for  contract  \    and  when  ei- 
ther fuccefs,  or  want  of  fuccefs,  had 
put  an  end  to,  or  allayed  the  fervour 
pf  thele  addreifes,  he  was  as  read) 
and  folicilous  in  any  new  embark 
tion,  and  would  a 61  as  romantic  ex- 
ploits as  aje  recited  jn  any  oi  ik 
romances.     Whilil  he  was  a  votary 
to  a  lady  of  ijoble  extraction  and 
incomparable    tjeauty   in    Paris,  \\ 
happened  that  a  young  abbot  fre- 
quented the  fame  houfe,  and  /mini 
liis  pretence  lefs  agreeable  thank 
had  formerly  thought-  jt  had  been, 
and  jiad  thereupon  iiied  fome  ex- 
prefliqns,  according  to  the  cultom 
and  liberty  of  that  nation  and  tk\ 
people,  which  the  lady  thought  her- 
ielf  difobliged  by,  and  complw 
of  it    to    many  perfons  of  quality 
who   ufed  to  be   in   her  pretence. 
This  npb.le  lover  being  once  wf 
informe4  where  th,e  abbot  was,  ;u<u 
what  jourpey  he  intended  to  nA 
fent  ail  officer  that  he  could  truft  witk 
fome  horfe  and  took  him  prifoner, 
and  fent  him  to  the  lady  with  a  let- 
ter, that  if  he  made  not  an  entire 
and  humble  fatisfaftion  to  her  for  k 
mifcarriagc,  he  had  appointed  ik« 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHARACTERS. 


2$ 


fcttaro'  to  bring  him  to  him,  and  he 
Should"  thereupon  do  fuch  further 
iuftfce  as  was  fit.  The  lady  was 
infinitely  furprifed  and  fcandalized 
with  the  reparation,  caufed  the  ab- 
t>ot  immediately  to  be  di (miffed, 
without  feeing  him,  and  fignified 
her  defire  to  the  officer  that  his  fu- 
perior  would  meddle  no  more  in  her 
intereft,  or  any  thing  relating  to  her 
^  reputation  \  and  fo  the  matter  end- 
"  ed,  with  the  general  laughter  of  the 
court,  it  beings  in  a  /irae  when 
greater  extravagancies* could  not  be 
examined  and  p'ummed.  This  Won- 
derful humour"  continued  with  him 
to  his  age,  and  I  belfeve  will  part 
with  him  laft  of  all  his  good  quali- 
ties, for  he  is  not  more  pleafecf  with 
any,  and  owns  this  paflion,  when  he 
►  meets  with  an  object  worthy  of  his 
addrefs,  with  the  fame  fervour  and 
importunity,  with  the  fame  lan- 
guishing and  tears,  which  he  hath 
found  benefit  by  near  forty  years, 
and  therefore  pra&ifes  it  with  the 
fame  difurnnce. 

When  the  cardinal  was  compelled 
to  leave  the  court  and  the  kingdom, 
he  left  this  perfon  in  great  trull 
with  the\quecn,  who  took  all  occa- 
t  lions,  by  Frequent  conferences  with 
him,  and  frequent  teftircinies  of  his 
parts  and  abilities,  to  exprefs  a  very 
good  and  particular  elleem  of  him, 
which  he  (according  to  the  kindnefs 
he  naturally  had  for  himteif)  inter- 
preted to  proceed  from  his  own  great 
merit  and  abilities,  which  had  ren- 
dered him  very  gracious  to  his  ma- 
jefty  5  and  thereupon  began  to  de- 
light himfelf  with  the  contempla- 
tion of  the  glorious  condition  he 
mould  be  potfeHed  of,  if  he  could 
now  fucceed  the  cardinal  in  the  of- 
fice of  premier  minifter  in  France.* 
And  this  tranfported  him  fo  far, 
that  he  was  not  only  well  contented 


with  the  univerfal  jealoufy  and  cla- 
mour againft  the  cardinal's  return, 
but  bare- faced  took  up6n  himfelf  to 
advife  the  queen  not  to  arTe&  it,  as 
a  thing  impoffible  to  be  brought  to 
pafs,  and  that  the  very  defining  it 
would  expoie  her  own  fecurity  to 
great  hazard ;  which  fhe  no  fooner 
perceived  (though  with  a  counte- 
nance of  grace)  than  £he  gave  the 
cardinal  advertifement  of  it,  that  he 
might  incur  no  further  inconveni- 
ence by  that  trull  5  and;  the  other 
found  himfelf  infenfibly  deprived  of 
all  further  opportunities  to  give  any 
counfel,  and  was  mortly  after  fent 
With  his  troops  into  Italy*  in  an  etf- 
terprize  which  was  not  intended  fof 
fuccefs,  and  as  foofr  as  he  returned 
from  thence,  upon  pretence  of  ftate; 
and  with  many  compliments  from* 
the  cardinal,  in  the  aflignation  of 
monies  to  be  paid  to  him  (though 
not  half  of  what  was  in  truth  due 
upon  his  appointments)  he  was  ca- 
shiered of  all  his  commands,  and. 
obliged  to  depart  out  of  France,  and 
not  to  return  thither  j  leaving  be- 
hind him  the  reputation  of  a  very 
extraordinary  perfon,  wonderfully 
qualified  for  fpeculation,  but  fome- 
what  defective  in  reducing  thofe 
fpeculations  into  practice. 

Magnis  tamen  excidit  aims. 
Being  now  to  begin  the  world 
again,  he  repaired  into  Flanders  to 
'the  king,  pretending  that  he  had 
brought  enough  with  him  to  fupport 
him  a  year,  which  was  four  times 
more  wealth  than  any  perfon  about 
his  majefty  could  pretend  to*  and 
was  indeed  much  more  than  ho  had 
any  view  of;  for  within  4efs  than 
fix  weeks  he  had  fpent  all  that  he 
brought  from  France,  and  therefore 
he  beltirred  himfelf  betime  for  ear- 
ly ways  of  fupply.  He  fiaid  very 
few  days  with  the  king  at  BrmTete, 

but 


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30  ANNUAL    R  E  G  I  S  T  E  R,  1786. 


but  the  army  being  then  in  the  field, 
and  under  the  command   of  Don 
Juan,  he  repaired ,  fpeedily  to  him. 
His  friends,  who  wifhed  him  very 
-well,  defpaired  that  he  would  find 
any  good  reception  there ;  it  is  very 
true  he  had  the  language  of  a  Spa- 
niard, having  been  born,  and  lived 
many  years  in  Madrid,  as  hath  been 
iaid  before,  but  the  gaiety  of  his  hu- 
;mour,  and  his  whole  behaviour  was 
moll  contrary  to  the  nature  of' Spain; 
befides,  he  had  in  his  whole  com- 
portment, both  in  France  and  Italy, 
rendered  himfelf  very  ungracious  to 
that  whole  nation.    Don  Alonzo  de 
Cardinas,  who  was  in  principal  truft 
sbout  Don,  Juan,   had   lived   very 
many  years  in  England,  knew  the 
other  gentleman  very  well,  and  the 
univerlal    reproach    he   lay   under 
there,  and  how  unfuccefsful  his  fine 
mercurial  temper  had  always  been 
in  the  forming  any  folid  counfels, 
and  therefore  he  was  like  to  ufe  all 
his  credit  to  obftru&  his  pretences. 
Laftly,  he  had  commanded  a  party 
of  horfe  and   dragoons  a  year  or 
two  before,,  in  a  winter  expedition 
upon  Flanders ;  which  was  the  moft 
famous  for  plunder  and  all  kind  of 
(Tary  con- 
iges    and 
tat  whole 
bad  been* 
lampoons 
rholepro- 
withthe 
s  Spanifh 
,  and  the 
h  of  the 
lat  time, 
ny  other- 
;  but  all 
n  abated 
ad  ftayed 
QTcls  with 
his  ma- 


jefty  with  variety  of  pleafant  dif- 
courfes  concerning  France  and  Ita- 
ly, efpecially  the  great  expreffions 
the  cardinal  ufed  to  him  at  parting, 
when  all  miftakes  were  cleared  and 
a  new  friendlhip  entered  into  be- 
tween them,  he  made  his  journey  to 
Don  Juan,  who  was  then  with  his 
army  before  Conde,  without  any 
other  ^advantage  or  credit  than  the 
ftrength  of  his  own  genius';  for  he 
carried  not  with  him  fo  much  as 
any  recommendation  from  the  king, 
nor  defired  it.  His  reception  at  the 
army  was  with  date  and  refervation 
enough,  as  a  man  towards  whom 
they  meant  to  (land  upon  their 
guard.  In  the  mean  time  he,  ac- 
cording to  his  natural  vivacity,  made 
all  his  addrefles  as  well  to  the  mi-* 
nifters  and  officers,  as  to  Don  Juan, 
as  was  moft  proper  to  their  feveral 
tempers  and  humours,  in  which  he 
prevailed  fo  far  over  Don  Alonzo's 
own  parched  flupidity,  and  com- 
mending his  great  abilities  in  flate 
affairs  (in  which  he  was  invincibly 
ignorant)  that  he  thought  he  had 
not  well  enough  known  him  before, 
and  wifhed  he  might  have  credit 
enough  with  Don  Juan- and  the  mar- 
quis Carracina,  that  he  might  be 
believed  in*the  teftimony  he  gave  of 
him.  In  a  very  few  days  he  bad 
made  himfelf  fo  acceptable  to  all 
kind  of  perfons,  that  he  was  gene- 
rally looked  upon  as  a  very  fine 
gentleman,  and  of  extraordinary 
parts;  and  Don  Juan 'himfelf  was 
very  well  pleafed  to  fee  him  fre- 
quently, and  efpecially  at  thofe  fea- 
fons  when  he  was  moft  vacant  to 
difcourfe,  as  at  meals  and  in  the 
evening  hours,  in  all  which  feafons 
the  other  attended  very  diligently, 
entertaining  him  upon  all  fubje&s 
with  very  acute  and  refined  fpecu- 
lations.    That  prince  had  very  fine 

natural 


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CHARACTERS. 


3* 


Natural  parts,  and  had  been  very 
iconverfant  in  many  parts  of  polite 
learning,  and  more  with  books  than 
that  natron  ufed  to  be,  and  was  Very 
hiuch  fuperior  to  any  perfon  of  what 
tonality  foever  who  was  about  him, 
10  that  he  quickly  made  it  manifeft, 
that  he  was  exceedingly  delighted 
to  exercife  thofe  talents  in  the  con- 
terfationf  of  a  perfon  fo  excellently 
indovted  in  all  parts  of  literature. 
In  the  time  Don  Juan  had  fpent  in 
Italy,  he  had  been,  according  to  the 
jgenius  of  that  nation,  inclined  to 
examine  the  art  of  a  Urology,  and 
was  not  without  a  greater  opinion 
of  it  than  he  publicly  owned.  The 
other  had  really  waded  as  deep  into 
the  examination  and  ftudy  of  it  as 
any  man  ha^d  done ;  and,  though  he 
would  make  many  pleafant  dif- 
courfes  upon  it,  and  upon  the  gene- 
ral incertitude  of  it,  yet  he  had  in 
truth  a  greater  eiteem  and  depen- 
dence upon  it,  than  he  Was  willing 
to  be  thought  to  have,  and  had  many 
difcourfes  of  the  obfervations  he  had 
made  in  Italy,  of  the  great  confi- 
dence that  people  had  in  all  their 
afrairs  and  counfels  upon  thofe  pre- 
dictions, of  the  fuccefs  whereof*  he 
would  give  many  inftances  j  and  his 
J  ate  general  the  duke  of  Modena 
had  much  improved  his  curiofity 
and  knowledge  in  that  fcience. 
This  argument  did  not  only  take  up 
much  of  the  time  Don  Juan  fpent 
in  publid  difcourfe,  but  difpofed  him 
to  many  private  conferences  with 
him  ;  till  in  the  end  Don  Juan  de- 
fired  him  to  examine  his  horofcope, 
Which  he  delivered  to  him,  and  the 
other  as  willingly  received,  and  un- 
dertook the  charge  :  and  from  this 
kind,  of  iritercourfe,  wflich  in  the 
beginning  had  no  other  foundation, 
it  was  upon  the  fudden  believed  that 
the  prince  held  other  conferences 


with  him  upon  matters  of  greater 
importance,  and  that  he  had  credit 
enough  with  him  to  prevail  in  many  ' 
Cafes.  So  that  many  perfons  of  all 
conditions  applied  themfelves  to 
him,  to  promote  their  pretences  to 
the  prince,  in  reception  whereof  he 
was  not  forward  5  yet  took  care  to 
cultivate  thofe  imaginations  con- 
cerning his  intereft  in  the  prince",  of 
which  he  intended,  as  he  mortly  af- 
ter did,  to  make  fome  ufe. 

When  he  had  rai fed  this  opinion, . 
of  his  parts  and  abilities,  his  next 
work  was  to*  manifeft  his  intereft* 
and  the  power  lie  had  to  do  thcni 
fervice.  There  were  many  regi- 
ments in  the  French  army,  whicli 
con^fted  intirely,  both  officers  and 
foldiers,  of  Irifh„fome  whereof,  dur- 
ing his  majefty's  refidence  in  France, 
withdrew, themfelves  from  the  Spa- 
nifh  fervice,  declaring  that  they 
would  always  ferve  their  own  king, 
or  in  fuch  places  as  he  required  t 
them.  -And  they  were  now  as  ready 
to  leave  that  crown  and  to  engage 
for  the  Spaniards  in  Flanders,  to 
which  they  were  the  more  difpofed 
at  this  time,  by  the  general  rumour 
(which  was  known  to  be  well 
grounded)  that  the  duke  of  York, 
Would  be  fhortly  obliged  likewife 
to  retire  himfelf  out  of  France,  by 
fome  obligation  the  cardinal  was 
engaged  in,  upon  his  treaty  with 
Cromwell' 5  and  then  it  was  reason- 
ably enough  concluded  that  his  royal 
highnefs  would  repair  into  Flanders 
to  the  king  his  brother,  where  the 
duke  of  Gloucefter  already  was,  hav- 
ing found  it  neceffary  not  to  remain 
longer  with  his  fitter  in  Holland, 
where  his  pfefence  was  not  grate- 
ful to  thofe  Hates. 

The  Spaniards  having  entered  in- 

-  to  a  fecret  treaty  with  the  king,  and 

permitted  him  to  make  his  abode  in 

Flanders, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ji        .ANNUAL   REGISTER,    178& 


{ 


Flanders,  which  was  confined  to  the 
city  of  Bruges,  rather  as  a  prince 
incognito  than  as  a  king  whofe 
quarrel  and  intereft  they  had  wedded. 
As  foon  as  they  were  engaged  before 
Conde,  finding  that  there  were  forne 
Irifh  regiments  in  tha.t  garrifon,  they 
fcnt  to  the  king  to  defire  him  that  his 
majefty  would  lend  the  marquis  of 
Ormond  to  the  camp,  to  the  end 
that  by  his  prefence  fome  of  the 
Iriih  in  the  garrifon  might  be 
wrought  upon,  the  which  his  ma- 
jefty confented  to,  and  fent  the 
marquis  Accordingly,  of  which  Don 
Joan  found  the  benefit;  for  the 
jealoufy  the  garrifon  had  of  the 
Iriih,  made  the  French  commander 
and  governor  treat  tfie  foorier  upon 
the  lurrender  j  and  though  the  lord 
Muflcerry,  who  was  nephew  to  the 
marquis  of  Ormond,  and  command- 
ed a  ftrohg  regiment  of  Irifh  in 
that  toWn,  pon lively  refufed  to 
bring  over  his  regiment  to  the 
Spaniard  upon  the  lurrender  of 
Conde,  which  he  Conceived  would 
not  be  honourable  for  him  to  do, 
yet  he  declared  to  his  uncle,  that  as 
icon  as  he  came  into  France  with  his 
men,  he  would  repair  to  the  court, 
and  bare-faced  demand  from  the 
cardinal  a  fafe  conduct  for  himfelf 
and  his  men  to  march  into  Flanders, 
according  to  the>ftipulatton  agreed 
between  them,  That  whenever  the 
Icing  mould  require  his  fervice,  he 
ftiould  have  a  pafs  to  march  to  him 
with  his  whole  regiment ;  that 
when  he  had  done  his  part,  and  the 
cardinal  fhould  refufe  to  comply 
jauth  his  engagement,  he  would  take 
«inifelf  to  be  at  full  liberty,  and 
"would  with  all  fpeed  repair  to  his 
**iajefty,  and  made  no  doubt  but  thnt 
his  regiment  would  quickly  find 
themfelves  with  him,  which  fell  out 
accordingly ;  and  after  the  cardinal 


had  endeavoured,  by  all. the  way! 
he  could,  to  difpofe  and  perfuado 
him  to  continue  in  that  fervice  with 
great  promifes  of  reward  and  pre- 
ferment, finding  at  laft  that  he  could 
not  be  wrought  upon,  he  gave  hioi 
a  licence  for  his  own  departure; 
but  refufed  to  licence  his  men ;  fay* 
ing,  That  they  were  readier  for  Jthd 
king  of  England's  fervice  wtiilft  they 
remained  in  France,  than  if  they 
went  into  Flanders.  .  Whereupon 
Mulkerry  himfelf,  with  his  Servants 
a"nd  equipage  only,  repaired  to  Bruf- 
fels,  where  he  was  received  witljf 
great  applaufe,  both  tbfe  colonel  -and 
the  regiment  having  made  tbem- 
felves  very  fignal,iri  very  remark- 
able fervices ;  apd  Don  Juan  no 
fooner  affigned  him  quarters  for  the 
reception  of  his  men,  but  the  whole 
regiment,  by  tens  and  twenties,  re- 
paired with  their  arms  to  him,  in- 
iomuch,  that  there  were  not  above 
one  officer  and  very  few  private  fol- 
diers  who  were  riot  prefent  witK 
him,  and  there  they  continued  till 
the  making  of  the  peace; 

About  the  lame  time,  and  tbwards* 
the  end  of  the  campaign,  there  was 
a  ftrong  garrifon  fixt  and  pofTefled 
by  the  French  at  St.  Gillen,  withid 
five  miles  of  Brunei s,  under  the* 
command  of  Monfietfr  Schomburgh,* 
who,  having  been  poiTefifed  thereof 
by  the  fpace  of  above  a  year,  had/  i 
with  great  pains  and  care,  madd 
it  very  ftrong,  and  was  a  thorn  iri 
the  fide  of  Flanders,  and  exceedingly 
difcommoded  their  whole  affairs* 
The  Spaniard  had  attempted  the 
furprize  of  it  before  it  was  tho^ 
roughly  fortified,  and  made  after* 
wards  feveral  attempts  to  recover  ity 
but  were  always  beaten  off  with 
great  lols,  and  left  hopelefs  of  futf 
cefs.  The  major  part  of  this  gam* 
fon  were  Irifh*  whereof  moll  of  tht 

eficezf 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


Ctt  A  RA  CTE  R  S. 


JJ 


•fficers  were  of  one  family,  and 
nearly  allied  to  a  gentleman  who 
had  long  ferved  the  marquis  of 
Ormohd  in  tKe  place  of  a  fecretary.. 
They  found  means  to  let  this  gen- 
tleman know  that  if  the  king  thought 
it  would  be  for  his  fervice,  they 
would  undertake,  whenever  they 
iliould  be  required,  to  put  it  into  the 
Spaniard's  hands.  The  fecretary 
quickly  informed  his  lord  of  the 
overture*  and  his  majefty  approved- 
that  the  fecretary  fhould  refort  to 
tiie  army,  that  Don  Juan  might; 
know  and  confider  the  proportion, 
and  whether  it  might  be  pra&ica-  „ 
We$  and  the  marquis  rather  chofe 
to  commit  the  condud  of  it  to  the 
gentleman  who  had  made,  himfelf 
fo  gracious  to  Don  Juan,  than  \o  re- 
ferve  it  to  himfelf,  his  wifdom  and 
his  honour  raifing  many  fcruplcs  in 
him  concerning  that  negotiation; 
and  he  was  ftill  unfatisfied  that  the 
benefits  his  majefty  received  from 
the  Spaniard  were,  not  proportion- 
able to  the  advantages  they  received 
from  the  kipg. 

The  fecretary  no  fooner  com- 
municated this  affair  to  the  other 
gentleman,  but  he  received  it  with 
open  arms,  and  looked  upon  it  as  a 
thing  done  which  his  ftars  had  con- 
trived for  the  raifing  and  eftablifh- 
ing  his  fortune;  he  made  /all  the 
promifes  imaginable  of  managing  it 
for  the  particular  benefit  and  prefer- 
ment of  the  officers  and  foldiers,  and 
then  communicated  it  to  Don  Juan, 
as  an  affair  that  wholly  depended 
upon  him,  and  upon  the  entire  de- 
pendence thofe  officers  had  upon 
him. — The  overture  could  notbut.be 
very  grateful  to  Don  Juan,  the  re- 
duction of  that  place  being  the  moft 
defirabie  thing  before  them,  and  tp 
be  purchafed  at  any  price,  and  there-i 
fore  all  the  conditions  were  readily 

Vol.  XXVIII. 


contented  to,  prbmtfes  made  farther 
payment  of  fuch  and  fuch  funis  o£ 
money  out  of  hand,  fuch  and  fuel* 
pennons  to  be  granted  upon  fundi 
which  could  not  be  difappointed/ 
and  all  other  things  to  be  done  for 
officers  and  foldiers  which  they 
themfelves  required ;  and  to  this 
purpofe  a  treaty  was  entered  into) 
and  figned  with  all  retraifite  forma* 
lities. 

This  negoctation  was  attended 
with  other  conveniences;  he  had 
hitherto  appeared  only  in  the  qua^ 
lity  of  a  volunteer,  which  title 
would  be  at  an  end  as  foon  as  the 
army  retired  into  their  winter  quar«* 
ters,  and  he  had  reafon  to  appre- 
hend (though  there  continued  all 
fair  weather  in  Don  Juan's  coun- 
tenance) that  the  Spanifh  council 
would  not  be  fo  well  pleafed  to  fe© 
him  frequently  in  the  court,  and  in 
private  with  the  prince,  upon  whofefry 
temper  and  inclinations  he  was  al«v 
ready  thought  to  have  fome  afcen* 
dant ;  but  this  affair  of  St.  Gillen, 
which  was  imparted  to  the  principal 
counfellors,  added  infinitely  to  his 
reputation  with  them,  and  made  hi* 
prefence  at  Bruffels  to  be  even  abfo* 
lutely  neceffary,  there  being  many 
difficulties  which  were  in  view  for 
the  execution  of  the  defign.  Schpm- 
burgh  was  known  to  be  an  officer 
of  great  vigilance  and  courage,  and 
it  was  very  probable  that  the  daily 
refort  of  fo  many  Irifh  into  Flan- 
ders, who  withdrew  from  the  J»rench 
fervice,  would  raife  a  jealoufy  of  all 
thofe  of  that  nation  who  remained 
in  that  fervice,  and  therefore  if  th* 
defign  were  not  fpeedily  executed, 
they  muft  expect  that  the  garrifon 
would  be  reinforced  with  other  men> 
and  the  Irifh  removed ;  and  th« 
truth  is,  this  was  in  Schomburgh't 
purpofe  from  his  natural  j*aloufy  of 

D  *• 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


J4         ANNUAL   REOlSTfifii^. 


the  taconftancy  and  infidelity  of  that 
fi  at  ion,  without  having  discovered 
.  the  lead  circumftancfe  of  the  treaty. 
But  from  the  tune  of  the  taking  of 
Conde,  which  adminiftered  the  firfi 
fufpicion  of  the  Irifh,  it  was  not  in 
his  power  to  draw  hew  forces  to 
him,  or  to  difmifs  thofe  out  of  his 
garrifon  whofe  company  he  leafl 
defircd ;  thereupon  he  only  changed 
one  refolution  he  had,  which  was 
to  make  a  journey  himfclf  to  Paris, 
the  knowledge  and  time  whereof 
was  the  firft  ground  that  difpofed 
the  officers  to  this  undertaking,  as 
bis  prefence  made  the  work  the 
more  difficult;  but  they  were  too 
many,  and  thofe  too  far  engaged,  to 
give  over  the  defign,  ,and  therefore 
the  officers  within  were  as  folicitous 
for  the  execution  of  it  as  the  Spani- 
ards themfelves. 

In  the  depth  of  winter  about 
Chriftmas,  in  a  very  great  froit  and 
fnow,  Don  Juan  affembled  all  his 
army  before  St.  Gillen,  with  which 
Schomburgh  was  very  much  fur- 
pi  i  fed*  and  knew  well  that  the  army 
could  do  him  no  harm  if  his  men 
were  true  to'  him,  and  therefore  con- 
cluded'that  the  enemy  without  de- 
pended upon  treachery  within.,  and 
he  quickly  found,  by  the  frequent 
aflembling  of 'many  of  the  Irifh  of- 
ficers, and  by  the  neglect,  of  his  or- 
ders, end  fometimes  changing  the 
guards,  that  there  was  a  confpiracy 
againft  him,  and  that  fome  religious 
men  had  been  iurTered  to  pais  in  and 
out ;  and  he  intercepted  one  letter 
by  which  iie  found  the  lieutenant 
colonel  of  the  Irifh  regiment,  of 
whom  he  had  always  had  a  very  good 
opinion  (and  he  was  indeed  much 
fuperior  in  abilities  to  that  kind  of 
people)  deeply  engaged  in  the  de- 
tign,  and  indeed  the  whole  conduc-r 
tor, of  if.    Whexeupon  he  earned 


Him  fuddenlv  to  tfe  apprehended 
with  a  refolution  as  fuddeniy  to 
execute  him,  but  the  officer  advifed 
him  not  to  make  too  much  haite* 
and  refolutely  told  him  that  his  owil 
life*  and  the  lives  of  all  who  ad- 
hered to  him,  fhould  expiate  for  the 
lofs  of  his  $  and  in-  the  lame  inftant 
all  the  Irifh  betook  themselves  tcf 
their  arms,  and  pofTeffed  themfelves 
of  fome  of  the  outworks,  and  of  a 
place  of  fome  ffirength  in  the  town } 
and  a  trumpet  was  fent  from  Don 
Juan  with  a  letter  to  the  go- 
vernor, in  which  he  let  him  know4 
that,  he  was  very  fure  of  the  place 
in  fpite  of  all  that  he^  could  do, 
and  therefore  if  he  (hould  take  away 
the  lieutenant  colonel's  life,  himielf 
and  all  his  friends  *  fhould  fufler, 
but  if  he  would,  prefently  treat  for 
the  giving  up  of  the  place,  he  would 
give  him  conditions  worthy  of  a 
foldier  ',  in  this  ftreight  the  go- 
vernor found  it  abfolutely  neceflary 
for  him  to  treat,,  and  quickly*  con- 
fen  ted  to  the  conditions  propofed, 
and  marched  out  with  all  thofe  who 
had  a  mind,  to  follow  him,  much 
the  major  part  remaining  in  the 
Spanifh  lervice.  And  fo  Don  Juan 
returned  triumphantly  to  Bruffels, 
where  he  was  the  better  welcome  for 
having  reduced,  to  mifchievous  a 
neighbour  in  the  depth  of  winter, 
which  they  durft  not  have  attempt- 
ed in  the  fpring  or  fummer. 

This  action  ioprofperoufly  carried 
on  gave  great  advantage  to  the  af- 
fairs of  that  country,  and  the  dex- 
terous conduct  of  it,  much  reputa- 
tion to  the  perfon  who  had  been  fo 
in  tt  rumen  tal  in  it,  who  was  like- 
wife  liberally  confidered  by  the 
Spaniard  for  the  fervice  he  had 
done,  befides  the  confideration  he 
took  for  himfelf  out  of  the  monies 
affigned  for  the.  officers  and  foldier*; 

and 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


J 


feHAR  kt  f  E  RSi- 


*n£  W  now  looked  tipon  himfelf  as 
fettled  in  the  fervice  of  that  crown, 
tend  in  the  particular  affection  of 
Don  Jean,  of  which  he  made  daily 
tile.  From  the  time  of  his  firft  ap<- 
proach  into  Don  Juan's  good  opi- 
nion, he  ufedall  the  ways  Jie  could 
to  inculcate  into  the  kins  the  great 
benefit  would  accrue  to  pis  fervice 
by  the  reputation  he  had  gotten 
with  the  prince  and  in  the  Spanifl* 
councils,  where  he  would  employ 
all  his  talent  and  his  time  to  pro- 
mote his  majefty's  pretences  -,  and 
therefore  he  propofed  to  the  king, 
that  he  might  be  reftored  to  the 
character  of  his  fecretary,  as  he  had 
been  to  n*s  father,  and  the  place  had 
.never  been  yet  difpofed  of,  there 
being  always  two  Secretaries  of 
Hate,  one  •  of  which,  who  had 
been  joint  officer  with  him,  be- 
ing then  attending  upon  his  ma- 
jefty,  and  fufficieut  to  di  (patch  all 
the  bufinefs  of  that  office.  The 
arguments  which  he  ufed  to  the 
lung  to  gratify  him  in  that  his 
defire,  were,  that  he  fnould  be 
thereby  enabled  to  do  his.  majefty 
great  fervice  by  the  reputation  tnat 
chara&er  would  give  him  $  that  he 
Would  npt  intermeddle  with  his  coun- 
sels, otherwise  than  as  his  majefty 
ihould  think  fit  to  communicate  them 
to  him,  in  reference  to  the  tranfac^ 
'tions  which  were  to  be  made  with 
•Don  Juan  and  in  the  court  of  Spain  5 
that  when  Jhe  king  ftiould  find  it 
neceflary,  by  the  advancement  of  his 
Affairs  in  England,  to  difpofe  of  the 
place  of  the  fecretary  to  a  perfori 
who  might  merit  it  by  any  notable 
fervice,  he  would  willingly  put  it 
into  his  majefty s  hands  to  difpofe 
of,  and  betake  hitnfelf  to  any  other 
office  he  fhould  be  affigned  to. — 
By  thefe  inducements  he  prevailed 
with  his  majefty  to  admit  him  into 
the  feme  relation  he  had  formerly 


to  his  father,  not  at  all  meddling 
with  the  bufinefs  of  the  office,  nor 
believing  that  it  would  ever  come 
to  be  an  office  in  England,  he  being 
at  that  time  pollened  with  as  full  a  - 
defpair  of  his  majefty*s  ever  being 
reftored  to  his  dominions,  as  Cram* 
well  himfelf  was  with  a  confidence 
that  it  could  never  come  to  pafi> 
and  fo  modelling  all  his  defigns  to 
live  in  a  good  condition  abroad,  in 
which  he  had  hitherto  profpered  fo 
wonderfully,  and  all  places  being 
alike  and  equal  to  him. 

Hitherto  he  avoucjied  nothing 
more  than  his  being  a  proteftant 
above  temptation,  frequented  the 
ekercife  of  devotion ,  in  the  king's 
houfe,  and  gave  all  the  evidence  of 
his  affection  that  way  as  could  bg 
expe&ed  from  a  man  who  was  long 
known  to  have  great  latitude  in 
religion  j  and  he  had  lately  commit- 
ted a  younger  fon  to  the  care  and 
education  of  the  jefuits  in  France> 
upon  fome  promife  the  queen  regent 
had  made  to  him  when  he  was  in 
credit  with  her>  that  fhe  would  pro- 
vide a  liberal  fupport  for  him  in 
penfions,  and  church-livingsi  the 
receiving  whereof  he  thought  no 
religion  could  oblige  a  man'  to  be 
averfe  from.  Soon  after  his  firft 
coming  into  Flanders,  and  as  foon 
as  he  found  he  had  got  credit  there 
(which  he  ftill  believed  to  be  greater 
than  in  truth  it  wa§)  he  fent  into 
England  for  a  daughter  he  had 
there,  of  a  full  growth,  who  lived 
not  eafily  with  her  mother,  in  order, 
by  his  authority  to  cOmpofe  fome 
domeftic  differences,  and  to  finilh  a 
treaty  of  marriage  for  her  with  a 
gentleman  of  the  fame  country,  who 
had  long  made  that  addrefs.  As 
foon  as  me  arrived  in  Flanders,  he 
provided  a  private  lodging  for  her 
in  Ghent,  which  being  in  the  mid- 
dle between  Bruges,  where  the  king 

D*  refided, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


& 


ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


refided,  and  BrufleU,  where  the 
Spaniih  court  was,  he  thought  to  be 

•  place  where  he  could  probably 
fpend  moft  part  of  his  time  j  be- 
sides, having  a  great  reverence  for 
the  lady  abbefs  of  the  EngliuH  nio- 
ljaftery  there,  he  had  a  particular 
demotion  for  that  city  3  not  without 

•  defign  to  have  his  own  devotion 
the  better  thought  of,  his  daughter 
remained  very  few  days  in  the  lodg- 
ing he  had  provided  for  her,  before 
he  removed  her  to  the  Englifh 
cloyfter  for  her  more  honourable 
accommodation,  whilft  her  ftay 
fhould  be  neceffary  in  thofe  parts. 
The  young  lady  was  as  averfe  from  a 
monaftery,  and  from  the  religion  that 
is  profefled  there,  as  is  poflible  for 
a  daughter  who  had  been  bred  from 
her  cradle  under  the  fevere  difci- 
pline  Of  a  mother  of  another  faith, 
and  in  an  age  and  region  where  the 
Homifh  religion  was  perfectly •  de- 
tefte^,  and  fhe  herfelf  h<*d  always 
*een  taught  very  (harp  objections 
ttgainft  it;  but,  her  father  eafily 
perfuaded  her  that  there  fhould  be 
Do  attempt  made  upon  her  religion, 
but  that  the  lodging  fhould  be  very 
honourable,  and  the  converfation 
fuch  as  fhe  could  not  but  take  de- 
light in,  and  that  fbe  fhould  always 
be  with  him  when  he  was  in  town,- 
only  lo^ge  in  the  monaftery,  and 
eat  there  when  he  was  away.  And 
it*  cannot  be  denied  but  that  the 
accommodation  was  very  good,  and 
prudently  provided  for  her,  the 
abbefs  being  a  lady  of  great  reputa- 
tion and  wifdom,  and  the  whole 
community  confifted  of  ladies  of 
noble  extraction,  great  beauty,  and 
unblemifhed  virtue ;  and  it  was  a 
great  rel'peft  in  the  abbefs  towards 
her  father,  and  her  dependence  upon 
his  great  power  at  court,  that  per- 
fuaded her  to  receive  jus  daughter 


intp  the  monaftery,  where  none  of 
any  quality  had  ever  been  admitted 
into  the  inclofure  who  did  not  pro- 
fefs  the  Roman  religion.  But  fh* 
had  been  there  very  fewdays>  when 
a  half-witted  man  of  a  good  family 
and  a  competent  fortune,  meeting 
this  young  lady  atfome  houfe,  whe- 
ther fhe  ufed  to  accompany  her  fa» 
ther,  made  love  to  her,  and  there 
being  a  great  friendfhip  between  the 
fcbbefs  and  iht  mother  of  the  young 
gentleman,  who  was  a  widow*  of 
very  great  reputation  and  efteem  id 
that  place,  the  matter  was  quickly 
propbfed  to  the  father,  who,  accord- 
ing to  his  natural  alacrity,  prefently 
looked  upon  it  as  a  new  manifesta- 
tion of  providence,  that  he  and  hit 
family  fhould  never  fall  to  infup- 
portable  neceffityj  and  tranfported 
with  the  vanity  of  the  reputation  ht 
fhould  acquire,  that  being  defpoiled 
of  his  eftate,  and  banifhed  from  his 
country,  he  fhould  raife  hirafelf  to 
fuoh  a  reputatibn  with  a  neighbour 
nation,  as  to  marry  a  daughter  into 
one  of  the  beft  families  of  it,  adorn*- 
ed,  as  he  would  believe,  with  an 
ample  revenue,  and  without  any 
other  portion  than  a  promife  to  pay 
a  competent  one  when  be  fhould  be 
able.  Without  long  -deliberating 
on  the  bufinefs,  and  without  con- 
fidering  the  weak  fpirit  of  the  young 
man,  which  was  in  truth  contemp- 
tible, or  fo  much  as  examining  the 
value  and  yearly  revenue  of  the 
eftate,  which  was  not  the  twelfth 
part  of  what  he  himfelf  gave  it 
out  to  be;  he  firft  perfuaded  hk 
daughter  to  renounce  her  own  re- 
ligion, and  become  a  Roman  ca- 
tholic, which  was  a  condition  with- 
•  out  which  the  marriage  x^puld  not 
be  attained  to,  and  then  frankly 
gave  her  up  to  perpetual  mifery, 
which  fhe  entered  into  from  the  day 

ef» 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


CH  AH  ACT  E  RS. 


37 


*f  fie%  marriage:  which,  confider- 
ing  all  circumstances,  would  hare 
brought  much  grief  of  mind  to 
Brother  parent,  hot  he  was  of  thai 
rare  coimitutiori,'that  thofe, worldly 
things,  never  gave  him  trpuble,  nor 
did  he  more  confider  the  lofs  of  a 
child,  in  an  adventure  which  pro- 
bably might  bring  fome  conveni- 
ence to  hkn  (for  bimfelf  was  dill 
ffcft,  if  not  fole  in  all  thofe  confide^ 
rations)  than  if  it  were  his  neigh- 
bours,' being  abfolutely  divefted 
of  ail  troutrtefome  affections  which 
mjght  obftru&  or  difturb  his  fortune, 
4  and  with  this  kind  of  providence 
he  made  provifion  for  two  of  his 
dhildren. 

•  Hitherto  he  had  preferved,  as  he 
believed,  his  own  reputation,  as  to 
being  a  proteftant,  unblemifhcd.— 
He  had  refilled  the  temptations  of 
France  without  being  ihaken,  and 
though  the>Jefuits  always  courted 
him  with  wonderful  application  and 
observance,  and  he  them  again  with 
|be  fame  dexterity,  frequently  gra- 
tifying them  with  fome  arguments 
againft  the  protectants,  and  acknow- 
ledging fome  defects  to  be  in  their 
church,  which  he  could  wifh  fup- 
plied  5  yet  after  he  had  lodged  fix 
months  at  Albey,  iii  a  college  of  the 
jefuits,  where  he  liudied  very  hard, 
and  read  all  books  recommended  by 
them  to  him>  when  the  iuperior 
came  to  him  at  his  remove  towards 
Italy,  and  patted  many  compliments 
witn  him  of  the  honour  the  fociety 
had  received  in  entertaining  fo  no- 
ble a  perfon  and  fo  rarely  qualified, 
he  told  him,  he  hoped  that  the  ob- 
servations he  had  made  of  their  pro- 
feflion  and  their  courfe  of  life,  and 
the  reflections  which  had  occurred 
Unto  him  upon  the  arguments  he 
had  found  in  fuch  and  fuch  books, 
had  by  this  time  confirmed  him  in 


fuch  a  reference  towards  the  catho- 
lic   church,    that,  all   his    former 
prejudice  being  removed,  he  would 
now  throw  himfelf  into  the  arms  of 
it.     He  parted  not  wi  th  him  in  debt 
for   any   good   words,  commended 
the  catholic  religion  as  containing 
moft    excellent  inducements    to  a 
pious  life;  which  could  not  but  be 
attended  with  falvation ;  he  admired 
and  extolled  the  inftitution  of  the 
fociety,  and  their  fbrict  *nd  pious 
obfervation  of  the  rules  prefcribed 
to   them,  which   in    his  judgment 
made  them  preferable  to  all  other 
religious  orders,  and  .that  he  woujd- 
always  preferve^  a  particular  devo- 
tion for  them.   But  he  faid,  whether 
it  were  by  the  difference  of  their 
educations,    or    the    inequality  of 
their  underfiandings  and  judgments, 
he  found  thatmany  arguments  which 
appeared  to  them  as  infallible  de- 
moniirations,  feemed  in  truth  to  him 
to  carry  little  weight  with  them, 
and  fo  briefly  enlarged  upon  fome 
particular   infiances  with  a   great 
fharpnefs  of  reafon,  yet  with  great 
modefiy,  and  confeffion  of  his  own 
weaknefs ;  he' concluded^ that  there 
was  fomewhat  wanting  in  their  re* 
ligion  which  kept  him  yet  from  be- 
ing reconciled  to   it,    and    fo    he 
took  his  leave  of  Albey.     But  he 
now  found  that  he  mufl  calculate 
his  defigns  to  another  meridian;  and 
that  the  temper  which  had  done  him 
no  harm  in  France  would  do  him 
no  good  in  Flanders,  that  the  repu- 
tation of  being  a  Chriftian  was  a 
tit}e  fufficient  for  many  preferments, 
but  that  not"  being  a  catholic;  in 
Spain  took  away  the  advantage  of 
being  a  Chriftian.    He  never  had 
any  lively  hopes  of  the  king's  refto- 
ration,  at  leaft  that  he  could  ever 
be  reftored  but  by  catholic  arms, 
and  he  had  juft  now  feen  the  moft 
P  3  probable 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


S*,         ANNUAL  HEGISTERi  17&& 

probable  defign  the  king  bad  ever 
had,  upon  the  hope  of  the  affe&ion 
and  power  of  his  own  fubje&s,  mif- 
carry  in  the  attempt  of  Sir  George 
Booth,  which  was  thought  to  be 
founded  upon  To  good  mediums  j 
that  the  king  had  withdrawn  pri- 
vately from  BrufTels  incognito,  and 
attended  only  with  four  or  five  fer- 
vants,  whereof  that  perfon  was  one, 
to  the  maritime  parts  of  France,  in 
fome  aflurance  that  the  rebel's  army 
would  find  fo  many  diverfions  in 
other  parts  of  the  kingdom,  that  he 
fhould  find  a  competent  body  of 
men  to  receive  him  in  Kent,  with 
which  he  might  march  as  he  fhould 
find  it  mod  counfellable.  But  all 
thefe  high  imaginations  coming  to 
nothing,  by  the  fudden  defeat  of  Sir 
Qeorge  Booth  before  Chefter>  and 
the  furprilal  of  many  other  parties 
in  feveral  parts  of  the  kingdom  be- 
fore they  were  well  formed,  and  in 
a  word,  the  imprifoning  of  all  per- 
lbns  of  honour  and  reputation 
throughout  the  whole  kingdom, 
who  were  in  the  leaft.  degree  fuf- 
pe&ed  to  with  well  to  the  king, 
teemed  at  the  fame  time  to  difcredit 
and  reproach  the  late  too  eafy  ima- 
ginations, and  to  pull  up  by  the 
roots  all  the  king's  future  hopes  of 
reftitution,  and  in  this  melancholy 
difcompofure  of  mind  the  king  re- 
turned again  to  BrufTels,  and  the' 
other  perfon  to  his  retreat  at  Ghent, 
to  the  admired  abbefs  and  to  h>s 
beloved  daughter. 

It  was  the  great  benefit  and  hap- 
pinefs  of  his  conftitution,  that  he 
never  continued  long  irrefolute,  or 
remained  in  fufpence ;  if  that  door 
was  not  open  which  he  would  chufe 
to  enter  at,  the  next  was  welcome 
to  him.  His  hopes  under  the  king 
were  now  blafted,.  and  though  he 
promifcd  himfelf  much  encourage*: 


ment  from  the  favour  of  Don  Jfa&ft* 
yet,  as  was  (aid  before,  religion  wa» 
that  which  could  only  make  a  man 
ihine  in  the  court  of  Spain,  and  he 
had  rna^e  as  much  of  his*  as  it  would 
yield  him'  throughout  his  whole? 
courfe  of  life,  and  it  was  like  now,, 
to  do  him  no  farther  fecvice.  A* 
foori  as  he  came  to  Ghent  he  pre*, 
tended  to  be  very  fick,  Tent  fo$ 
phyficians,  defcribed  his  difeafe  to, 
them,  and  propofed  fome  rcafonable 
remedies  to  them  -r  his  friend  the 
abbefs,  who  was  really  a  much  bet-, 
ter  cafuift  than  her  confeflbr,  di4 
not  fail  to  admibuter  her  fpirituai 
remembrances;  and  Courtney,  the 
provincial  of  the  Englifh  jefuits  (a. 
man  who  could  never  have  been  too 
hard  for  biro,  if  he  had  not  been, 
reduced  to  great  wetfcuef&)  was  at 
hand  to  do  all  his  offices,  and  he  did, 
it  very  effectually,  though  in  great 
fecret.  He  font  then  to  the  mar- 
quis of  Qrmond  and  his  other  friend^ 
at  Bruifels,  upon  whofe  friendfhip 
he  had  ever  depended,  and  had 
found  him  always  fall  and  unifcaken, 
to  him,  notwirjiftanding  his  many, 
imbecilities}  he  conjured  them, 
both  (who  were  indeed  the  two  only 
friends  he  had  in  the  world)  to  re-, 
pair  to  him  at  Ghent,  for  that  his, 
condition  of  health  being  at  that 
time  fo  very  doubtful,  he  had  fome- 
what  to  impart  to  them  of  the  laft 
importance.  The  enemy  had  fat- 
tened themfelves  in  fome  places  be- 
tween BrufTels  and  Ghentj  and  the 
feajbn  of  the  year  was  not  fo  plea- 
fan  t  as  to  invite  men  to  unnecefiary 
journiesj  it  was  therefore  agreed 
between  them,  that  the  pretence  of 
one  of  them  would  ferve  the  turn,  let 
the  bufinefs  be  what  it  would,  and 
fo  the  marquis  made  a  journey  to, 
him,  the  other  remaining  ftill  with, 
the  king.    When,  he  came  to  <^hen^ 

he 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CHARACTERS. 


39 


he 'found  him  well  recovered  of  his. 
iicknefs,  of  which  he  made  him  a 
large  relation  j  by  y^hat  degrees  it 
came  upon  him,  and  how  foon  it  had 
deprived  him  of  his  firength,  how 
bis  fleeps  forfook  him,  and  that  the. 
flight  yielded  hirn  no  reft  $  that  in 
bis  agony  he  had  made*many  reflec- 
tions upon  his  paft  condition  of  life, 
and  principally  upon  fome  fcrtiples 
in  religion,  which  had  been  long  in 
Jiis  mind}  that  he  had  fent  for  a 
learned  jefuit  to  confer  with  him, 
and  in  a  word,  that  he  had  received 
fo  great  fatisfa&ion  from  him,  that 
be  was  become  catholic,  and  was 
reconciled  to  the  church ;  which  he 
bad  no  fooner  fubmitted  to,  but  that 
be  found  fo  great  a  tranquillity  and 
ferenity  of  mind,  that  he  had  won- 
derfully recovered  in  fo  few  days 
bis  perftd  health,  and  almoft  his 
former  ftrengtb*  That  having  thus 
provided  fox  the  falvation  of  his 
foul,  all  his  other  thoughts  were  for 
the  advancement  of  his  majefty 's 
fervice,  or  that  at  leaft,  that  this 
alteration  in  him  mjght  have  noN 
reflection  upon  the  other,vand  that  in 
this  confideration  he  defired  a  con« 
ference  with  his  two  beft  friends  j 
and  fince  one  of  them  came  not,  he 
Would  deiire  the  fame  from  the  other, 
which  he  meant  to  do  from  both, 
that  he  uiight  receive  his  advice 
how  the  fame  might  be  communi- 
cated to x the  kingj  and  how,  and 
when,  and  in  what  manner  it  mould 
be  made  known  j  and  that  ;t  was 
hitherto  fo  great  a  fecret,  that  it 
was  only  knp,wn  to  his  conferTor  and 
hirafelf  ;  and  that  it  ihould  remain 
{p  as  long  as  his  majefty  lhould 
think  it  requiflte ;  that  he  had  in, 
truth  himfelf  endeavoured,  as  a 
thing  practicable  in  his  own  opini- 
on, tfyat  it  might  have  remained  fo 
entire  a  fecr^t  between  his  confeilbr 


and  himfelf,  that  he  might  not  only 
have  deferred  making  his  converiion 
public,  but  have  performed  all  his 
.  ufual  offices  and  fervices  about  his 
majefty  as  be  had  ufed  to  do,  even 
at  his  devotions,  fo  that  no  man 
fhould  have  been  able  to  make  the 
leaft  difcovery,  But  that  his  con- 
feifor,  upon  great  deliberation,  and 
conference  with  many  other  .very 
learned  men,  had  declared  to  him, 
that  what  he  propofed  was  fo  abfo- 1 
lutely  unlawful,  and  incohfiftent 
with  the  catholic  religion,  that  it 
was  not  in  the  power  of  his  holinefs, 
himfelf  to  difpenfe  with  it.  This  be- 
ing his  cafe,  he  had  no  more  to  do 
but  to  defire  that  the  whole  relation 
might  be  candidly  made  to  his  ma- 
jefty, and  a  gracious  interpretation 
obtained  from  him  upon  it.  The 
marquis  (who  was  lefs  furprized  than 
his  other  friend,  as  having  lefs  opi- 
nion of  his  conftancy  in  that  parti- 
cular thau  the  other  had)  anfwered 
him  only,  that  he  was  forry  for  the 
change,  and  that  he  fhould  give  his 
majefty  a  full  relation  of  it,  and  fo 
returned  to  Bruflels, 

Within  a  few  days  he  came  thi- 
ther ;  and  having  been  very  careful 
to  be  fi>ft  feen  by  Don  Juan  at  mafs, 
he  attended  the  king,  who  received 
him  without  any  cloudinefs  looking 
upon  him  of  the  fame  religion  as  he 
bad  before  underftood  him4o-be. 
His  majefty  making  himfelf  very 
merry  with  his  other  friend  for  be- 
ing fo  weak  a  man  as  to  imagine, 
that  he  could  be  couftant  to  any 
profeflion*  and  made  himfelf  no  lei's 
merry  with  the  perfon  himfelf  upon 
his  fcruples  of  confeience,  and  the 
method  and  circumftance9  of  his 
conversion,  and  upon  father  Court- 
ney's having  gained  fb  great  an  af- 
cendant  over  his  underftanding ; 
and  he  was  yexy  glad  to  compound 
$4  fox 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ I 


4?  ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786.' 


~7br  being  laughed  at,  and  could 
bear  a  better  part  in  it,  than  w  the 
ferious  debate  of  it.  He  was  ex- 
ceedingly troubled  to  find  Jiis  other 
friend,  whofe  true  affection  to  him 
ft'ad  been  upon  all  occafions  fo  ma- 
nifeft,  fo  fevere  that  he  could  not 
difiemble  it  in  his  countenance  with 
him ;  and  when  the  other  renew- 
ed all  profeffions  of  kindnefs  and 

•  friendship  to  him,  againft  all  per- 
Sbns  and  all  pretences  in  the  world, 

!  and  defired  that  this  alteration  in 
Hinv  which  was  the  effect  of  con- 
science, and  for  his  own  falvation, 
might  not  deprive  him  of  his  friend- 
ship, or  alienate  his  affections  from 
him,  he  anfwered  him  very  roundly, 
that  he  could  not  diffemble  the  trou- 
ble ht  fuftained,  nor  could  bear  that 
reproach  which  would  fall  upon 
kimfelf  if  he  were  thought  not  to 
be  difpleafed  with  it  j  that  he  knew 
not  how  he  could  hereafter  bear  any 
part  in  the  king's  councils,  or  how 
he  could  be  communicated  with; 
that  though  the  profeffions  he  made 
to  him  of  the  conftancy  of  his  friend- 
ship might  be  at  that  time  accord- 
ing to  his  intention,  yet  that  he  had 
Ao  reafon  to  believe  that  they,  who 
had  power  to  prevail  over  him  in 
this  affair  of  the  higheft  importance, 
would  ever  be  contented  that  he 
ihould  retain  a  friendfhip  with  a 
perfon  fo  oppofite  to  all  their  prac- 
tices, and  alt  their  principles; 
againft  which  they  would  always  be 
able  to  fpeak  more  pertinently,  both 
5n  reafon  and  religion,  than  they  had 
done  in  any  other  part  of  his  con- 
Terfion ;  which  he^took  very  heavily, 
and  could  not  forbear  undervaluing 
and  envying,  againft  the  whole  body 
of  them,  with  more  reproach  and 
Contempt,  than  could  have  been  ex- 
pected from  fo  young  a  prdfelyte. 

-•  The' king  had  welt  forefeen  that  he 
%  4 


could  no  longer  wear  the  character 
either  oif  his  fecretary  or  counfellor, 
and  it  may  be,  that  confideration 
had  made  him  condefcend  to  be  fo 
merry  upon  the  conversion  j  and  he 
was  very  well  content  that  his  friend 
mould  plainly  declare  to  him  in  his 
prefence  the  neceffity  of  his  idedin* 
ing  being  prefent  at  fiiture  councils, 
and  of  returning  the  fignet  to  the 
king;  with  which,  how  much  fo- 
ever  he  was  furprifed  or  difpleafed, 
he  prefently  fubmitted,  and  deliver- 
ed the  fignet  the  next  day. 

This  was  a  change  he  did  not 
expect  his  converfion  would  hare 
produced,  but  had  premifed  him- 
felf  more  advantage  from  his  cha- 
racter in  his  new  religion  than  in 
his  old  5  that  there  was  no  more 
hope  now  of  the  proteftant  intereft, 
and  therefore  that  the  catholic  muft 
be  now  wholly  applied  to,  arid  that , 
thofe  tranfactions  could  pais  through 
no  other  hand  but  his  5  and  that 
as  the  confidence  of  the  catholics 
Should  be  able  to  advance  the  king's 
fervice,  fo  his  fo  near  relation  to 
his  royal  perfon  and  councils  would 
give  him  great  credit  with  the  ca- 
tholics. Such  a  crop  of  imagina- 
tions and  preemptions  was  always 
his  firft  harveft  upon  any  notable 
new  defign  or  enterprise^  but  this 
new  exclufion  demolished  all  thefe 
hopes,  and  was  a  greater  difcovery 
of  the  king's  dulike  of  what  he  had 
done,  than  in  his  calculation  of  ftate 
he  thought  feafonable  for  his  majef- 
ty's  fervice,  and  upon  that  ground 
was  the  lefs  expected  by  him ;  and 
this  he  never  forgave  his  old  friend, 
though  he  continued  to  make  the 
4ame  profeffions,  and  feemed  to 
take  it  very  unkindly  that  it  Should 
be  thought  that  religion  Should  be 
able  to  make  any  impreffion  on  him 
with  reference  to,  the  friendships 

whidi 


igitized  by  L»00( 


CHARACTERS. 


41 


irhich  he  l*ad  contra&ed.  After 
tiie  firft  congratulation  for  the  be- 
coming a  Chriftian,  which  thofe 
people  do  very  liberally  make  for  a 
lew  days,  he  found  no  funftiine  from 
the  change  of  his  climate  j  that  no 
proffer  of  place  or  penfion  came 
from  Spain ;  and  that  the  pope,  to 
*^hom  he  had  made  an  early  com- 
munication of  his  forrow  for,  and 
denunciation  of  his  former  herefy, 
ba4  returned  him  no  dther  exalted 
expreffions,  which  he  expected,  than 
STu  corrverfus,  cowverte  fratres  tuas ; 
that  Don  Juan's  own  countenance 
^vas  fo  far  from  fhedding  more  gra- 
ces towards  him  than  it  had  formerly 
done,  that  it  was,  in  truth  more  re* 
ierved;  for  the  Marquis  of  Carra- 
cina,  and  efpecially  Don  Alonzo> 
-who  were  not  pleafed  witK  the  fre- 
quent admiffion  he  had  to  Don  Ju- 
an, and  his  ferene  countenance  to- 
wards him,  had  fent  their  adver- 
fifements  into  Spain  little  to  his  ad- 
vantage, and  the  prince  had  re- 
ceived fome  reprehenfion  from 
'thence  for  his  conferring  thofe  gra- 
ces. But  there  happened  fhortly 
after  another  inftance,  which  mani- 
fefted  enough '  what  opinion  that 
court  had  of  hiiri.  The  treaty  be- 
tween the  two  crowns  being  ap- 
pointed to  be  at  Fontarabia  between 
the  cardinal  and  Don  Louis  de  Ha- 
ro,  Don  Louis,  who  always  pro- 
feffed  great  affe&ion  to  the  king, 
fent  him  a  private  advice  by  his  re- 
fident  in  tjiat  court,  Sir  Henry  Ben- 
nett, to  find  himfelf  there,  profef- 
jfing  that  he  would  do  all  he  could 
to  engage  the  cardinal,  that  the  two 
-crowns,  being  once  reconcited, 
might  both  engage  in  his  majeuy's 
intefeft,  and  at  the  fame  time  ad- 
vifed  that  his  majefty  would  come 
with  as  fmall  a  train  as  he  could 
fitly  do,  and  particularly  that  by  no 


means  he  would  bring  that  perfoa 
with  hhn  ;  which  was  a  fufficient 
Evidence  .  of  prejudice.  Notwith- 
standing which,  the  cardinal  having 
exprefsly  refufed  to  grant  a  faffc 
conduct  to  his  majefty  to  pafs  th  rough 
France,  and  as  exprefsly  diftbaded 
his  going  to  the  treaty,  as  a  thing 
which  would  prove  to  his  difadvan* 
tage,  and  disenable  his  eminence, 
by  the  noife  of  it,  to  do  thofe  good 
offices  for  his  majefty  wtiich  ke  was 
refolved  to  do  in  his  abfence,  thft 
king  thought  fit  to  follow  the  ad* 
vice  of  the  other  favourite,  and  to 
make  a  journey  thither  through 
France  incognito.  And  to  that  pur- 
pofe  he  made  choice  of  four  or  fi  vfc 
fervants  to  attend  him  j  and  though 
he  liked  very  well  that  gentleman*s 
company  in  thofe  jolly  journies, 
yet  at  this  time,  the  intimation  hs 
Bad  from  Spain,  and  the  knowledge 
he  had  of  the  cardinal's  particular 
and  irreconcileable  difpleafure  to- 
wards him,  made  him  plainly  dif* 
cern  that  it  was  by  no  means  fit  to 
have  him  with  him.  However*  the 
other  in  the  end  prevailed  fo  fat 
with  him,  for  the  experience  he 
had  of  the  ways  and  places  through 
which  they  were  to  pafs,  tha't  he  was 
admitted  to  attend,  together  witji 
the  marquis  of  Ormond,  Daniel 
ONeale,  and  three  other  fervants  f 
and  in  that  manner  they  went  froni 
Bruflels  with  all  the  fecrefy  imagin- 
able ;  nor  was  it  known  in  many 
days  after  whither  the  king  was 
gone.  The  king  was  contented  to 
fee  as  many  confiderable  places  as 
were  within  any  diftance  of  the  ways 
through  which  theyTwere  to  pais, 
and  the  other,  who  was  the  fole 
conductor,  led  him  fo  far  about, 
that  the  treaty  was  upon  the  mat- 
ter concluded  before  the  king  came 
to  the  borders  j  and  then,  upon  tht 

general 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


4«       ANNUAL   REGISTER,  178  & 


general  intelligence  that  the  treaty- 
was  at  an  end,  and  Don  Louis  re- 
turned to  Madrid,  though  the  king 
had  fent  the  marquis  of  Ormond 
dire&ly  to  Fontirabia  to  know  the 
truth,  and  to  inform  Don  Louis  of 
his  majefty's  arrival,  yet  without 
Haying  for  his  return,  the  other 
perfuaded  the  king,  that  he  ought 
to  make  all  pofljhle  hafte  to  Ma- 
drid j  and  fo  far  prevailed,  that  they 
went  as  far  as  Saragofa  in  the  king* 
dom  of  Arragpn,  where  they  re- 
ceived clear  information  that  Don 
Louis  remained  full  at  the  place  of 
the  treaty.  And  within  a  day  afi 
ter,  an  cxprefs  arrived  from  thence, 
with  all"  the  importunity  from  the 
marquis  of  Ormond  and  Sir  Henry 
Bennett,  that  his  majefty  would 
make  all  pofftble  haile  thither ;  lag- 
nifying  further  the  prejudice  he 
had  fuffered  by  the  delays  he  had 
made  in  his  journey,  and  the  un- 
expremble  difpleafure  Don  Louis 
had  conceived  upon  his  purpofe  of 
going  to.  Madrid,  which  in  that 
conjun&ure  would  have  occasioned 
great  diforder  in  the  King  of  Spain's - 
affairs,  all  which   made  deep  im- 

Sreilions  in  his  majefty,  and  made 
im  difcern  how  inconvenieut  the 
fanciful  humour  of  his  guide  had 
been  to  him.    The  king's  reception 
at  Fontarabia,   and  his  treatment 
there,  was  agreeable  to  the  Spani- 
ard's cuftom  in  thofe  occafions,  full 
:  and   application   to  his 
and  in  the  fhort  ftay  he 
re,  the  other  perfon  (who 
a    all    the    difadvantages 
1  before)  had,  by  his  pure 
md  addrefs,  wrought  him' 
into  the  good  opinion  of 
s,  and  the  other  grandees 
mpanied  him,  that  when 
returned  through  France 
sis,  be  found  encourage* 


ment  to  go  dire&ly  for  Madrid, 
where  he  was  well  received  by  the 
king,  and  fupplied  with  at  leaft 
two  or  three  thoufand  pound  fier- 
ling,  and  ftaid  there  until  he  heard 
of  the  great  change  of  affairs  in 
England,  and  of  his  majefty 's  re- 
ception there,  where  he  found  him 
in  the  full  poflellion  and  adminiura- 
tion  of  his  regal  power. 

By  this  time  the  king  was  en* 
gaged  very  far  in  his  treaty  with 
Portugal  for  the  marriage  with  the 
queen,  all  particulars  being  in  the 
truth  upon  the  matter  agreed  upon; 
which  no  fooner  came  to  this  gen-» 
tleman's  knowledge  but  he  exprened 
a  marvellous  dillike  of  it,  and 
(without  any  capacity  which  might 
entitle  him  to  that  prefumption) 
fuggefted  all  things  to  the  king 
which  the  Spanifh  ambaflador  could 
fuggeft  to  him,  and  which  were  moft 
like  to  make  fome  impreflion  upon, 
his  majefty ;  .fuch  as  the  deformity 
of  her  perfon,  the  number  of  he? 
years,  and  her  incapacity  of  hear^ 
ing  children  j  and  at  the  fame  time 
made  offer  of  the  choice  of  two, 
young  ladies  of  the  houfe  of  Medici, 
of  fuch  rare  perfection  in  beauty 
as  his  fancy  coujej,  describe,  .  and 
(which  is  very  wonderful)  prevailed^ 
fo  far  privately  with  the  king,  to 
fend  him  incognito  into  Italy  to  fee 
thofe  ladies,  with  a  prornife  npt  to 
proceed  further  in  the  treaty  with 
Portugal  till  his  return;  but  upon 
a  fhort  reflection  upon  the  diil^CN 
nour  of  this  fciign,  his  majefty  put 
a  quick  end  to  it,  renewing  his  old 
obfervations  of  the  humour  and  pre-, 
fumptions  of  the  man.  /  How  many 
extravagant  proportions  and  de- 
fig  ns  he  afterwards  run  into,  till  he 
fo  far  provoked  the  king  that  he 
gave  orders  for  his  apprehenfion  ant} 
commitment  to  the  Tower,  is  known 

to, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


C.HARA.C  T  E  ,R  S. 


4* 


to  all  men  j  and  k*w*many  more  he 
3*  like  hereafter  to  fall  into  of  the 
iame  kind,  can  hardly  beforefeen, 
even  by  thofe  who  bed  underftand 
fiia  unlimited  ambition,  and  the  reli- 
lefluefs  of  his  humour. 
.  I  did  not  intend  to  have  reflected 
upon  fq  many  particulars,  much  lefs 
to  have  taken  any  furyey*  of  I  lie  a,c-r 
tive  life  of  this  very  coniidprable 
perfbn ;  but  it  was  hardly  poli^ble 
to  give  any  lively  defcription  of  bis- 
mature  and  humour,  or  any  charap- 
ter  even  of  his  perfon  and  competi- 
tion, without  reprefenting  forne  in- 
ftances  of  particular  actions  5  which, 
fceihg  fo  contradictory  to  themfelves, 
and  fo  different  from,  the  fame  ef- 
fects which  the  fame  caufes  natural- 
ly produce  ip.  o^her  me^can  qnly 
qualify  a  man  to  malte  a  conjecture' 
what  his  true  conftitution  and  na- 
ture was  5  and  at  bed  it  will  be  but 
a  conjecture,  fince  it  is  not  pofiible 
to  make  a  pofitive  conclufiori  or  de- 
duction from  the  whole  or  any  part 
pf  it,  but  that  another  conclulion 
may  be  as  reafonably  -made  from 
fome  other  action  and  difcovery.  It 
''is  pity  that  his  whole  life  fhould  not 
t>e  exactly  and  carefully  written, 
and  it  would  be  as  much  pity  that 
any  body  elfe  fhould  do  it  but  him.- 
ielf,  who  could  only  do  it  to  the 
life,  and  make  tne  truefb  defcrip- 
tions  of  all  his  faculties,  and  paf- 
,  fions,  and  appetites,  and  the  full 
operation  of  them ;  and  he  would 
do  it  with  as  much  ingenuity  and 
integrity  as  any  man  could  do,  and 
espofe  nimfelf  as  much  to  the  cen- 
iure  and  reproach  of  other  men,  as 
the  malice  of  his  greateft  enemy 
could  do ;  for  in  truth  he  does  be- 
lieve many  of  thofe  particular  ac- 
tions, which  fevere  and  rigid  men 
do  look  upon  as  disfigurings  of  the 
other  beautifu)  part  of  his  life,  to 


be  great  luftre  and  ornament  to  itf 
and  would  father  expefe  it  nakedly 
to  have  the  indifcretion  and  unwar* 
rantahle  part  of  it  cenfured,  thai* 
that  the  fancy  and  high  projection, 
mould  be  concealed,  it  being  an 
infirmity  that  he  would  not  pari* 
with,  to  bejieye  that  a  very  ill 
tting  fubtilly  and  warily  defigned, 
and  well  and  bravely  executed,  is 
much  worthier  of  a  great  fpirit,  than, 
a  faint  acquiefcence  under  any  in-  ' 
felicity*  merely  to  contain  himfelf 
within  the  bounds  of  Innocence  $ 
and  yet  if  any  man  concludes  frorav 
hence  that  he  is  of  a  fierce  and  inw 
petuous  difpofitjon,  and  prepare^ 
to  undertake  the  worft  enterprize* 
be  will  find  eaufe  enough  to  believfc 
himfelf  miftaken,  and  that  he  hatl^ 
foftnefs  and  tendernefs  enough  about 
him  to  reltrain  him,  not  only  from 
ill,  but  even  from,  unkind  and  ill- 
natured  actions.  No  man  loves 
more  pamonately  and  violently,  at 
leaft  makes  more  lively  exprelfion* 
of  it  3  and  that  his  hatred  and  ma- 
lice, which  fometimes  break  out 
from  him  with  great  impetuofity* 
as  if  he  would  deftroy  all  he  dif- 
likes,  is  not  compounded  propor- 
tionably  out  of  the  fame  fiery  mate- 
rials, appears  in  this,  that  he  would 
not  only,  upon  very  mort  warning 
and  very  ealy  addrefs^  truft  a  man 
who  had  done  him  injury  to  a  very 
notable  degree,  but.  even  fuch  * 
man,  as  he  himfelf  had  provoked 
beyond  the  common  bounds  of  re- 
conciliation :  he  doth  not  believe 
that  any  body  he  loves  fo  well,  can 
be  unloved  by  any  body  elfe ;  and, 
that  whatever  prejudice  is  contract- 
ed againft  him,  he  could  remove  it, 
if  he  were  but  admitted  to  confe* 
rence  with  them  which  own  it.  No 
man  can  judge,  hardly  guefs,  by 
what  he  jiath  done  formerly,  what 

be 


Digitized  by  VjOO( 


44  ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


he  will  do  in  the  time  to  come; 
whether  his  virtues  will  have  the  bet- 
ter, and  triumph  oyer  his  vanities, 
or  whether  the  ftrength  and  vigour 
af  his  ambition,  and  other  exorbi- 
tances, will  be  able  to  fupprefs,  and 
even  extinguifh  his  better  difpofed 
inclinations  and  resolutions,  the  fuc* 
eefs  of  which  will  always  depend 
tipon  circutrrftances  and  contingen- 
cies, and  from  fomewhat  without, 
and  not  within  himfelf.  I  mould 
not'  imagine  that  ever  his  activity, 
will  be  attended  with  fuccefs  or  fe- 
Curity ;  but  without  doubt,  if  ever 
his  reflection^  upon  the  vanity  of  the 
world  difpofe  him  to  contemn  it, 
mnd  to  betake  himfelf  to  a  contem- 
plation of  God,  and  nature,  or  to 
a  ftrici    and   feyere   ^ovation^   to 


which  he  hath  fbmetimes  fome  temp* 
tation,  if  not  inclination;  or  if  a 
fatiety  in  wreilling  and  ftruggltag 
in  the  world,  or  a  defpair  of  prof- 
pering  by  tbofe  ftrugglings,  iball 
prevail  with  him  to  abandon  thofe 
con  tells,  and' retire  at  a  good  dif- 
tance  from  £he  court  to  his  books 
and  a  contemplative  life,  he  may 
live  to  a  great  and  a  long  age ;  and 
will  be  able  to  leave  fucn  informa- 
tion and  advert ifements  of  all  kinds 
tqjpofterity,  that  he  will  be  looked 
upon  as  a  great  mirror  by  which 
well-difpofed  men  may  learn  to 
drefs  themfelves  in  the  beft  orna- 
ments, and  to  lpend  their  lives  to 
the  beft  advantage  of  their  country. 

Montfetier,  April  166^ 


NATURAL 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


C  «  3 


NATURAL    HISTORY. 


7 he  Natural  Hiftory  of  tie  different 
Serpents  in  the  Eaft-Indies,  from 
the  Efajs  of  Monf.  F.  d'Obfon- 
ville,  on  the  nature  of  various  fo- 
reign Animals  $  tranjlated  hy  T. 
fiolcroft. ' 

THESE  animals,  which,  as 
they  wind  and  twift  them- 
lelves;  advance  filently  by  a  pro- 
greflive  undulation  j  and  when  they 
fleep  or  reft,  form  their  bodies  into 
a. number  of  circles,  of  which  the 
head  is  the  centre:  which,  after 
they  have  caft  their  {kins,  appear  all 
at  once  with  a  renovated  brilliancy ; 
thefe  animals,  fo  dangerous  if  they 
are  irritated,  were  the  fymbols  of 
wifdom,  prudence,  and  immorta- 
lity, among  the  ancient  philofa- 
phers.  They  are  .divided  into  a 
multitude  of  fpecies,  that  differ  by 
the  inteniity  of  their  ppifon,  the  fize 
of  their  bodies,  the  colours  with 
which  their  ikins  are  fpotted  ;  and, 
though  moft  common  in  marihy 
grounds,  are  found  alfo  in  the  fea, 
on  rocky  mountains,  and  in  barren 
places.  They  are  all  carnivorous, 
and  there  are  fome  fpecies  that  de- 
vour the  others.  I  fhall  fpeak  par- 
ticularly oi*  fome  of  thofe  only  that 


are-  leaft  known  in  fcurope,  and 
which  I  have  had  opportunities  of 
obferving  with  considerable  atten- 
tion. 

Serpent  Marin,  or  Sea  Serpent  *.-»• 
The  approach  of  the  coafts  of  India, 
is  almoft  always  known  by  thefe 
Serpents,  which  are  met  at  from, 
twenty  to  thirty  leagues  diftance. 
Their  bite  may  be  mortal,  if  not 
timely  counteracted  by  fome  of  thp 
fpecincs  hereafter  mentioned.  Thefe 
reptiles  appeared  to  me  to  be  from, 
three  to  four  feet  long;  I  do  not 
know  if  there  are  any  larger.  I  do 
not  believe  they  are  precifely  am- 
phibious, that  is  to  lay,  that  they 
have  the  power  alfo  of  living  on 
land,  I  have  often  feen  them  on 
the  more,  but  they  have  always  been 
thrownlhere  by  the  furges,  and  were 
either  dead  or  dying: 

Serpent  couronne.  The  crowned  or 
hooded  Serpent.  This  species  ex- 
tends from  five  to  (ix  feet  in  length  ; 
the  ikin  is  divided  in  fmall  regular 
compartments,  which  being  con* 
traded  and  feparated,  more  or  lefs, 
with  green,  yellow,  and,  brown, 
have  a  tolerably  beautiful  effect.  It 
is  called  hooded  from  the  Portu- 
guefe  word  capelo,  becaufe  it  has  a 


*  The  ferpejit  h  called  Mar,  in  Perfian }  Hai,  and  Laiffa,m  Arabic  5  NeaBt 
or  Pampou,  in  Tamoul 5  and  Samp,  Kakoutiax  Boura>  and  Tcbilli,  in  Indoftan. 
The  fea  fei  pent,  Cadel  Pampou,  in  Tamoul.  The  hooded  feroent,  NaUe  Pampou, 
In- Tamoul;  Cokra,  in  Indottan.  The  javeline,  green,  or  nying  -ferpent,  Paehe 
Pampou,  in  Tamoul;  and  Marperendc>  in  Perfian.  Tht  viper,  Marafi,  in 
Per&uv  '  . 

.     loofe 


Digitized  by  VjOO( 


4«      AtttttiAt  Register,  1786. 


looie  dun  under  its  head,  which  can 
be  extended  to  both  fides;  and, 
-when  it  is  fo,  forms  a  fort  of  hood, 
on  which  is  drawn  the  refemblance 
•lraod  of  a  pair  of  fpe&acles.  This 
loofe  lkin  never  takes  that  form  but 
when  the  animal  rears  itfelf,  agitat- 
ed by  fear,  rage,  or  aftonifhment ; 
in  a  word,  by  fome  object  that  af- 
fe&s  it  forcibly.  In  which  cafe  it 
faifes  the  ford  part  of  its  body  to1 
nearly  a  third  of  its  length ;  its 
lead  is  then  alfnoft  in  continual  ar> 
tion,  it  feems  to  look  all  around, 
"but  remains  in  the  fame  place,  or 
creeps  flowly  ott  its  hind  parts. 
'Wnence  this  fpecies  Is  in  India, 
tnore  than  any  other,  the  emblem 
ibf  prudence;  but  when  it  eats, 
Heeps,  or  is  purfued,  its  hood  is  not 
extended,  becaufe  the  mufcles  are 
then  either  relaxed  t>r  differently 
employed.  This  fefpent  is  an  ob- 
ject of  fuperftitious  Veneration  among 
the  Gentoo  Indians,  founded  on 
fome  traits  of  legendary  mytholo- 
gy: they  feldom  name  it  without 
adding  fome  epithet,  fuch  as  the 
royal,  the  good;  the  holy.  Some 
01  them  are  happy  to  fee  it  go  and 
come  in  their  houfes  3  whence  many 
have  received  irreparable  injuries :, 
for  it  is  very  poffible  to  hurt  it  unin- 
tentionally, without  feeing  it,  or 
.  during  Heen,  and  it  immediately 
revenges  itfelf  with  fury.  Its  bite 
is  fometimes  mortal  in  two  or  three 
hours,  efpecially  if  the  poiibn  has 
penetrated  the  larger  veffels  or  muf- 
cles.   - 

This  reptile,  more  than  any 
other,  is  attentive  to  the  found  of  a 
fort  of  flageolet  or  pipe.  The  In- 
dian jugglers  play  a  certain  mono- 
tonous air,  flow  and  unharmonious, 
which  at  nrft  feems  to  create  afto- 
niihment,  prefently  it  advances, 
Hops,  rears  itfelf,  an4  extends  its 


hood ;  fometimes  it  will  remain  aft 
hour  in  that  portion,  arid  then,  by 
gentle  inclinations  of  the  head,  in* 
dicate  that  thefe  founds  iniprefs  4 
fenfe  of  pleafure  on  its  organs.  Of 
tljis  I  nave  fever al  times  beert  con- 
vinced, by  proofs  made  on  this 
kind  of  ferpenis,  which  have  ne- 
ver been  trained  to  that  exercife* 
and  particularly  upon  one  that  I 
caught  in  rriy  garden.  I  do  not 
however  deny,  that  fome  are  trained 
to  this  exercife  \  the  jugglers,  when 
"called  to  clear  a  houfe  of  them,  will 
fometimes  artfully  drop  one  of  thefe} 
which  will  immediately  appear  at 
the  found  of  the  pipe>  to  which  it 
has  been  accuftomed. 

Serpent  ja'velot^  or  greek  Serpent. 
The  green  ferpent  is  found,  in  the 
Indies  and  the  countries  eatt  of  the* 
Peninfula,  four  arid  five  feet  long  J 
its  bite  is  held  to  be  at  lea  ft  as  dan- 
gerous as  that  of  the  hooded  fnake  t 
they  generally  remain  on  the  tops 
of  trees>  Watching  for  birds  and  in* 
fe6ts.  Sufpended  or  laid  along  the 
branches,  which  they  embrace  with 
the  tip  of  the  tail,  they  appear  im* 
moveable,  when,  prefently,  with  an 
ofcillatory  motion,  they  will  reach 
to  another  bough,  or  feizfe  upoil 
their  prey.  Hence  it  is  probable* 
that  ffom  a  fuperficial  view  of  the 
manner  in  which  thefe  reptiles  ob- 
tain their  fubfiftence,  fome  travel- 
lers have  faid,  that  they  have  a  par* 
ticular  delight  to  dart  upon  the  eyes 
of  paffengers.  For  my  own  part* 
I  am  well  perfuaded,  that  when 
they  dart,  or  rather  when  they  glide 
along  at  the  approach  of  roan,  it  is 
only  to  avoid  him,  except,  perhaps, 
when  they  have  been  wounded  or 
irritated;  foatleaft  has  it  happen* 
ed,  for  more  than  ten  times  that  T 
have  feen  them.  I  prefume,  that 
this  reptile  is  of  the  fame  fpecios 

with 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


NATURAL    HISfORl 


47 


ifrhh  one  of.  a  darker  colour,  found 
arifo  on  the  coaftsof  Perfia  and  Ara- 
bia, where  it  is  known  by  the  im- 
proper name  of  the  flying  terpen  t. 

Serpent  ampbijb<ena9  or  double- 
bended  Serpent*  Some  of  the  rep-, 
tiles,  elaffed  under  this  name,  are 
found  in  the  Indies  5  their  colour  is 
a  deep  dirty  brown,  mixed'  with  a 
tint  of  yellow,  their  fpots  fome- 
thing  darker  5  their  head  is  narrow, 
and  rounded  on  the  fides ;  and  their 
body,  which  is  feldom  more  than  a 
foot  long,  is  nearly,  from  one  end 
to  the  other,  about  the  thicknefs  of 
the  thumb.  One  confequence  of 
this  formation  is,  that  at  a  diftance 
the  tail  may  appear  to  have  been 
cut  off,  or  may  look  like  another 
head:  I  fay  at  a  diftance,  for  in 
fact,  it  has,  at  this  extremity,  a 
pointed  bit  of  flefh  that  refembles 
the  beginning  of  a  lizard's  tail,  and 
which  being  plucked  off,  begins  to 
grow  again.  Betides,  as  they  fel- 
dom remove  far  from  the  crevices 
of  rocks,  or  old  ruins,  it  is  very 
poflible,  that  they  may  have  been 
feen  at  the  entry  of  their  holes  re- 
tiring backwards.  However  this 
may  be,  and  without  pretending  to 
deny  the  poflibility  of  fuch'fports- 
of  nature,  it  is  certain,  and  I  am 
rayfelf  a  witnefs  of  it,  that  the  fpe- 
cies  to  which  they  have  given  the 
name  of  double-headed  ferpents, 
has,  in  reality,  but  one  head.  I 
never  knew  any  perfon  who  had 
been  bit  by  them,  but  I  have  been 
afiured  their  poifon  is  not  more  dan- 
gerous than  that  of  the  hooded  fer* 
pent. 

Serpent  poifon,  or  poifon  Serpent.— 
Among  the  ferpents  of  India,  that 
which  I  believe  to  be  moll  formi- 
dable is  but  about  two  feet  long, 
and  very  fmall.  Its  ikin  is  freckled 
with  little  traits  of  brown,  or  a  pale 


red,  and  contracted  with  a  ground 
of  dirty  yellow  :  it  is  moftly  found 
in  dry  and  rocky  places,  and  its  bite 
mortal  in  lefs  than  one  or  two  mi- 
nutes. ;In  the  year  1759,  and  in 
the  province  of  Cadapet,  I  faw  fe- 
veral  instances  of  it;  and  among 
others,  one  very  lingular,  in  tho 
midft  of  a  corps  of  troops,  com" 
manded  by  M.  de  Buffy.  An  In- 
dian Gentoo  merchant  perceived  a 
Mahometan  foldier  of  his  acquaint- 
ance going  to  kill  one  of  thefe  rep- 
tiles, which  he  had  found  deeping 
under  his  packet.  The  Gentoo  flew 
to  beg  its  life,  protefting,  that  it 
would  do  ho  hurt  if  it  was  not  firft 
provoked  5  palling,  at  the  fame 
time,  his  hand  under  its  belly  to 
carry  it  out  of  the  camp,  when 
fuddenly  it  tv^ifted  round,  and  bit 
his  little  ringer  j  upon*  which  this  * 
unfortunate  martyr  of  a  fanatic  cha- 
rity gave  a  ihriek,  took  a  few  fteps, 
add  fell  down  infenfible.  They 
flew  to  his  affiftance,  applied  the 
ferpent-ftone,  fire,  and  fcarifica- 
tions,  but  they  were  all  ineffectual, 
his  .blood  was  already  coagulated.. 
About  an  hour  after  I  faw  the  body 
as  they  were  going  to  burn  it,  an4 
I  thought  I  perceived  fome  indica- 
tions, of  a  complete  diffolution  of 
the  blood. 

I  do  not  believe  there  are  many 
Gentoos.enthufiafiic  enough  to  be- 
come the  victims  of  fuch  abfurd  be- 
nevolence ;  feveral,  at  pre  fen  t,  make 
no  great  difficulty  of  killing  thefe 
ferpents,  or  at  lea  ft  of  feeing  them 
killed.  ,  It  is  however  certain,  that  - 
raoft  of  them  are  unwilling  to  aflift 
in  killing  the  hooded  ferpent,  and 
efpecially  thofe  which  creep  into, 
and  are  therefore  under  the  protec- 
tion of  their  temples. 

Serpent  bru/an,  or  burning  Serpent. 
This  reptile  is  nearly  of  the  lams 

form 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


4$ 


A  N  N  UAL   REGISTER  1785. 


form  with  the  laft-mentioned :  its 
ikin  is  not  quite  fo  deep  a  brown, 
and  is  fpeckled  with    dark   green 
fpots  j  its  poifon  is  almoft  as  dan- 
gerous, but  it  is  lefs  a&ive,  and  its 
effects  are  very  different :  in  fome 
perfons  it  is  a  de  --ouring  fire,  which, 
as  it  circulates  through  the  veins, 
prefently  occafions  death ;  the  blood 
diflblves.  into  a   lymphatic   liquor, 
refembling  thin  broth,  without  ap- 
parently having  paused  through  the 
intermediate  Date  of  coagulation, 
and  runs  from  eyes,  nofe,  and  ears, 
and  even   through  the  pores.    In 
other  fubje&s,  the  poifon  feems  to 
have  changed  the  very  nature  of  the 
humours  in  diflblving  them;    the 
ikin  is  chapped,  and  becomes  fcaly, 
the  hair  falls  off,  the  members  are 
tumified,  the  patient  feels  all  over 
his  body  the  moft  racking  pains, 
then  numbnefs,  and  is  not  long  in 
perifhing.     It  is  faid,  however,  that 
people  have  been  cured  by  remedies 
well  and  foon  applied.     Be  that  as 
it  may,  it  feems  to  me,  that  the 
poifon  of  thefe  different  reptiles  is. 
in  general  more  powerful,  the  more 
they   live   in  hot  and   dry  places, 
where  they  feed  upon  infeclts  that 
are  full  of  faline,  volatile,  and  acri- 
monious particles. 

Serpent    nain,    or    dwarf  Serpent* 

One  day,  as  I  was  removing  fome 

ftones  in  the  Indies,  I  found  two  of 

thefe  little  animals,  which  at  firft 

fight  might  be  taken  for  worms.     I 

took  up  the  ftrohgeft,  and  amufed 

mvfelf  fome  time  in  confidering  it 

With  attention.    Its  body  was  near 

§ve  inches  long,  and  about  the  fixth: 

Dart  nf  an  inch  in  diameter  5  and 

;arnt,   that  it  rarely 

ches  in  length.*  Its 

ty  brown,  fpottcd  on 

lall  lengthened  points 

lour;  the  belly  was 


thinly  fpeckled,  and  of  a  fomethirrf 
lighter  colour,  like  the  generality 
of  reptiles.  Its  eyes;  notwithftahd- 
ing  their  exceffive  fmallnefs,  were 
apparently  black  and  fparkling  ;  its 
mouth  was  exceedingly  wide,  info- 
much  that  without  the  lead  violence' 
I  could  introduce  a  body  of  more 
than  a  line  in  diameter;  its  teeth 
-were  as  fine  as  the  points  df  needles* 
but  fo  inert  and  compact,  that  it 
did  not  appear  po&ble  for  it  to  bite 
a  man,  or  at  leaft  for  it  to  penetrate 
beyond  the  epidermis.  The  chief 
of  the  village  where  I  was,  told  me, 
that  the  only  thing  to  be  appre- 
hended from  this  infeft  was,  left  K* 
mould  introduce  itfelf  into  the  mouth 
or  noftrils. 

Serpent  than,  or  giant  Serpent.—* 
The  mountains  leaft  frequented  in. . 
India  and  other  parts  of  Alia,  ferve 
for  the  retreat  of  a  race  of  ferpents 
that  I  call  Titan,  becaufe  they  grow 
to  the  length  of  twenty  and  twenty- 
five  feet,  and  even,  according  to 
fome,  to  half  as  much  more.  I 
never  faw  but  one  young  one,  flrat 
up  in  a  cage,  and  exceedingly  ill  at 
his  eafe.  It  was  eleven  or  twelve 
feet  long,  and  fourteen  or  fifteerf 
inches  in  circumference;  its  ikin 
>was  a  tawny  ground,  but  fpeckled 
with  colours  richly  varied,  though 
rather  dark.  They  fay  this  reptile 
furprizes  and  feeds  upon  large  ani- 
mals; but  whatever  may  be  faid 
upon  this  fubject,  its  form  feems  to 
indicate,  that  its  ftrength  cannot  be 
compared  to  that  of  a  crocodile  of 
equal  fize :  and  as  it  is  heavy,'  and 
not  common,  it  is,  in  reality,  one 
of  the  leaft  .dangerous  of  its  tribe. 
I  may  add,  with  refped  to  thefe  ani- 
mals, that  in  all  the  fpecies  I  have 
obferved,  thofe  which  were  of  thtf 
two  extremes  of  fize,  large,  and 
finall,  were  feweft  in  number. 

Natural 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


fcAtttRAL 

WOf'tfraf  ktfhry  of  the  Ichneumon  *  ) 
from  the  fame  Work. 

*  ry^HE  ancients  have  observed, 
JL  that  the  Ichneumon  is,  one 
bf  the  mod  formidable  enemies  of 
the  crocodile  at  his  birth  5  for  after 
lie  has'left  the  egg,  he  is  in  daily- 
danger  of  being  devoured  by  it  for 
the  firft  months.  Not  that  I  fuppofe 
the  ichneumon  to  have  any  particular 
land  inftiri&ive  antipathy  to  the  cro- 
codile \  he  equally  attacks  all  fpecies 
of  reptiles,  and  does  riot  fpare  even 
rats  or  poultry.  I  had  dn£  of  them 
very  young,  and  brought  it  up :  I 
fed  it  at  firft  with  milk,  and  after- 
wards with  baked  meat  mixed  with 
rice ;  and  caftrated  it  at  four  months' 
©Id.  It  became  tamer  than  a  cat, 
for  it  came  when  called,  and  follow- 
ed me*  though  at  liberty,  into  the 
Country. 

One  day  I  brought  him  a  fmall 
water-ferpent  alive,  being  defirous 
to  know  how  far  his  inftinft  would 
carry  him  againft  a  being  with  which 
he  was  hithei  to  unacquainted.  His 
firft  emotion  feemed  to  be  aftonifh- 
ment  mixed  with  anger,  for  his  hair 
became  ere&,  but  in  an  inftaht  after 
he  flipped  behind  the  reptile,  and 
with  a  remarkable  fwiftnefs  arid 
agility  leaped  upon  its  Head,  feizqd 
it,  and  crufhed  it  between  his  teeth. 
This  eflay  and  new  -aliment  feemed 
.  to  have  awakened  in  him  his  innate 
and  deftructive  voracity,  which,  till 
then,  had  given  way  to  the  gentle- 
faefs  of  his  education.  I  had  about 
<  my  houfe  feveral  curious  kinds  of 


tii  iro  kt 


49 


fowls,  among  which  he  had  beeri 
brought  up,  and  which,  till  then,  he 
had  Suffered  to  go  and  come  urimo- 
lefted  arid1  unregarded ;  but  a  few ' 
days  after,  when  he  found  himfejf 
alone,  he  ftrangled  them  every  one# 
eat  a  Kttle,  and,  as  it  feeiried  to  me/ 
had  drank  the  blood  of  two. 

The  Ichneumon  may  attain  the" 
fize  ofva  common  cat,  but  is  fome* 
thing  longer  in  the  body;  and  fhorter 
in  the  legs ;  its  fur  contains  tints  of 
white,  oif  broWn,  of  fawn-  colour,  and : 
of  a  dirty  grey  111 ver;  Thefe  fhade*, 
which  are  on  each  hair,  cbmpofe  a 
whole,  Which,  thoitgh  not  foft  to  the 
touch,  is  agreeable  to  the  eye.  Its 
form,  and  particularly  the  head,  is : 
fomething  like  that-  of  the  polecat  y 
its  eyes  arfe  fmall,  but  inflamed,  and 
fparkle  with  a  Angular  vivacity ;  its 
nails  are  not  very  pointed,  nor  do 
theyextepd  and  contract  like  thofeJ 
of  the  cat,  but  as  its  claws  arfc  ra- 
ther long,  it  feizes  between  its  paws, 
and  retains  with  fdfbe  the  prey  that 
it  devours. 

As  it  is  a  great  deftroyer  of  rep* 
tiles,  it  is  very  pdffible  that  it  may 
fbmetimeS  receive  a  bite,  in  which 
dafe  it  is  pretended;  that  it  has  re- 
courfe  to  the  plant  which  is  called 
after  its  name;  but  as  it  fubfifts, 
and  always  with  the  fame  inclina- 
tions, in  many  places  where  this 
plant  is  not  at  hand,  and  is  not,  even 
to  be  found,  perhaps  it  is  the  flefh 
of  the  reptiles  whicji  ferves  for  an 
antidote,  or  perhaps  it  is  the  qua* 
lity  of  its  blood  not  to  be  affe&ed 
by  this  kind  of  poifon." 


*  Tne  ichneumon,  better  known  by  the'  name  of  Mangouft  among  the  Indian 
Europeans,  is  called  Tkill,  in  Malabar  $  and  Monegoueffe,  in  Tamoul. 


Vol,  Will, 


E' 


Natural 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC- 


JO 


ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 


Natural  Hijfoty  of  tht  Thevangua, 
or  Tatonneur  *  5  from  the  f%mct 

"  rT^UE  Thevangua  lives  retired 
X  among  the  rocks  and  woods, 
•f  the  molt  folitary  and  fouthern 
parts  of  India,  and  in  the  irland  of 
Ceylon.  Notwithflanding  fome  fi- 
mUarity  of  organization,  he  neither 
.  appertains  to  the  monkey  nor  makis 
fpecies.  TJbisrace  is  pure,  feparate, 
swuLdiftinct,  as  well  in  conformation 
as  in  faculties  and  manners;  and  as 
he  is  little  known,  I  fhall  give  fome 
description  of  his  form,  and  parti- 
cularly of  his  chara&eriftic  habits. 

The  Thevangua  is  quadrumane, 
and  would  be  well  defcribed  by  the 
name  of  the  pigmy  cyuocephalus 
mgbfwalker.  In  1753,  one  of  thofe 
Indian  pioneers,  who  always  wan- 
der with  their  families,  fold  me 
one.  He  was  not  quite  a  foot  high 
when  erect,  though  I  have  heard 
they  are-  fometimes  a  little  taller  : 
mine  was  quite  formed,  and,  during 
a  year  that  I  kept  him,  I  could  not 
lindthat  he  had  increafed  in  height. 
His  ears  and  the  back  part  of  his 
Lead  re  fern  bled  thofe  of  the  monkey, 
but    his  front  was  proportionably 


large  and  more  Battened ;  his  nofe, 
as  Sender  and  more  ihort  than  that 
of  the  polercat,  projected  juft  be- 
low the  eyes,  fomething  like  the 
muzzle  of  a  frnall  Spanifh  dog  j  his 
mouth,  exceedingly  wide  and  well 
garnifhed,  was  armed  with  four 
long  and  pointed  canine  teeth  ^  his 
eyes  large,  and  even  with  the  face, 
the  iris  apparently  of  a  brown-grey, 
mixed  with  a  tint  of  yellow  $  his 
neck  fhort,  his  body  very  long,  and 
his  fize,  above  his  hips,  at  leali 
three  inches  in  circumference.  I 
had  him  caftrated,  and  his  tefticles, 
though  proportionably  very  large* 
were  abfUutely  ihnt  up  in  the  bel- 
ly $  his  penis  was  well  detached 
from  his  body,  and  covered  with  a 
prepuce* 

Many  other  parts,  likewife,  of 
thefe  Angular  animals,  appear  to  be, 
formed  in  miniature  on  the  model 
of  man.  Thus  they  have  no  tail, 
their  buttocks  are  ftefhy,  and  with- 
out callofitiesj  their  bread  large* 
their  hands  and  arms  well  turned, 
and  fo  are  their  legs,  except  that 
their  great  toes  are  too  much  fepa- 
parated,  like  thofe  of  the  monkey  + : 
the  hair  of  their  head  and  back  is  of 

a  dirty 


^  *  The  animal  I  defcribe  by  the  name  of  Tatonneur  (creeper)  on  account  of  his. 
mode  cf  walking,  is  well  characterized  in  'India  by  the  Taraoul  word  Thevan- 
gua. He  is  called  Tohgre  likewife  j  that  is  to  fay,  the  deeper.  This  is  the 
sfoimal  which  M.  de  Button  has  called  Loris  (after  the  article  Mak:s)  which 
name  was  given  it  by  the  Dutch,  who  faw  it  in  the  ifland  of  Ceylon.  I  prefume, 
that  at  a  diftance  they  imagined  they  difcovered  a  rtfemblance  between  the  cry 
of  this  animal  and  that  or  a  parrot,  realty  called  Loris,  which  is  found  in  the 
iflcs  to~the*aft  of  India.  Such  reiemblances  naturally  occafion  mifunderftancU 
ings.  ' 

t  The  figure  .of  the  Thevangua,  or  Loris,  in  M.  de  Buffon/is  very  correct, 
except  that  the  bones,  and  elhecially  the  articulations  of  the  hands  and  feet,  do 
not  appear  fo  prominent  in  the  living  animal.  But  fuch  little,  irregularities  are  to 
be  found  in  the  features. of  every  fubject,  as  foon  as  the  flefti  and  mufcles  becomt 
dry,  and  are  deprived  of  that  roundnefs  which  gives  beauty  and  proportion. 

M.  de  Buftbn,  in  the  Ihort  defcription  he  has  given  of  this  animal,  mentions 
1   remarkable  circvunitance,  and   perhaps  unique,  which  is,  "  that   die   iemalf 

irani 


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5* 


ft  dirty  grey,  a  little  inclinable  to 
the  fawn  j  but  on  the  fore-part  of 
their  body  it  is  much  lefs*  deep  and 
thick,,  and  leaves  the  flefh  viiible, 
Which  is  of  a  foft,  fair,  and  ani- 
mated colour. 

The  Thevangua  ufually  goes  on 
all-fours,  but  with  a  kind  of  con- 
flraint,  infomuch,  that  when  he 
"wifbes  to  make  hafte,  he  fcarce- 
ly  runs  four  fathoms  in  a  mi- 
nute, which  tardinefs  originates  in 
his  conformation  and  habits  5  his^ 
legs  and  thighs,  as  well  as  man's, 
are  apparently  too  long  to  run  after 
the  manner  of  quadrupedes ;  and  it 
has  always  feemed  to  me,  that  when 
the  one  I  had  was  obliged,  by  car- 
rying fomething  in  his  arms,  to 
walk. upright,  he  went  with  ^greater 
freedom. 

^  This  animal  has  a  modulation  in 
his  voice,  a  kind  of  whiffling  that 
is  not  unpleafant.  I  could  eaiily 
diftinguifti  the  cry  of  pain  or  plea- 
fure,  or  even  that  of  chagrin  or 
impatience  :  if,  for  example,  I  pre- 
tended to  rob  him  of  his  prey,  his 
countenance  -changed,  and  he  in- 
wardly uttered  a  tremulous,  more 
acute,  and  painful  tone.  The  In-, 
dian,  of  whom  I  bought  mine,  told 
me,  that  their  mode  of  copulation 
was  face  to  face,  clofe,  and  crouch- 
ing on  their  hams. 


The  Thevangua  differs  greatly 
from  the  monkey  in  his  exterior 
form,  but  more  fiill  in  his  charac- 
ter and  manners.  He  is  by  nature 
melancholy,  filent,  patient,  carni- 
vorous, and  no&ambulous.  Retired, 
and  living  only  with  his  little  fa- 
mily, he  remains  crouching  all  day, 
with  his  head  refting  upon  his 
hands,  and  his  elbows  between  his 
thighs.  But  in  the  midft  of  this 
fleep,  or  ftate  of  inertia,  though 
his  eyes  are  clofed,  his  ears  remain 
exceedingly  fenfible  to  all  impret 
lions  from*  Without,  and  he  never 
negle&s  to  feize  whatever  prey  fhall 
inconsiderately  venture  within  his 
reach.  Though  I  believe  the  glare 
of  the  fun  difpleafes  Jiim,  yet  I 
never  could  find  that  the  pupil  of . 
his  eye  fuffered  any  extraordinary- 
con  tra&ion,  or  was  fatigued  by 
day-light.  It  is,  without  doubt, 
this  happy  conformation  which  pre* 
ferves  him,  though  feeble  and  flow, 
from  other  ferocious  beafts,  and 
gives  him  a  fuperiority  over  the  lefs 
and  nimbler  creatures,  on  which  he 
ufually  feeds. 

I  kept  mine,  during  the  firffc 
month,  tied  round  the  waift  by  a 
cord,  which,  without  attempting  ta 
untie,  he  fometimes  lifted  up  with 
an  air  of  grief.  I  took  charge  of 
him  myfelf,  and  he  bit  me  at  the 


urines  through  the  clitoris,  which  has  a  pifTage  like  the  penis  of  the  male,  and 
thefe  two  parts  have  a  perfect  refemblance  bothin  length  and  thicknefs. 

Having  never  heard  of  this  Angularity  in  India,  1  confefs  I  made  no  enquiries 
on  the  fubjeft  j  and  if  the  remark  has  been  tranfmitted  to  Europe  lay  an  exaft 
obferyer,  I  am  wrong  to  doubt  the  faft.  I  will  relate,  however,  what  has  (truck 
me  on  this  matter,  with  refpeft  to  wild  fhe-apes :  many  of  thefe  have  the  clitoris 
fo  long,  that  it  often  projects  forward,  and,  at  firft  fight,  appears  like  the  penis 
of  the  male  3  but  it  is  not  fo  fituated,  has  no  paffage,  and  is  lefs.  If  .we  fuppofe 
that  the  female  Thevangua  fometimes  has  this  Jmall  mufcular  body,  equally  pro- 
jecting, it  is  not  at  all  impoffible,  but  that  a  traveller,  not  very  attentive,  and  per- 
haps ajittlein  love  with  the  marvellous,  may  have  imagined  he  has  really  feen  them 
urine  through  that  part.  However,  I  fhould  be  far  from  denying  a  tH&,  becaufe 
i{'wa*  a-  littk  more  or  lefs  out  of  the  common  order  of  nature.  I  only  mention  my 
fufpicions. 

E  a  beginning 


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51         ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


beginning  four  or  five  times,  for 
offering  to  difturb  or  take  him  up  ; 
but  gentle  chafti Cement  having  foon 
corre&ed  thefe  little  paflions,  I  af- 
terwards gave  him  the  liberty  Of  my 
bed-chamber.  Towards  night  he 
Would  rub  his  eyes,  therf  looking 
attentively  round,  would  walk  upon 
the  furniture,  oroftener  upon  ropes 
that  I  had  placed  on  purpofe. 

A  little  milk,  or  vpry  juicy  fruits,- 
were  not  difagreeable  to  himj  but 
this  was  a  laft  refource,  he  was  only 
fond  of  fmall  birds,  and  all  forts  of 
infects.  If  he  beheld' game  of  this 
kind,  which  I  ufed  to  tie  at  the  part 
of  the  chamber  oppofite  to  him,  or 
fhew  him  and  invite  bim  to  me,  he 
would  prefently  approach  with  a 
long  careful  ftep,  like  a  perfon 
walking  on  tip-toe  going  to  fur- 
prife  another.     When  he  was  with- 


Indians  of  America7  differed  frbtf! 
other  males  of  the  human  fpecies  iri 
the  want  of  one  very  characteriftic 
mark  of  the  fex,  to  wit,  that  of  a 
beard.  From  this  general  obfer ra- 
tion, the  Efquimaux  have  been  ex-« 
cepted  5  and  hence  it  has  been  fup- 
pofed,  that  they  had  an  origin  diffe- 
rent from  that  of  the  other  natives 
of  America.  Inferences  have  alfo 
been  drawn,  not  only  with  refpeft  to 
the  origin,  but  even  relative  to  the 
conformation  of  Iridians,  as  if  this 
was  in  its  nature  more  imperfect 
than  that  of  the  reft  of  mankind. 

Jt  a'ppeafs  fomewfrat  lingular  that 
authors,  in  deducing  the  origin  both 
of' the  Efquimaux  and  of  the  other 
.  Indians  of  America;  from  the  old 
world,  mould  never  frave  explained 
to  us  how  the  former  came  to  retain 
their  beards,  and  the  latter  to  lay 


in  a  foot  of  his  prey,  he  would  flop, .  them  afide:  To  afcertairi  the  au- 
and  raifing  himfelf  upright,  ad-  thenticlty  of  this  point  may  per- 
vance  gently,  itretching  out  his  haps  prove  of  little  real  utility  to 
arm,  then  at  once  feizing,  would  mankind $  but  the  Angularity  of  the- 
ftrangle  it,  with   remarkable  cele-    fact  certainly  claims  the  attention1 


nty. 

This  little  animal  periined  by 
accident.  He  appeared  much  at- 
tached to  me ;  it  was  my  cuflom  to 
carets  him,  especially  after  feeding  : 
his  return  of  affection  confifted  in 
taking  tbe  end  of  my  fingers,  pref- 
fing  them  to  his.  bofom,  and  fixing 
his  eyes  half  open  upon  mine."     . 


to  the  Mature  and 
dians  of  North- 
Mr.  Richard 
geon  to  the  King's 
r/  of  Foot.  Com- 
eph  Planta,  Ffq. 
Pol.  LXXVI.  of 
Tran  factions. 

anced  by  feveral 
iftorian$  that  the 


of  the  curious  :  and  as  it  is  impof- 
fible  to  fix  any  limits  to  the  infe- 
rences whictgjnay  at  one  time  or  ano-» 
ther  be  drawn  from  ailed  ged  facb, 
it  muft  always  be  of  confequence  to 
enquire  into  the  authenticity  of 
thofe  facts,  how  little  interefting  fo- 
ever  they  may  at  prefent  appear. 

I  will  not  by  any  means  take 
upon  me  to  fay  that  there  are  not 
nations  of  America  deftitute  of 
beards;  but  ten  years  refidence  at 
Niagara,  in  the  midft  of  the  Six-Na- 
tions (with  frequent  opportunities  of 
feeing  other  nations  of  Indians)  has 
convinced  me,  that  they  do  not  dif- 
fer from  the  reft  of  men,  in  this 
particular,  more  than  one  European 
differs  from  another>  and  as  this 
imperfection  has  been  attributed  tp 
the  Indians  of  North  America, 
•     •         .  equally 


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S3 


equally  with  thofe  of  the  reft  of  the 
continent,  f  am  much  inclined  to 
th'^nk,  that  this  affertion  is  as  void 
of  foundation  in  ope  region  as  it  is 
in  the  other. 

All  the  Indians  of  North  America 
(except  a  very  fmall  number,,  who, 
from  living  among  white  people, 
have  adopted  their  cuftoras)  pluck 
xnit  the  hairs  of  the. beard;  and  as 
they  begin  this  from  its  firft  appear- 
ance,  it  muft  naturally  be  fuppofed, 
that  to  a  fuperncial  obferver  their 
faces  will  feem  fmooth  and  beardlefs. 
As  further  proof  that  they  have 
beards,  we  may  obferve,  firft,  that 
they  all  have  an  inftrument  for  the 
purpofe  of  plucking  them  out.  Se- 
condly, that  when  they  neglect  this 
for  any  time,  feveral  hairs  fprout  up, 
pnd  are  ieen  upon  thf  chin  and  face. 
Thirdly,  that  many  Indians  allow 
tufts  of  hair  to  grow  upon  their  - 
chins  or  upper  lips,  refembling  tbofe 
we  fee  in  different  nations  of  the 
old  world.  Fourthly,  that  feveral 
of  the  Mohocfts,  Delawares,  and 
others,  who  Uve  amongft  white  peo* 
pie,  fpmetimes  ftiave  with  razors, 
and  fometimes  pluck  their  beards 
out.  Theie  are  facts  which  are  no- 
torious amonglt  the  army,  Indian 
traders,  &p.  j  and  whioh  are  never 
doubted  in  that  part  pf  the  world 
by  any  perfon  in  the  lea  ft  cqnver- 
fant  with  Indians  :  but  as  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  tran fport  a  matter  of  belief 
from  one.  country  tp  another  diftant 
one,  and  as  the  authors  who  have 
maintained  the  contrary  opinion  are 
too  refpectable  to  be  doubted  upon 
light  grounds,  t  by  no  means  in- 
tend to  rett  the  proofs  upon  what 
has  been  laid,  or  upon  my  (ingle 
aflertiou. 

I  have  provided  myfelf  with  two 
authorities,  which  I  apprehend  may 
4ft  (his  cafe  be  decilive.     One  is 


colonel  Butler,  deputy  fuperinten- 
dant  of  Indiari  affairs,  well  known 
in  the  late  American  war,  whofe 
great  and  extenfive  influence  amongft 
the  Six-Nations  could  not  have  been 
acquired  by  any  thing  lefs  than  his 
long  and  intimate  knowledge  of  , 
them  and  their  language.  The 
other  authority  is  that  of  Tkayen- 
dqvtga,  commonly  known .  by  the 
name  of  captain  Jofeph  Brant,  a 
Mohock  Indian  of  great  influence, 
and  much  fpoken  of  in  the  late 
war.  He  was  in  England  in  1775, 
and  writes  and  fpeaks  the  Engliih  . 
language  with  tolerable  accuracy. 
I  (hall  therefore  only  fubjoin  their 
opinions  upon  this  matter,  the  origi* 
nals  of  which  I  have  under  their  own 
ugnatures. 

Colonel  Butler's. 

The  men  of  the  Six-Nation  In* 
dians  have  all  beards  naturally,  as  • 
have  all  the  other  nations  of  North 
America  which  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  feeing.  Several  of 
the  Mohocks  i  zors,  as 

do  likewife  n  Panees 

who  are  kept  a  5  Euro- 

peans.    But  ir  Indians 

pluck  out  the  b  ijs  from   . 

its  earlieftappt.., , as  their 

faces  are  therefore  fmooth,  it  has 
been  fuppofed  that  they  were  defti-( 
tute  of  beards.  I  am  even  of  opi- 
nion, that  if  the  Indians  were  to 
practife  {having  from  their  youth, 
many  of  them  would  have  as  ftrong 
beards  as  Europeans. 
(Signed) 

John  Butler, 
Agent  of  India  Affairs. 
Niagara^  April  .12,  1784. 

Captain  Brant's. 

The    m,en   of    the  Six-Nations,' 
E  3  have 


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54         ANNUAL    REGISTER,    178$. 


have  all  beards  by  nature  ;  as  have 
likewife  all  other  Indian  nations  of 
North  America  which  I  have  feen. 
Some  Indians  allow  a  part  of  the 
beard  upon  the  chin* and  upper  lip 
to  grow,  and  a  few  of  the  Mohocks 
ihave  with  razors  in  the  fame  man- 
ner as  Europeans  5.  but  the  gene- 
rality pluck  out  the  hairs  of  the 
beard  by  the  roots  as  foon  as  they 
begin  to  appear ;  and  as  they  con- 
tinue this  practice  all  their  lives, 
they  appear  to  ha*ve  no  beardj  or  at 
moft  only  a  few  ftraggling  hairs 
which  they  have  negleded  to  pluck 
out.  I  am  however  of  opinion,  that 
1/  the  Indians  were  to  ihave  they 
would  never  have  beards  altogether 
fo  thick  as  the  Europeans  ;  and  there 
are  Tome  to  be  met  with  who  have 
^dually  very  little  beard. 
(Signed) 
Jos.  Brant  Thayendanega. 
b  Niagara,  April  19,  I 7  83 . 

Upon  this  fubject  I  fhall  only  fur- 
ther obferve,  that,  it  has  been  fup- 
:  this  appearance 
arifes  only  from 
pean  blood ;  and 
>ure  race  is  en- 
But  the  nations- 
us  circumftance 
ice,  bear  fo  fmall 
5  multitude  who 
,  that  it  cannot 
onlidered  as  the 
:ed  upon  as  fuch, . 
Brant  or  colonel 

join  a  few  par- 
the  Indians  of 
which,  as  they 
underftood  even 
•obably  Hill  lefs" 
My  authori- 
bject,  as  well 
3T,  are  the  In-, 


dian    captain    Brant   and   colonel 
Butler. 

Each,  nation  is  divided  into  three 
or  more  tribes;  the  principal  of 
which  are  Called  the  turtle-tribe,  the 
wolf-tribe,  and  the  bear-tribe. 
.  Each  tribe  has  two,  three,  or  more 
chiefs;  called  Sachems  5  and  this  dif- 
tin&ion  is  always  hereditary  in  the 
family,  but  defcends  along  the  fe- 
male Jine :  fo»  inftance,  if  a  chief 
dies,  one  of  his  lifter's  fons,  or  one  . 
of  his  own  brothers,  will  be  ap- 
pointed to  fucceed  him,  Among 
thefe  no  preference  is  given  to  proxi- 
mity or  primogeniture  j  but  the 
Sachem,  during  his  life-time,  pitches, 
upon  one  whom  he  iuppofes  to  have 
•more  abilities  than  the  reft  5  and  in 
this  choice  he  frequently,  though  not 
always,  confults  the  principal  men 
of  the  tribe.  If  the  fucceflbr  hap-: 
»pens  to  be  a  child,  the  offices  of  the 
poft  are  performed  by  f6me  of  his 
friends  until  he  is  of  fufficient  age 
to  act  himfelf. 

Each  of  thefe  polls  of  Sachem  has 
a  name  which  is  peculiar  to  it,  and 
which  never  changes,  as  it  is  always 
adopted  by  the  fucceflbr ;  nor  does 
the  order,  of  precedency  6f  each  of 
thefe  names  or  titles  ever  vary.  Ne- 
verthelefs,  any  Sachem,  by  abilities 
and  activity,  may  acquire  greater 
power  and  influence  in  the  nation 
than  thofe  who  rank  before  him 
in  point  of  precedency  5  /  but  this 
is  merely  temporary,  and  dies  with 
him. 

Each  tribe  has  one  or  two  chief 
warriors,  which  dignity  is  alfo  here- 
ditary, and  has  a  peculiar  name  at- 
tached to  it.  '  ' 

Thefe  are  the  only  titles  of  dif-  ' , 
tindion  which  are  fixed  and  perma- 
nent in  the  nation  j  for  although  any 
Indian  may  by  fuperior  talents, 
either  as  a  tounfellor.  or  as  a  war- 
rior. 


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NATURAL    HIST/ORV. 


SS 


rior,  acquire influence  in  the  nation, 
yet  it  is  not  in  his  power  to  traaf-. 
mit  this  to  his  family.    , 

The  Indians  have  alfo  their  greai 
Mmmen    as   well    as  their  great  men, 


atliome  <as  it  often  happens  that  lie 
is  a  child)  he  is'  itill  confidered  as 
thfr  head  of  the  party.  The  belt  he 
pre/entedv  to  his  party  is  returned 
fixed  to  the  fcjlp  or  priibner,  an4 


to-wbofe  opinions  they  pay  great    pafles  along  with  them  to  the  friends 


deference ;  and  this  diftin&ion  is 
alfo  hereditary  in  families.  They 
do  not,  fit  in  council  with  the  Sa- 
chems, but  have  feparate  ones  of 
their  own. 


of : the  peribn  he  replaces.  Hence 
it  Jiappelis,  .that  a  war  party,  re- 
turning with  more  lcalp*>  or  pri- 
foliers  than  the  original  indention  of 
the'  party  required,  will  ofcen  give 


When  war  is  declared,    the  Sa*    one  of  tbefe  fupernuinerary  fcalp* 
chems  and  great  women  generally    or  prifoners  to  another  war  party 


give  up  the  management  of  public 
affairs  into  the  hands  of  the  war- 
riors. It  may  however  fo  happen, 
that  a  Sachem  may  at  the  fame  time 
be  alfo  a  chief  warrior. . 

Friejidfhips  'feem  to  have  been* 
inftituted  with  a  view  towards 
ftrengthenkigthe  union  between  the 
feveral  nations  of  the  confederacy  5 
and  hence  friends  are  called  the 
finews  of-  the,  Stx*Nat ions/  An. 
Iridian  hafl  therefore  generally  one 
or  more  friends ,  in  each  nation. 
Befids  the  attachment  which  fubfifts 
during  the  life-time  of"  the  two 
friends;  tfherieyer  one  of  them  hap* 
pens  to  be  killed,  it  is  incumbent 
oirthe  furv'vor  to  replace  him,  by 
prefentmg  to  his  family  either  a 
fcalp,  a  priforifer,  or  a  belt  conlift- 
ing  of  fome  thousands  of  wampum  $ 
and  this  ceremony  is  performed  by 
every  friend 'of  the  deceafed.  ; 

The  purpofe  and  foundation  of 
war  parties  therefore,  is  in  general, 
to  procure  a  prifoner  or  fcalp  to  re- 
place the*  friend  or  relation  of  the 
Indian  who  is  the  head  of  the  party. 
An  Indian  who  wilhes  to  replace  a 
friend  or  relation  prefents  a  belt  to 
his  acquaintance,  and  as  many  as 
chute  to  follow  him  accept  this  bqlt, 
and  become  his  party.  After  this, 
it  is  of  no  confequence  whether  he 
goes  on  the  expedition  or  remains 


whom  they  meet  going  out  j  upon 
which  this  pacty,  having  fulfilled 
the  purpofe  of.  their  expedition, 
will  iometimes  return  without  going 
to  war.  '  , 


Some  particulars  of  the  pr&fent  ftate 
of  Mount ;  Vel'uvius.  ExtraStd. 
from  a  iethr  from  Sir  Wiljiam 
Hamilton,  K.  B.  F.  R.  S.  and 
J.  S.  to  Sir  Jofeph  Banks,-  Bart. 
P.  R.  S.     From  the  fame. 

Naples,  January  24,  ijd6.  * 
"Sir, 

THE  eruption  of  Mount.  Ve- . 
fuvius,  which  began  in  the 
montji  of  November,  1784,  nearly 
at  the  moment  of  ryy  return  from 
England  to  this  capital,  and  whicb 
continued  in  fome  degree  till  about 
the  20th  of  laft  month,  has  afforded 
much  amufement  to  travellers  un- 
acquainted with  this-  wonderful 
operation  of  nature,  but  no  new  cir- 
cumitance  that  could  jultify  my 
troubling  you  with  a  letter  on  the 
fubjecl.  The  lava  either  overflowed 
the  rim  of  the  crater,  or  iflued  from 
fmall  fiffures  on  its  borders,  on  that 
fide  which  faces  the .  mouutain  of 
Sorama,  and  ran  more  or  lefs  in  one, 
and  at  times  in  three  or  iburchan- 
E  4  nels, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


j6         ANNUAL    REGISTER,    ij86. 


nels,   regularly' formed,  down  the 
flanks  of  the  conical  part  of  the 
volcano  j  foraetimes  defcending  and 
Spreading  itfelf  in  the  valley  be- 
tween the  two  mountains*;  and  once, 
when  the  eruption  Was  in  its  great- 
eft  force,  in  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber laft,  the    lava    defcended    ftill 
lowe?r,  and  did  fome  damage  to  the 
vineyards,   and   cultivated  parts  at 
the  foot  of  Vefuvius,  towards  the 
village  of  St.  Sebaftiano;  but  ge- 
nerally the  lava,  not  being  abun- 
dant, {lopped  and  cooled  before  it 
was  able  to  reach  the  valley.    By 
the  accumulation  of  thefe  lavas  on 
the  flanks  of  Vefuvius,  its  form  has 
been  greatly  altered;    and  by  the 
frequent  explofions  of  fcoriae  and 
afhes,  a  confiderable  mountain  has 
been    formed    within    the    crater, 
which  now  riling  much   above  its 
rim,  has  Ukewife  given  that  part  of 
the  mountain  a  new    appearance. 
Juft  before  I  left  Naples,  in  May 
1783, 1  was  at  the  top  of  Vefuvius. 
The  crater  was  certainly  then  more 
than  250  feet  deep,  and  was   im- 
practicable,  its  fides  being   nearly 
perpendicular.  This  eruption,  how- 
ever,   has  been   as    fatisfa&ory  as 
could  be  defired  by  the  inhabitants 

tity 
rd5 
the 
ba- 
ind 
ital 
ge- 
I  a 
reet 


S 


quakes,  or  from  the  loofe  volcasro 
foil's  having  been  waihed  from  un-r 
der  their  foundations  by  the  torrents, 
of  rain-water  from  the  high  grounds 
which  furround  Naples,  and  on 
which  a  great  part  of  the  town  itfelf 
is  built. 

From  the  time  of  the  laft  formi- 
jdafrle  eruption,  of  Mount  Vefuvius* 
in  Auguft  1779  (described  in  one  ot 
my  former  communications  to  the 
Royal  Society)  to  this  day,  I  have, 
with  the  afliftance  of  the  Father. 
Antonio'  Piagga  *,  kept  an  exac~fc 
diary  of  the  operations  of  Vefuvius, 
with  drawings,  Shewing,  by  the 
quantity  of  fmoke,  the  degrees,  of 
fermentation  of  the  volcano;  alfo 
the  courfe  of  the  lavas  during  this 
laft  eruption,  and  the  changes  that 
have  been  made  in  thie  form  of  the 
mountain  itfelf  by  the  lavas  an4 
fcorige  that  have  been  ejected.  This 
journal  is  becoming  very,  curious 
and  interesting  j  it  is  remarkably 
fp  with  refpeft  to  the  pointing  out 
a  variety  of  lingular  eftecb*  that 
different  currents  of  air  have  upon 
the  fmoke  that  iffues  from,  the  cra-^ 
ter  of  Vefuvius,  elevate^,  (as  you" 
know,  Sir)  more  than,  -3600  feet, 
above  the  level  of  the  fea  -,  bur, 
except  the  fmoke  increafing  confi- 
derably  and  conftantly  when  the  fea 
is  agitated,  and  the  wind  blows 
from  that  quarter,  the  operations  of 
Vefuvius  appear  to  be  very  caprici- 
ous and  uncertain.  One  day  there  . 
will  be  the  appearance  of  a  violent 
fermentation,  and  tjie  next  all  is 
calmed  again :  but  whenever  the 
fmoke  has  been  attended  with  con- 
fiderable   ejections    of  fcoriae   and 


the  ingenious:  monk  who.  invested  the  me- 

e  burnt  ancient  manufcripts  of  Herculaneum, 

at  the  foot,  and  in  full  view,  of  Mount  Ve- 

cindery, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


NATURAL    HISTORY. 


M 


finders,  I  have  conftantly  obferyed 
jhat  the  lava  has  foon  after  made 
yts  appearance,  either  by  boiling 
pver  the  crater,  or  forcing  its  paf 
(age  through  crevices  in  the  conical 
part  of  the  volcano.  As  long  as  I 
remain  in  this  country,  and  have 
the  neceiflary  aflinance  of  the  abqve- 
mentipned  ingenious  Monk  (who  is 
as  excellent  a  draughtfman  as  he  is 
an  accurate  and  diligent  qbierver][ 
the  Vefuvian  diary  fhall  he'  con- 
tinued 5  and  I  hope  one  day  to  have 
the  honour  of  prefenting  thefe  curi- 
ums mamifcripts  (winch/ begin  now 
to  be  voluminous)  to  the  Royal  So- 
ciety, if  it  fliould  think  them  wor- 
thy of  a  place  in  the  library  of  the 
Sqciety," 


jfa  4c(ount  of  a  ww  Eteatical  Fijb\ 
In  a  Letter  from  Lieutenant  William 
J>aterfon  h  Sir  Jofcph  Banks,  Bart. 

I    tf.R^S^   From- the  fame, 

' :  'Sir,-  ,  .  '  .r 
.  ^TTXttlLE  a^-the.  ifland  of  Jo- 
rVV  hahria,  one  of  the  Comora 
iflan^s,  in  rriy  way  to  the  Eaft  In-' 
Utiles,  with  the' 93th  regiment,  I  met 
•with  an  electrical:  fiih^  which  has 
hitherto  efcaped  the  obfervation  of 
baturalifts,  and  feems  in  many  re- 
flects to'  differ  from  the  electrical 
fimes  already  defcribed  j  which  in- 
duces me  to,  fpnd  you  the  following 
account  of  it,  wifna  very  irnperfeci 
drawing,  and  to  beg  that,  if  you 
think  it  deferves attention,  yon  will 
i}o  me  the  honour. of  prefenting  it 
to  the  Royal  Society.  The  lit  nation, 
of  a  fubaltern  officer,  in  an  army 
upon  foreign  feryice,  will,  I  bbpe? 
iufficiently  apologize  for  my  fending 
you  fo  very  imperfect  a  lketch  of  the 
filh,  which  was  made  in  the  field,  in 
a  hot  climate,  under  every  difadvan- 


The  fiih  is  feven  inches  long,  tw?i 
inches  and  a  half  broad,  has  a  long 
projecting  mouth,  and  feems  to  be 
of  the  genus  Tetrodon.  The  back 
of  the  §fli  is  a  dark  brown  colour* 
the  belly^part  of  fea-green,  the 
fides  ydlow,  and  the  fins  and  tail 
of  a  iandy  green.  The  body  H 
ihteffperfed  with  red/  green,  an^ 
white  fpots,  the  white  ones,  particu- 
larly bright  j  the  ^yes  large,  th* 
iris  reo\,  its  Wtei;  edge  'tinged  widi 
yeflqw. 

The  ifland  of  Johanna  is  fituated 
in  latitude- 1%°  13!  fouth.  The  coaA 
is  wholly  cornpofed  of  coral  rocks, 
which  are  in  many  places  hollowed 
by  the  fea.  In  thefe  cavities  I  found 
feveral  of  the  ete&rical  fifties.  Tlie 
Water  is  about  j6°  or  6o°  of  heat  of 
Fahrenheit's  theiTnctrheter.  J  caught 
two  of  them  hi  a  linen  bag,  clofed 
up  at  one  end,  -and  open  at .  the 
.other.  In  attempting  to  tdke  ope 
of  them  in  my  hand,  it  gave  me  Ho 
ievere  an  electrical  fliock,  that  \ 
was  obliged  to  quif  my  hold.  I 
&6wev£r  iecured  them  both  in  the 
linen,  bag,  and  carried  them  io  the 
qamp,  ^nich  was  about  two  mi  let 
diftant.  tJpon  toy  arrival  there, 
one  of  them  was  found  to  be  dead, 
and  the  other  in  a  very  weak  Hate, 
which  made  me  anxious  to  prove, 
by  (he  evidence  of  others,  that  it 
pofjefled  the  powers  of  electricity, 
while  it  was  yet  alive.  I  had  it 
put  into  a  tub  of  water,  and  defired 
the  furgeon  of  the  regiment  to  lay 
hp}d  of  it  between  his  hands  $  upon 
doing  which  he  received  an  evident 
electrical  firoke.  Afterwards  the 
adjutant  touched  it  with  his  finger 
upon  the  back,  and  felt  a  very  flight 
fhock,  but  iufficiently  ftrong  to  af- 
certain  the  fa6t. 

After  fo  very  hnperfeft  an  ac- 
count, I  will  not  trouble  you  with 
-  an/( 


'Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


5*  ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


any.obfervations  of  my  own  upon 
this  Angular  fiih  $  but  beg  you  will 
confider  this  only  as  a  direction  to 
others  who  may  hereafter  viiit  that 
Hland,  and  from  their  fituation,  and 
knowledge  in  natural  hiftory,  may 
be  better  able  to  defcribe  the  flfh, 
and  give  an  account  of  its  electrical 
organs. 

I   have  the  honour  to  be,  with 
great  efteem,  &c. 

W.  Paterson, 
lieutenant  98th  regiment. 


-Advert  fement  of  the  ex  petted  return 
af  the  Comet  of  IC32  and  166 1  /* 
the  year  1788.  By  the  Rrv.  Ne- 
vil  Maikelyne,  D.  D.  F.  R,\Si 
and  ilfiranomer  Royal.  From  the 
fame.  s 

1,  1607,  and 
urned  in  the' 
to  Dr.  Hal- 

Synopjts  Aflro- 
published  in 
nfactions  in 
id  with  his 
1  1749,  there 
:  that  all  the 
U  after  their 
ng  to  the  re- 
ar. 

f  the  fyvopfs 
be  fuppofed  the  comets  of  1532  and 
1661 ,  from  the  fimilarity  of  the 
elements  of  their  orbits,  to  be  one 
and  the  fame)  but  in  the  fecond 
edition  he  has  feemed  to  lerTen  the 
weight  of  his  firft  conjecture  by  not 

PrnKnbly   \lG     thought 

is  new  point  in 
rine  of  the  re- 
in elliptic  or- 
lical  matters  in 
Id  be,  on   the 


s;   and  feared 


that  the  vague  obfervattons  of  tfc& 
comet,  made  by  Apian  in  1532, 
might  rather  detract  from,  than  add 
to,  the  evidence  arifing  from  more 
certain  data.  Aftronomers,  how- 
ever, have  generally  acquiefced  in 
his  firft  conjecture  of  the  comets 
of  1532  and  1661  being  one  and 
the  fame,  and  to  expect  its  return 
to    its    perihelium   accordingly    in 

1789.  v 

The  interval  between  the  para- 
ges of  the  comet  by  the  perihelium 
in  1532  and  1661  is  128  years,  89 
days,  1  hour,  29  minutes,  (3-2  of 
the  years  being  biflextile)  which, 
added  to  the  time  of  the  perihelium 
in  1 66 1,  together  ^with  11  days  to 
reduce  it  from  the  Julian  to'  the 
Gregor^n  ftile,  which  we  now  ufe* 
brings  out  the  expected  time  of  the 
next  perihelium  to  be  April  27th, 
1  h.  io'  in  the  year  1789. 

The  periodic  times  of  the  cornet, 
which  appeared  in  153 1,  1607,  and 
1682,  having  been  of  76  and  75 
years  alternately^  Dr.  Halley  fup- 
pofed, that  the  fubfequenfc  peridtl 
would  be  of  76  years,  and  that  it 
would  return  in  the  year  1758; 
but,  upon  confidering  its  near  ap- 
proach to  Jupiter,  in  its  defcent  to- 
wards the  fun  in  thefummer  of  168  r, 
he  found,  that  the  action  of  Jupiter 
upon  the  comet  was,  for  feveral 
months  together,  equal  to  one-fif- 
tieth pari  of  the  fun  upon  it,  tend- 
ing to  increafe  the  inclination  of  the 
orbit  to  the  plane  of  the  ecliptic, 
and  lengthen  the  periodic  time. 
Accordingly,  the  inclination  of  the 
orbit  was  found  by  the  obfervations> 
made  in  the  following  year  1682  to 
be  22'  greater  than  in  the  year  1607. 
The  enect  of  the  augmentation  of 
the  periodic  time  could  not  be  feen 
till  the  pext  return,  which  he  fup- 
pofed would  be  protracted  by  Ju- 
piter's 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


NATURAL    HISTORY. 


5* 


piter's  a&ion  to  the  latter  end  of  the 
year  ^758,  or  the  beginning  of  1759. 
M.  Claifaut,  previous  to  its  return, 
took  the  pains  to  calculate  the  ac- 
tions both  of  Jupiter  and  Saturn  on 
it  during  the  whole  periods,  from  . 
1607  to  1682,  and  from  1682  to 
1759,  and  thence  predicted  its  re- 
turn to  its  perihelium  by  the  middle 
of  April}  it  came  about  the  middle 
of  March,  only  a  month  fooner/ 
which  was  a  fufficient  approxima- 
tion to  the  truth  in  fo  delicate  a' 
matter,  and  did  honour  to  this  great 
mathematician,  and  his  laborious 
calculations.  ,       . 

Tne  comet  in  queftion  is  alfo, 
from  the  pofition  of  its  orbit,  liable 
to  be  much  dtfturbed  both'  by  Ju- 
piter and  Saturn,  particularly  in 
its  afcent  from  the  fun  after  paffing 
its  perihelium,  if  they  fhould  hap- 
pen to  be  liear  it,  when  it  approaches 
to  or  croffes  their  orbits;  becaufe 
it  is  very  near  the  plane  of  them  at 
that  time.  When  it  patted  the  or- 
bit of  Jupiter  in  the  beginning  of 
February  1682,  O.  S.  it  was  500 
?ri  confequentia  of  that  planet;  and 
when  it  pafled  the  orbit  of  Saturn 
in  the  beginning  of  Oclober  1663, 
it  was  1 70  in  confequentia  of  it. 
Hence  its  motion  would  be  accele- 
rated Whilft  it  was  approaching  to- 
wards the  orbit  of  either  planet  by 
its  *  feparate  a6Hon,  and  retarded 
when  it  had  pafled  its  orbit 5  but," 
as  it  would  be  fubje&ed  to  the  effect 
of  retardation  through  a  greater 
part  of  its  orbit  than  to  that  of 
acceleration,  the  former,  would  ex- 


ceed the  latter,  and  confequently 
the  periodic  time  would  be  fbort-N 
eped;  but  probably  not  much,  oa 
account  of  the  confiderable  diftance 
of  the  comet  from  the  planets  when 
it  pafled  by  them ;  and  therefore 
we  may  ftill  expe&  it  to  return  to 
its  perihelium  in  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1789,  or  the  latter  end  of 
the  year  1788,  and  certainly  fome 
time  before  the  27th  of  April  1789. 
But  of  this  we  {hall  be  better  in- 
formed after  the  end  of  this  year, 
ifrom  the  ahfwers  to  the  prize  quef- 
tion prdpofed  by  the  Royal  Academy 
of  Sciences  at  Pans,  to  compute  the 
difturbances  of  the  comet  of  i  331 
and  1 661,  and  thence  to  predid  ita 
return  *. 

If  it  fhould  come  to  its  perihe- 
lium on  the  1  ft  of  January  1789, 
it  might  probably  be  vifible,  with 
a*  good  achromatic  telefcope,  in  its 
defcent  to  the  fun,  the  middle  of 
September  1788,  and  fooner  or  later, 
according  as  its  perihelium  fhould 
be  fooner  or  later  It  will  approach 
us  from  the'  fouthern  parts  of  it* 
orbit,  and  therefore  will  firft  appear 
with  confiderable  foutfa  latitude  and 
fouth  declination  5  fo  that  perfons 
refiding  nearer  the  equator  than  we 
do,  or  in  fouth  latitude,  will  have 
an  opportunity  of  difcovering  it  be- 
fore us.  It  is  to  be  wifhed  that  it 
may  be  firft  feen  by  fome  aftrono- 
mer  in  fuch  a  fi  tuation,  and  fur* 
nifhed  with  proper  inftruments  for 
fettling  its  place  in  the  heavens> 
the  earlieft  good  obfervations  being 
molt  valuable  for  determining  its 


*  Since  this  was  written,  I  received  jthe  unwelcome  news,  in  a  letter  from  M* 
Mechain,  of  the  Royal  Academy  of  Sciences  at  Paris,  tliat  the  academy  had 
vnot  received  fotisfa&ory  aniwers  concerning  the  difturbances  of  die  comet  be- 
tween 1532  and  1 66 j,  and  1661  and  the  approaching  return,  and  that  the  prize 
is  referred  to  be  adjudged  of  at  gaiter  1788,  and  that  it  will  be  6000  litres'. 
N.  M.  .    ",       ■  ••.-..... 

elliptic 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


$o  ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 

•Uiptic  orbit,  and  proving  its  iden- 
tity with  the  comets  of  155a  and 
1661.  The  Cape  of  Good  Hope 
would  be  an  excellent  fixation  tor 
this  purpofe. 

In  order  to  atfift  aftronomers  in 
looking  out  for  this  comet,  1  have 
here  given  its  heliocentric  and  geor 
centric  longitudes  and  latitudes,  and 
c'orrefpondent  diftances  from  the  fun 
and  earth,  pn  fuppofition  that  it 
•(hall  come  to  its  perihelium  on  Ja- 
nuary 1,  1789.  But  if  that  fhould 
happen  fooner  or  later,  the  helicH 
centric  longitudes  and  latitudes,  and 
diftances  from  the  fun,  will  ftaud 
good  if  applied  to  days  as  much 
earlier  or  later,  as  the  time  of  the 
perihelium  may  happen  foorier  or 
}ater  j    gnd   the   geocentric    longi- 


tudes and  latitudes,  and  diftances 
from  the  earth,  mud  be  re-computed 
accordingly r  The  calculations  are 
made  for  a  parabolic  orbit  from  th« 
elements,  determined  by  Drt  Hal- 
ley  from  Hevelius's  obfervatioqs  in 
1 66 1,  only  .allowing  for  the  pre.- 
ceffion  of  the  equinoxes.  The  ele- 
ments made,  ule  of  were  as  foU 
lows  : 

Time  of  perihelium  January  1, 
1 7 89,  at  noon. 

Perihelium  diftance,  0,4485,1. 

Place  of  afcending  qode  2»  240 
x8'.  ' 

Inclination  of  orbit  to  the  eclip? 
tic  320  36'. 

Peri  helium  forwarder  in  orbit  than 
the  afcending  node  33°  28'. 

Ija  motion  is  dired. 


Computed  flact$  4/  the  Comet,  on  fupfofitm  that  ttfiaff  return  to  in  fxribil'mm 
January  I,  1789,  at  noon. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


NATURAL    rf I S  t  0  6 1 


ii 


The  laft  obfcrvation  made  by  He- 
Velius  on  the  comet  in  1661  was 
when  its  diftance  from  the  earth  was 
0,986,  and.  from  the  futl  1,37,  with 
what  he  calls  a  very  long  and  good 
telefcope  5  at  which  time  it  appear- 
ed faint  and  fmallwith  it* though  ftill 
fufficiently  vifible.  Let  us  fuppofe 
tliis  to  have  been  a  telefcope  of 
9-feet  focal  length,  with  an  aper- 
ture of  1,63  inch  j  then,  becaufe 
the  diameter  of  the  aperture  of  a 
telefcope  fufficient  to  render  the 
comet  equally  vifible  (liould  be  as 
the  product  of  its  di (lances  from  the 
fun  and  earth,  and  the  produd 
of  the  numbers  above-mentioned 
0,986  aixl  1,37  is  t,3$,  we  fhall 
have  the.following  analogy  to  find 
the  aperture  of  a  refracting  telefcope 
fufficient  to  (hew  the  comet  as  it  ap- 
peared to  Hevelius.  As  1,35  :  1,65 
inch  :  :  9  :  n  inches,  fo  is  the  pro- 
dud  of  di  fiances  from  the  fun  and 
earth  to  the  diameter  of  the  aperture 
required  in  inches. 


OJtfervations  on  Longevity.  By  An- 
thony Fothergill,  M,  D.  F.  R.  S. 
Communicated  in  a  Letter  to  Dr. 
Percival.  From  Memoits  of  the 
♦  Literary  and  Fhikfofbical  Society  of 
Manchefler. 

Dear  Sir,    , 

I  Have  often  thought,  it  would  be 
an  ufeful  undertaking  to  colled 


into  one  point  of  view  the  memor- 
able inftances  of  long-lived  perfonsj 
whofe  ages  are  recorded  by  monu- 
mental   inicriptions,     biographical 
writings,    or  even   by  (the    public 
prints.     The  only  judicious  attempt 
I  have  yet  feen  of  this  kind,  was  by 
the  ingenious  Mr.  Whitehurft,   a 
few  years  ago,  in  his  Inquiry  into 
the  Origin  and   Formation  of  the 
Earth.     To  the  examples  of  longe- 
vity mentioned  by  him,  as  colle&efl 
by  a  perfon  of  veracity  from  the 
above  fources,   I  have  now  added 
fundry  remarkable    infla/ices  of  a 
fimilar  kind,  as  they  have  occurred 
to  me  in  the  courfe  of  reading ;  and 
have  annexed  the  authorities,  (fo  faf 
as  was  practicable)  that  you  may  be 
enabled  to  judge  of  $he  degree  of 
credibility,   that  may  feem  due  to 
the  refpedive  fads,  and  of  the  allow'- 
ance  which  it  may  appear  nedeflary 
to  make,  for  that  natural  prbpenfity, 
which  mankind  have  ever  betrayed  , 
for  the  marvellous.    Now,  admit* 
ting  that  many  of  the  ages  may  have 
been&mewhat'exaggerated,  yet  flui 
there  can  be  no  poifcble  doubt,  that 
even  thefe  have  extended  far  beyond 
the  ordinary  period  of  life,  and  may 
therefore  be  entitled  to  a  place  in  the 
following  tables,  which  I  fubmit  to 
your  confideration,  as  a  fmall  fpeci- 
men  of  what  might  be  more  worthy 
your  attention,  if  conduded  here- 
after on  a  larger  fcale,  and  puriued 
with  chronological  accuracy. 


TABLE    I. 
OF    LONGEVITY. 


Names  of  the  PerfonsJ  Ages 


Thomas  Parre 

Henry  Jenkins 
Eobert  Montgomery 


»5* 
169 
126 


Places  of  Abode. 


Shropshire 

Yorkfhire 
Ditto 


Living  or  Dead.  1 


Died  Nov.  16, 163  j. 

Phil.  Tranf.  No.  44. 
Died  De?.  8,  1670. 

Phil.  Tranf.  No.  2a. 
Died  in  1670. 

James 


■Digitized  by  VjOOQI 


U  ANNUAL   REGISTER,   1786. 

} 


James  Sands 

His  Wife 

Countefs  of  Definond 

Eclcfton 

J.  Sagar 

^—  Laurence 

Simon  Sack 

Col.  Thomas  Winflow 

Erancis  Conn  ft 

Chnft.  J.  Drakenberg 

Margaret  Forfter 

ber  Daughter 

Francis  Bons 
John  Brookey 
James  Bowels 
John  Tice 
,John  Mount 
A.  Goldfmith 
Mary  Yates 
John 'Bales 
William  Ellis " 
Louifa  Truxo,  a  Ne- 
grefs  in  S.  America 

Margaret  Patten 

Janet  Taylor 
Richard  Loyd 

Sufannah  Hilliar 
.James  Hay  ley* 


140 
120 
140 

143 
112 
140 
141 
146 

146 
136 
104 
121 
*34 
x5a 
™5 
136 

140 
128 
126 
130 

175 

138 
108 

100 
112 


Staffbrdfhire 
Ditto 

Ireland 

Ditto 

Lancafhire 

Scotland  . 

Trionia 

Ireland 

Yorkfhire 

Norway 

Cumberland 

Ditto. 

France 

Devonfhire 

Killing  worth 

Worccfterihire 

Scotland 

France 

Shropfhire 

Northampton 

Liverpool 

Tucuman,  S.America 

Lockneugh  near  Paif- 

ley 
Fintray,  Scotland 
Montgomery 

Piddington,     North- 

amptonfhire 
Middlewich,Cheihire 
^okeBruerne,  North-: 

amptonfhire 


Died     1770.       Fuller'* 

Worthies,   p.  47. 
Raleigh's  Hift.  p.  166. 
Died        -        1691  .(*) 
1668  (b) 
Living  -  (c) 

Died  May  30,  1764 

—  Aug.  26, 1766 

—  Jan.     -    1768 

—  June  24,  1770  (</) 

Both  living        1771 

Died  Feb.    6,   1769 
Living  -     -     1777    (e) 
Died  Aug.  15,  1656  (/) 

—  March    1774   Q) 

Feb.  2j,.ijy6  (b) 

-  June       1776    (/) 
177(9  (i) 

April  5,  1706    (/) 

— -  Aug.  10,  1780-  (») 

Living  Oft.  5,  1780  (») 


Lynche'sGuide  toHealth 

DiedOa.  10,  1780 
Lynche'sGuide  toHealth 

Died  Feb.  19,  1781    (*> 
Mar.17,1781  (p) 

April  5,   1775  (f) 

not  mentioned  above,  who  was  a  foldier  at 


(k\   Ibidem,  Aug.  22,  1776, 
tfthorp,     (0    See  Inscription  in  the   Portico  of 

All-Saints  Church, 
p.  173.     (m)  London  Even.  Poft,  Aug.  22,  1780. 

(»)  London  Chronicle,  OcL  5,  1780. 
[777*         (°)   Northamp.Mercury,  Feb.  19,  17S1. 

(f)  General  Evening  Poft,  March  24, 

M-        v  173'. 

6.  (q)  Well  known  to  Perfous  of  Credit  at 

[776.      -        Northampton. 


ff 


Digitized  by  VjOOQLC 


NATURAL    HISTORY. 


6i 


If  we  look  back  to  an  early  pe- 
riod of  the  Ghriftian  aera,  we  fball 
find  that  Italy  has  been,  at  lea  ft 
about  that  time,  peculiarly  propi- 
tious to  longevity.  Lord  Bacon  ob- 
ferves,  that  the  year  of  our  Lord 
76,  in  the  reign  of  Vefpahan,  was 
memorable ;  for  in  that  year  was  a 
taxing,  which  afforded  the  molt  au- 


thentic method  of  knowing  the  ages 
of  men.  From  it,  there  were  found 
.in- that  part  of  Italy,  lying  between 
the  Apennine  mountains  and  the 
rive  Po,  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
four  perfons  who  either  equalled  or 
exceeded  one  hundred  years  of  age, 
namely : 


TABLE 

II. 

54 

Perfons 

of    100 

Years  each. 

57 

- 

- 

of    no 

2 

- 

- 

of    125 

4 

- 

- 

of    130 

4 

- 

- 

of    136 

. 

3 

- 

- 

of    140 

In  Parma 

.   3 

- 

- 

Of  '  120 

Years  each. 

2 

- 

- 

of     130 

In  Bruflels 

1 

- 

- 

of     125 

In  Placentia 

I 

r 

of    131 

, 

In  Faventia 

1 

- 

- 

of    132 

6 

- 

- 

of    no 

4 

- 

- 

of    120 

In  Rimino 

X 

- 

- 

of    150 

Years,  viz.  Marcus  Aponius^ 

Mr.  Carew,  in  his  furvey  of  Corn- 
wall, aflures  us,  that  it  is  no  un- 
ufual  thing,  with  the  inhabitants  of 
that  county,  to  reach  ninety  years  of 
age  and  upwards,  and  even  to  retain 
their  ftrength  of  body,  and  perfect 
u(e  of  their  fen(es.  Befides  Brown, 
the  Corniih  beggar,  who  lived  to 
one  hundred  and  twenty,  and  one 
Polezew  to  one  hundred  and  thirty 
years  of  age,  he  remembered  the 
4feceafe  of  four  perfons  in  hi »  own 


parifb,  the  fum  of  whofe  years, 
taken  collectively,  amounted  to  three 
hundred  and  forty.  Now,  although 
longevity  evidently  prevails  more 
in  certain  diftri&s  than  in  others, 
yet  it  is  by  no  means  confined  to 
any  particular  nation  or  climate; 
nor  are  there  wanting  Xnftances  of 
it,  in  almoft  every  <juarter  of  the 
globe,  as  appears  from  the  pre- 
ceding, as  well  as  the  fubfequent 
table. 


TABLE 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


64         ANNUAL    RfeGiSTk  ft,   i;&& 


TABLE    III. 
OF    LONGEVITY. 


Karnes  of  the  PeHbns. 


Age: 


Hippocrates,  Phyfician 
tocmocritus,  Philofopher 
Galen,  Phyfician 
Alhuna  Marc 

DtimiturRaduly 

Titus  Fullonius 

Abraham  Paiba 

L.  Tertulla 

Lewis  Cornaro 

.Robert  Blakeney,  Efq. 

Margaret  Scott 

W.  Gulftone     . 

J.  Bright 

William  Poftell 

Jarie  Reeves 

W.  Paulet,  Marquis  of 

Winchefter 
John  Wilfori 

Patrick  Wiaa 

M.  Laurence 

Evan  Williams 


104 
109 

140 

140 

142 

100 
114 

I2j 
I40 

120 
103 

xo6 

116 

"5 
140 

HS 


Places  of  Abode. 


IflandpfCbs 
Abdera 
Pergamus 
Ethiopia 
Haromfzeck,  Tran- 

filvariia 
Bononia 
Charles-town,  8. 

Carolina 
Arminium 

Venice' 

Armagh,  Iceland 

Dalkeith,  Scotland 

Ireland 
Ludlow 
France 
Efiex 

Hampfhire 

Suffolk 

Leibury,  Northum  • 

berland 
jOrcacles 

Carmarthen  Work- 
J     houfe,  full  alive 


Where  recorded. 


Lynche  on  Health,  Ch.3. 
Bacons  Hiftory,  1095: 
Voff.Inft.  or  Lib.  3. 
Ha wke well's  ap.  Lib.  r. 
Died  Jan.  18, 1782,  Gen. 
gazetteer,  April  1 8th . 
Fulgofus,  Lib.  8. 

General  Gazetteer. 

Fuigofus/Lib.  8. 
Bacon's  Hift.  of  Life,  &p. 

P.  134. 
General  Gazetteer. 
See  Infcrip.  on  Her  Tomb 

in  Dalkeith  Ch.  Yard. 
Fuller's  Worthies, 
Lynche  on  Health. 
Bacon's  Hift.  p.  134. 
St.J.Chron.Junei4,i78i 

Baker's  Chron.  p.  502. 

Iten.Gaz.  0£t  29,  tfSn 
Plempius  Fuhdammed. 

Sec.  4^  Chap.  8. 
Buchanan's  Hift.  of  Scot. 
Gen.  Gazetteer,  0€t.  12; 

178a.  / 


The  antediluvians  are  purpofely 
omitted,  as  bearing  too  little  re- 
ference to  the  prefent  race  o£  mor- 
tals, to  afford  any  fatisfa&ory  con- 
clufions;  and  the  improbable  ftories 
of  fome  perfons,  who  have  almoft 
rivalled  them  in  modern*  timesi  bor- 
der too  much  upon  the  marvellous, 
to  find  a  place  in  thefe  tables.  The 
prefent  examples  are  abundantly 
Sufficient  to  prove,  that  longevity 
does  not  depend  lb  much,  as  has 
been   luppoled,   on  any  particular 


climate,  fituatibn,  or  occupation  in 
life.  For  we  fee,  ^hat  it  often  pre- 
vails in  places  where  all  thefe  are 
extremely  diffiinilar ;  and  it  would,* 
moreover,  be  very,  difficult,  in  the 
hiftories  of  the  feveral  perfons 
above-mentioned,  to  find  any  cir- 
cumftance  common  to  them  all, 
except,  perhaps,  that  of  being  born 
of  healthy  parents,  and  of  being 
inured  to  daily  labour,  temperance, 
and  Simplicity  of  diet.  Among  the 
inferior  ranks  of  mankind,   there2 

for* 


k 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


foATU  RAL    H  I  STORf. 


fere^  rather,  than  amdngft  the  fpns 
of  eafe,  and  luxury,  fhall  we  find 
the  moft  numerous  infiances  of  Ion- , 
gevity  'i  even  frequently,  when  other 
external  ckcumftances  feem  ex- 
tremely unfavourable:  as  in  the 
icafe  of  the  poof  fexton  of  Peter- 
borough, who,  notwithstanding  his 
unpromifing  occupation  among 
dead  bodies,  lived  long  enough  to 
bury  two  crowned  heads,  and  to  fur- 
yive  two  compleat  generations*. 
The  livelihood  of  Henry  Jenkins, 
and  old  Parr,  is  faid  to  have  cohiifted 
bhiefly  of  the  eoarfeft,fare>  as  they 
depended  on  precarious  alms.  To 
which  may  be  added,  the  remark- 
able instance  of  Agnes  Mllburne, 
who,  after  bringing  forth  a  numer- 
ous offspring,-  and  being  obliged, 
through  extreme  indigence,  to  pafs 
the  latter  part  of  her  life  iri  St. 
Luke's  workhoufe;  yfet  reached  her 
hundred  and  fixth  year,  in  that 
fordid,  unfriendly  fituation  fi  The 
fclain  diet,  and  invigorating  em- 
ployments of  a  country  life,  are  ac- 
knowledged, on  aU  hands,  to  be 
highly  conducive  to  health  and  lon- 
gevity^  while  the  luxury  and  refine- 
ments of  large  cities  are  allowed  to 
be  equally  deuru&ive  to  the  human 
fpecies :  and  this  confideration 
alone,  perhaps,  more  than  counter- 
balances all  the  boafted  privileges, 
of  fuperior  elegance  aud  civiliza- 
tion, resulting  from  a  city  life. 

From  country  villages,  and  not 
from  crouded  cities,  have  the  pre- 
ceding in ftances-  of  longevity  been 
ehiefly  fupplied.  .  Accordingly  it 
appears  from  the  London  bills  of 
•  mortality,  during,  a  period  of  thirty 


H 


years;  viz,  from  the  year  tf&%  to* 
1758,  the  funi  of  the  deaths  amount- 
ed to  f$<h3  **>  and  that,  in  all  this 
prodigious  number,  only  two  hun- 
dred and  forty-two  |>effons  furvived 
the  hundredth  year  of  their  age!  This 
overgrown  metropolis  is  Computed, 
by  my  learned  friend  Dr.  iPrice,  to 
contain  a  ninth  part  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  England,  and  to  confume 
annually  fevcn  ihbufand  feirfons, 
who  remove  intd  it  from  the  coun- 
try every  yea£,  without  incrciafing 
it.  He  moreover  obferves,  that  the 
number  of  inhabitants  in  England 
and  Wales  has  diminlfhe'd*,  about 
one  fourth  part,  fince  the  revolu- 
tion, and  fo  rapidly  of  la"te,  that,  in> 
eleven  years/  near  2do,ooo  bf  out 
common  people  nave  been  loft  %  !  If 
the  calculation  be  juft,  however 
alarming  it  may  appear  in  a  na- 
tional view,  thete  is  this*  cdrtfola- 
tion,  when  confidered  in  a  philo- 
fophical  light,  that  without  partial 
evii,  therb  can  be  hd  general  good  ; 
and  that,  what  a  nation  lofes  in  the 
fcale  of  population  at  one  period,  it 
gains  at  another;  and  thus, probably, 
tbd  average  number  df  inhabitants 
oh  the  furface  of  thfe  globe  vton- 
tinues,  at  all  times,  nearly  the  fame. 
By  this  medium  the  world  is  neither 
overstocked  with  inhabitants,  nor 
kept  too  thin,  but  life  and  death 
keep  a  tolerably  equal  pace*  The 
inhabitants  of  this  aland,  Compa- 
ratively ipeaking,  are  but  as  the 
duft  of  the  balance ;  yet,  inftead  of 
being  diminished,  we  are  aifuted  by 
other  writers,  that  within  thefe 
thirty  y£ars>  they  are  greatly  in* 
creafed  ||. 


•  Fuller's  Worthies,  p;   193,  from  a  memorial  in  the  cathedral   at  Peter- 
borough; 

t  Lynche's  Guide  to  Health,  CTIIL 

{ObftrvatioiiS  on  PojpulatioPi  &c.  p.  305. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Howler,  &£.  Wales,  aid  othtti* 
Vow  XXXVIII.  F  The 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1785. 


or  upwards,  and  mentioning  whe* 
ther  his  parents  were  healthy,  long- 
lived  people,  &c.  &c.  An  accurate 
regifter  thus  eftabliihed  through- 
out the  Britifh  dominions,  wou)d  bo, 
productive  of  many  important  ad- 
vantages to  faciety,  not  only  in  a 
medical  and  philofophical,  but  alfo 
in  a  political  and  moral  view.  It 
is  therefore  to  be  hoped,  that  the 
legHlature  will  not  long  delay  tak- 
ing an  object  of  iuch  great  utility 
into  their  ferious  confederation. 

All  the  circumftances  that  af* 
moft  eflentially  neceflary  to  life, 
may  be  comprifed  under  the  fi* 
following  heada : 


«6 

The  acfire  of  ^felf-prefervation,  the  diet,  and  regimen  of  every  pdfc* 
and  of  protracting  the  uiort  fpan  of  Ton  who  dies  at  eighty  years  of  age 
life,  is  Cq  idtimately  interwoven 
with  our  constitution,  that  it  is  juftry 
efteemed  one  of  the  firft  principles 
of  our  nature,  and  in  fpite  even  of 
pain  and  mifery,  feldom  quits  us  to 
the  laft  moments  of  our  exiftenct. 
It  feems,  therefore,  to  be  no  lefs 
our  duty  than  our  intereft,  to  exa- 
mine minutely  into  the  various 
means  that  have  been  confidered  as 
Conducive  to  health  and  long  life; 
and,  if  poflible,  to  diftinguifh  fnch 
circumftances  as  are  eflential  to  that 
great  end,  from  thofe  which  are 
merely  accidental.  But  here,  it  is 
much  to  be  regretted,  that  an  accu- 
rate hiftory  of  the  lives  of  all  the 
remarkable  perfons  in  the-» above 
table,  !lq  far  as  relates  to  the  diet, 
regimen,  and  the  ufe  of  the  nan- 
natural*,  has  not  been  faithfully 
nanded  down  to  us  j  without  which, 
k  is  impoflible  to  draw  the  neceflary 
inferences.  Is  it  not  then  a  matter 
*f  altoniihment,  that  hiftorians  and 
plvilofophers  huve  hitherto  paid  fo 
little  attention  to  longevity?  If 
the  prefent  imperfect  lilt  fhould  ex- 
cite others,  of  more  leifnre  and  bet- 
ter abilities,  to  undertake  a  full  in- 
yeftigation  of  fo  interesting  a  Sub- 
ject, the,  enquiry  might  prove  not 
only  curious,  but  highly  uieful  to 
mankind.  In  order  to  furnifh  ma- 
terials for  a  future  hifrory  of  longe- 
vity, the  bills  of  mortality,  through- 
out the  kingdom,  ought  firft  to  be 
.jevifed,  and  put  on  a  better  foot-1 
log  5  agreeably  to  the  fcheme  which 
you  pointed -out  fome  time  ago,  and 
of  which  Manchefter  and  Chefter 
have  already  given  a  fpectmen, 
highly  worthy  of  imitation.  The 
plan,  however,  might  be  further 
Wproved,  with  very  little  trouble, 


Air  and  climate. 

Meat  and  drink. 

Motion  and  reft. 

Sdeep  and  watching. 

'the  fecretions  and  excretion^1 

Auctions  of  the  mind. 


Thefe,  though  all  perfectly  na- 
tural to  the  constitution,  have  by 
writers  been  ftyled  non -naturals, 
by  a  ftrange  perveriion  of  language ; 
and  have  been  all*  copioufly  handled 
under  that  improper  term.  How- 
ever, it  may  not  be  amifs  to  offer 
a  few  fhort  obfervations  on  each; 
as  they  are  fo  immediately  connected 
with  the  prefent  fubjeift. 

1.  Air,  fcc— It  has  long  been 
known,  that  frefh  air  is  more  hn- 
•mediately  neceflary  to  life  than 
food  3  for  a  man  may  live  two  or 
three  days  without  the  latter,  but 
not  many  minutes,  without  the  for- 
mer. •  The  vivifying  principle  con- 
tained in  the  atmofphere,  fo  eflen- 
tial to  the  fupport  ef  flame,  as  well 


)y  adding  a  particular  account  oTas  animal  life,  concerning  which 

v  aathor* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


NATURAL    HISTORY. 


«7 


authors  have  pfopofed  fo  many  con- 
jectures, appears  now  to  be  nothing 
elfe  but*  that  pure  dephlogifticated 
,  fluid  lately  diicovered  by  that  inge- 
nious phifofopher,  Dr.  Prieftley. 
The  common  atmofphere  may  well 
be  fupppfed  to  be  more  or  lefs 
bealthy,  in  proportion  as  it  abounds 
with  this  animating  principle.  As 
this  exhales,-  in  copious  ftreams, 
from  the  green  leaves  of  all  kinds  of 
-  vegetables,  even  from  thofe  of  the 
molt  poifonous  kind,  may  we  not, 
in  forne  meafure,  account  why  in- 
itances  of  longevity  are  fo  much 
rjaore  frequent  in  the  country  than 
In  great  cities,  where  the  air,  in- 
ilead  of  partaking  fo  largely  of  this 
ialiitary  impregnation,  is  daily  con- 
taminated with  noxious  animal  ef- 
fluvia, and  phlogifton  ? 

With  refpe&  to  climate,  various 
obfervations  confpire  to  prove,  that 
thofe  regions,  which  lie  within  the 
temperate  eoaes,  are  beft  calculated 
to  promote  long  life.  Hence,  per- 
haps, may  be  explained,  why  Italy 
has  produced  fo  many  long  livers, 
and  why  iflands  in  general  are  more 
falutary  than  continents  $  of  which 
Bermudas,  and  fome  others,  a#brd 
examples.  And  it  is  a  pleafing  cir- 
cumi^anee,  that  our  own  illand  ap- 
pears-from  the  above  table,  (not- 
withftanding  the  fuddeh  viciffitudes 
•to  which  it  is  liable)  to  contain  far 
more  instances  of  longevity  than 
could  well  be  imagined.  The  in- 
genious -Mr.  Whitehurft  afiures  us, 
.  from  certain  fads,  that  Engliihmen 
are,  m  general,  longer  lived  than 
North  Americans  5  and,  that  a  Bri- 
tish con&itution  will    laft  longer, 


even  in  that  climate,  than  a  native 
one*.  But/  it  mull  be  allowed  ill 
general,  that  the  -human  conititu- 
tion  is  adapted  to  the  peculiar  ftate 
and  temperature  of  each  refpe&iva 
.  climate  $  fo  that  no  part  of  the  ha- 
bitable globe  can  be  pronounced 
tooobot,  or  too  cold,  for  its  inha- 
bitants. Yet,  in  order  to  promote 
a  friendly  intercourfe  between  the 
moft  remote  regions,  the  Author  o£ 
Nature  has  wifely  enabled  the  inha- 
bitants to  endure  great  and  furpri- 
fing  changes  of  temperature,  with 
impunity  f. 

2.  Foods  and  drink.  ~~  Though 
foods  and  drink  of  the  moft  fimple 
kinds  are  allowed  to  be  the  beft 
calculated  for  the  fupporting  'the 
body  in  health,  yet  it  can  hardl/ 
be  doubted,  but  variety  may  be 
fafely  indulged  occasionally,  pro- 
vided men  would  reftrain  their  ap- 
petites within  the  bounds  of  tern-* 
perance.  For  bountiful  nature  can- 
not be  fuppofed  to  have  poured  forth 
fuch  a  rich  profufion.  of  provifion^ 
merely,  to  tantalize  the  human  fpe- 
cies,  without  attributing  to  her  the 
.part  of  a  cruel  ftep-dame,  in  (lead 
of  that  of  the  kind  and  indulgent 
parent.  Befides,  we  find,  that  by 
the  wonderful  powers  of  the  di- 
gestive organs*  a.  variety  of  animal 
and  vegetablS  fubftances,  of  very 
difeordant  principles,  are  happily 
aflimilated  into  one  blancl  homoge- 
neous chyle  5  therefore,  it  feems 
.natural  to  diftruft  thofe  cynical 
writers*  who  would  rigidly  confine 
.mankind  'to  one  fimpJe  dilli,  and 
their  drink  to  the  mere  .water  of 
the  brook.    Nature,  it  is  tn*e,  has 


*  Enquiry  into  the  Original  State  awd  Formation  of  the  Earth. 
•f-  See  remarkable  inftances  of  this,  in  the  account  of  experiments  in  aheatti 
jQftym,  by  Dr.  George  Fordyce,  and  others*  ■  ■ 

Phil,  trtof.  Vol.  IXLTt* 


F  % 


pointed 


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ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


68 


pointed  out  that  mild,  infipid  fluid, 
as  the  univerfel  diluent  3  and,  there- 
fore, moll  admirably  adapted  for 
our  daily  beverage.  But  experience 
has  equally  proved,  that  vinous 
-and  fpiritous  liquors,  on  certain 
occafions,  are  no  lefs  falutary  and 
beneficial,  whether  it  be  to  fupport 
ftrength  againft  ficknefs,  or  bodily 
fatigue,  or  to  exhilarate  the  mind 
under  the  prefTure  of ,  heavy  mis- 
fortunes. But  alas !  wfcat  nature 
meant  for  innocent  and  ufeful  cor- 
dials, to  be  ufed  only  occafionally, 
and  according  to  the  direction  of 
reafon;  cuftom  and  caprice  have, 
by  degrees,  rendered  habitual  to  the 
human  frame,  and  liable  to  the 
•moft  enormous  and  deftru&ive  a- 
bufes  ?  Hence  it  may  be  juftly 
doubted,  whether  gluttony  and  in- 
-  temperance  have  .not   depopulated 

•  the  world,  more  than  even  fword, 
-peftilejice,  and  famine.  True,  there- 
fore, is  the  did  maxim,  "  Modus  utendi 
€X  <vtncno  facit  Mcdicamentwn,  ex  Me- 
dkamjnto,  venerium" 

s-  3.  and  4.  Motion  and  reft,  fleep 
aiid  watching. — It  is  allowed,  on 
all  hands,  .that  alternate  motion 
and  reft,  and  ileep  and  watching, 
*are  necefiary  conditions  to  health 
and  longevity  j  and  tha\  they  ought 
to  be  adapted  to  age,  temperament, 

•  conftitution,  temperature  of  the  cli- 
-mate,  &c.  but  the  errors  which  man- 

•  kind  daily  commit  in  thefe  refpe^ts 
become  a  fruitful  fource  of  dif- 
eafeg.  While  fome  are  bloated  and 
relaxed  with  eafe  and  indolence, 

.  others  are  emaciated,  and  become 
xigid,  through  hard  labour,  watch- 
ing, and  fatigue. 

5.  Secretions  and  excretions. — 
'Where the  animal  functions  are  duly 
performed,  the  fecretions  go  on  fo 
regularly  -,  and  the  different  evacua- 
tions fo  exactly  cofrefpond  to  the 


quantity  of  aliment  taken  iff,  if!  9 
given  time,  that  the  body  is  found  to 
return  daily  to  nearly  the  fame 
weight.  If  any  particular  evacuation 
happen  to  be  ptfeternaturally  dimi- 
nished, fome  other  evacuation  is  pro- 
portionally augmented,  and  the  e- 
quilibriura  is  commonly  preferred  5 
but  continued  irregularities  in  thefe 
important  functions  cannot  but  ter- 
minate in  difeafe, 

6\  Affeaions  of  the  mind.— The 
due  regulation  of  the  paffions,  per- 
haps, contributes  more  to  health  and 
longevity,  than  thfct  of  any  other  of 
the  non-naturals.  The  animating 
paflions,  fuch  as  joy,  hope,  love,  &c. 
when  kept  within  proper  bounds,, 
gently  excite  the  nervous  influence, 
promote  an  equable  circulation,  and 
are  highly  conducive  to  health  j 
while  the  depreffing  affections,  fuch 
as  fear,  grief,  and  defpair,  pro- 
duce the  contrary  effect,  and  lay  ibe 
f6undation  of  the  moft. formidable 
difeafes. 

From  the  light  which  hiftory  af- 
fords us>  as  well  as  from  fome 
inftances  in  the  above  table,  there 
is  great  reafon  to  believe,  that 
longevity  is,  in  a  great  meafure, 
hereditary;  and  that  healthy,  long- 
lived  parents  would  commonly  trans- 
mit the  fame  to  their  children,  were 
it  not  for  the  frequent  errors  in 
the  nonrnaturalsy  Which  fo  evidently 
tend  to*  the  abbreviation  of  human 
•  life. 

Whence  is  it,  but  frprn  thefe 
caufes,  and  the  unnatural  modes 
of  living,  that,  of  all  the  children 
which  are  born  in  the  capital  cities 
of  Europe,  nearly  one  half  die  in 
early  infancy?  To  what  elfe  can 
we  attribute  this  extraordinary  mor- 
tality } '  Such  an  amazing  propor- 
tion of  premature  deaths  is  a  cir- 
cumftance  unheard  of  aradng  favage 

nations, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


NATURAL    HISTORY. 


to.- 


nations,  or  among  the  young  of 
other  animals !  In  theearlieft  ages, 
we  are  informed,  that  human  life 
wasprotra&ed  to  a  very  extraor- 
dinary length ;  yet  how  few  per- 
fons,  in  thefe  latter  times,  arrive  at 
that  period  which  nature  feems  to 
have  deiigned !  Man  is,'  by  na- 
ture, xa  field-animal,  and  feems 
deftined  to  rife  with  the  fun,  and 
to  fpend  a  large  portion  of  his  time 
in  the  open  air,  to  inure  his  body 
to  robuft  exercifes,  and  the  incle- 
mency of  the  feafons,  and  to  make 
a  plain  homely  repafj,  only  when 
hunger  dictates.  But  art  has  ftu- 
dioufly  defeated  the  kind  intentions 
of  nature ;  and  by  enflaving  him 
to  all  the  blandimments  of  fenfe, 
has  left  him,  alas !  an  eafy  vi&im 
to  folly  and  caprice!  To  enume- 
rate the  various  abufes,  which  take 
place  from  the  earlieft  infancy,  and 
which  are  continued  through  the 
fucqeeding  ftages  of  modiih  life, 
would  carry  me  far  beyond  my  pre- 
fent  intention.  Suffice  it  to  ob- 
ferve,  that  they  prevail  more  par- 
ticularly among  people,  who  are  tfie 
moft  highly  poliihed  and  refined.— 
To  compare  their  artificial  mode  of 
life,  with  that  of  nature,  or  even 
with  the  long  livers  in  the  lift, 
would,  probably,  afford  a  very 
Striking  contraft ;  and,  at  the  fame 
time,  fupply  an  additional  reafon 
why,  in  very  large  cities,  inftances 
of  longevity  are  fo  very  rare.  O'f 
late  years*  the  increasing  luxury  and 


dHEpation  of  the  age,  no  longer 
confined  to  the  metropolis*  have  . 
fpread  their  contagion  far  and  wide 
into  the  country,  fo  as  to  afford  the 
fage  divine,  and  fpeculative  mo* 
ralift,  a  more  melancholy  profpedr. 
of  the  apparent  degeneracy  of  the 
human  race,  than  perhaps  was  ever 
before  exhibited*  ! 

That  fo  complicated  3s  machine, 
as  the  human  body,  fo  delicate  in  . 
its  texture,  and  fo  exquifitely  form- 
ed in  all  its  parts,  ihould  continue, 
for  fo  many  years,   to  perform  its 
various  fundious,  even  under  the 
moll  prudent  conduct,  is  not  a  little 
furprizing  :   but  that  it  ihould  ever- 
hold  out  to  any  advanced  period, , 
under  all  the  rude  fhocks  it  fo  often , 
meets  with  from  riot  and  intempe- 
rance, which  lay  it  open  to  all  the 
various  "  ills  that  flefh  is  heir  to,"x 
is  (till  more  truly  miraculous!     But 
here,  perhaps,  it  maybe  alledged, 
that  it  never  can  be  fuppofed,  all  the 
long  livers  puriued  one  uniform,  re-* 
gular  courfe  of  life,  fince  it  is  well 
known,  that  fome  of  the  mod  noted, 
ones  were  fometimes  guilty  of  great, 
deviations  from  ftrict  temperance 
and  regularity.     Let  not  this,  how- 
ever,   encourage   the  giddy  liber- 
tines of  the   prefent  age  to  hope 
to  render  their  continued  fcenes  of 
intemperanceand.debauchery.com* 
patible  with  health  and  longevity. 
The  duties  and  occupations  of  life 
will  not,  indeed,  permit  the  gene- 
rality of  mankind  to  Uve'by  rule, 


*  I  fay  apparently,  l*ecaule  mankind,    in  reality,,  have  been  equally  prone  to 
vice  and  foHy  in  all  ages  $  only  thefe  have  afluwed  different  appearances,  according 
to  the  tafte  and  manners  of  the  times  :  not  that  the  human  heart  has  beep  fucceflive-< « 
\y  growing  more  and  more  depraved,  as  the  poet  fatirically  e^cliims, 

Mtzs  parentum,  pejor  avis,  tulit 

Mos  nequiores  \  mox  daturos 

frQgeniem  vUvofiorem!  Hon,  Lib.  III.  Ode  6,  • 

F3  *x*& 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


70         ANNUAL    REGISTER,    i7%6. 


and  fubjeft  thetnfetves  to  a  precife 
regimen.  Fortunately/  thjs  is  not 
neceffary:  for  the  divine  Architect 
has,  with  infinite  wifdom,  rendered 
the  human  frame  fo  du&tle,  as  to 
admit  of  a  very  confidsrable  /»//- 
tudt  of  health-,  ytt  this  has  its 
bounds,  which  none  can  long  tranf- 
jgrefs  with  impunity.  For  if  old 
Parr,  notwithftanding  fome  excefles 
and  irregularities,  arrived  at  fo 
aftonifhing  an  age,  yet  we  have 
reafon-to  fupjpbfc  that  thefe  were 
far  from  being  habitual  5  and  may 
aMb  conclude,  that  had  it  not  been 
for  thefe  abules,  his  life  might 
have  been  ftill  considerably  pro- 
truded. 

On  the  whole,  though  fome  few 
-exceptions  may  occur  to  what  has 
been  already  advanced,  yet  it  will 
be  found,  in  general,  that  all  ex- 
tremes are  unfriendly  to  health .  and 
longevity.    Exceflive  heat  enervates 
the  body  5  extreme  cold  renders  it 
torpid :  doth  and  inactivity  clog  the 
neceffary  movements  of    the   ma- 
chine 5  Inceffant  labour  foon  wears 
it  out.    On  the  other  hand,  a  tem- 
perate climate,  moderate  excrcife, 
pure  country  air,  and  ftri&  tempe-* 
xance,  together  with  a  prudent  re- 
^  cmlafinti  of  tht*.  n*f[\ans,  will  prove 
is  means  of  pro-* 
utraoft  limits.— 
sfe, require  more 
than  the  reft,  it 
he  laft:  for  the 
ke  gentle    gales, 
ffel  calmly  along 
,    wliile,   on  the 
ti  turbulent  ones 
>  and  quickfands. 
it   may  be    ex- 
ultivation  of  phi- 
l  the  fine  arts,  all 
end  to  hmuaaize 


the  foul,  and  to  calm  the  rougher 
paffions,  are  fo  highly  conducive  to 
longevity.  And,  finally^  why  there 
is  no  fare  method  of  fecuring  that 
habitual  calmneis  and  ferenity  of 
mind,  which  conftitute  true  happi-, 
neis,  and  which  are,  at  the  fame 
time,  (o  eflential  to  health  and  long 
life,  without  virtue. 
**  Mouar&mitaz  Jola,' atque  unlcafeliatas" 

I  hope  you  will  excufe  the  pro- 
lixity of  this  letter,  'and  believe  me 
to  be,  with  the  higheft  efteero. 

Dear  fir,  ypur  fincere  friend,, 
and  faithful  humble  fervant, 

A.  FoTJiERGIJ,L. 

London,  AW.f  23,  1 7 S 2 . 


/?  efult  of  fome  JOlfervations  relative 
to  Army  Dileafes,  made  by  Ben- 
jamin Ruih,  M.D.  Ptofejfor  of 
Cbemiftry  in  the  Unrverftty  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, during  his  attendance  as 
Phyfecian  General  of  the  Military 
Hofpitals  of  the  United  States  of 
America ,  in  the  late  War,  Com- 
municated by  Mr.  Thomas  Henry, 
F.R.S.  e-fr. 

To  Mr.  THOMAS  HENRY. 

Dear  Sir, 

THE  inclofed  obfcrvations  arb 
at  your  fervice.  Inftead  of 
dilating  them  with  theories  and 
cafes,  which  would  add  only  to  the 
number  of  books^  but  not  to  the 
ltock  of  fads,  I  fend  them  to  you  in 
as  fhort.a  compafa  as  poifible. 
They  are  notYo  fit  for  the  public 
«ye  as  I  couhj  wifh ;  but  if  yoa 
think  them  worthy  of  a  place  in 
your  Tranfaftions,  you  are  welcome 
to  them. 

Be 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


NAJURfAX    HISTORY, 


7i 


x  Be  afluredj.D^i:  fir,  of  -the,  great 
Regard  of  your  &ienfl-  and  fumble 
fervant,*  .* 

¥htiadd$ia>  July  aa,  J^5r.. 

Refult  o/*Obfefvations,  fcfr.  - 

•z't  fjie-  principal  difeafes  wer? 
putrid  fevers.  Men,  wljo  cape 
into  the  .hofpitals  with,  pl^uiriues, 
raeu^natifEUs,  Sec.  foon  loft  the  types 
of  t^eir  original  difeafes,  and  fuf- 
fered, .  or .  died,  with  the  putrid 
iever.v;  .,  ,    .  <  t,    \ 

2.  This"  putrid  fever  was  often 
artificial,  produced  by  the  want  of 
fufficient  room  ana  cleanlinefs. 

3.  It  always  prevailed  moft,  and 
with  the  worft  fymptoms,  in  winter : 
a  free  air,  which  could  only  be  ob- 
tained in  fummer,  always  prevent- 
ed or  checked  it. 

4.  Soldiers,  billeted  in  private 
houies,  efcaped  it,  and  generally 
recovered  fooneft  from  all  their  dif- 
eafes. 

5.  Convalescents,   and  drunken 
.  foldiers,  were  moft  expofed  to  pu- 
trid fevers.  % 

6.  The  remedies  that  appeared 
to  do  moft  fervice  in  this  difeafe, 
were  tartar  emetic  ,4 n  the  begin- 
ning* gentle  dofes  of  laxative  falts, 
bark,  wine,  (two  or  three  bottles 
a  day  in  many  cafes)  and  fal  vo- 
latile. 

7.  In  all  thofe  cafes  where  the 
contagion  was  received,  cold  feldom 
failed  to  render  it  active.  ,  When- 
ever an  hofpital  "was  removed  in 
winter,  one  half  of  the  patients  ge- 
nerally lickened  in  the  way,  or  foon 
after  their  arrival  at  the  place  to 
which  they  were  feufc. 

8.  The  army,  when  it  lay(  in 
tents,  was  always  more  fickly  than 
.when  it  lay  in  the  open  air :  it  was 


always  more  heajthy  when  kept  in 
motion,  than  \vheh  it  lay  in  an'  en- 
.ca^Dment. 

.  9.  .Militia  officers,  and  foldiers, 
who  enjoyed  health  during  a  cam- 
paign, were  often  feized  with  fei;er> 
upon  their  return  to  the  vjtamilihj 
at  their  refpe&ive  homes.  There 
was  one  iriiiahceof  a  militia  cap- 
taini  who  was.  feized  with  convul- 
iions  the  firft  night  he  lay  on  a  fea^ 
ther-bed,  after  lying  ieverai  months 
on  a  matrafs  and  on  the  ground. 
The  fever  was  produced  by  the  fiia- 
deu  cj^apge  in  t;he  manner  of  fleec- 
ing, living,',  &c.  Jt  was  prevented, 
in  many  cafes,  by  the  perfon  lying, 
for  a  few  nights  after  his  return  to 
his  family,  on  a  blanket  before  the 
fire. 

10.  I  met  with  feveral  inftance* 
of  buboes,  and  ulcers  in  the  throat, 
as  defcribed  by  Dr.  Don.  Monro; 
they  were  miftaken  by  fome  of  the 
junior  ^furgeons'  for  venereal  fores, 
but  they  yielded  to  the  common 
remedies  of  putrid  fevers. 

ir.  Thofe  patients  in  putrid  fe- 
vers, who  had  large  ulcers,  and 
even  mortifications  on  their  backs  or 
limbs,  generally  recovered. 

12.  There  were  many  inftarices  of 
, patients  in  putrid  fevers,  who,  with- 
out any  apparent  fymptoms  of  dif- 
folution,  fuddenly  fell  down  dead,  ! 
upon  being  moved  5  this  was  more  - 
especially  the  cafe,  when  they  arofe 
to  go  to  ftopU 

13.  Thofe  officers,  who  wore  flan- 
nel lhirts  or  waiftcoats  next  to  their 
ikin,  in  general  efcaped  fevers,  and 
difeafes  of  all  kinds. 

14.  Lads  under  .twenty  years  of 
age  were  fubjeet  to  the  greateft 
number  of  camp  difeafes. 

15.  The  foutnern  troops  were 
more  fickly,  than  the  northern  V" 
eaftenr  troops.     ' 

F  4  16:  The 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


72        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786, 

1$.  The  native  Americans  were  in  a  Virginia  tegiment  throw  away 

more  fickly  tnan  th^  Europeans.  his  ration  of  choree  frefh  beef,  anq 

17.  Men  above  thirty  and  thirty-  give  feyen  fhilliugs  and  fix  pence 

five  years  of  age,  were  the  hardieft  fpecie  for  §  pound  of  fait  meat, 

foldiers  in  the  army.    Perhaps  this  19.  Mpft  of  the  fufferings,  and 

was  the  reafon,  why  the  Europeans  mortality  in  our  hofpitals,  were  6c- 

were  more  healthy  than  the  native  caiioned  npt  fq  much  by  adual  want 

Americans;    they  were  more  ad-  or  fcarcity*of  apy  thing,  as  by  the 

vaiiced  in  life.  ignorance,  negligence,  &c.  in  pro- 

j8.  The  troops  from  Maryland,  viding  neceflaries  for  them.    Aftet 

Virginia,  and  North  Carolina,  ficli;-  the  purveying,  and  dire  fling  apart- 

ened  for  the  ivani  of  fait  provisions,  ments  were  feparated  (agreeably  to 

iTheir  flrength  and  fpirits  were  only  the  advice  of  Dr.  MonJrb)  in  the 

to  be  reftored  to  thejn  by  means  of  year  1778,  very  few  of  the  Ameri« 

fait  bacon.    I  once  faw.a  private  can  army  died  in  9UT  hofpitals* 


USEFUL 


dby.L:  lO 


C    73    3 


v  m 


USEFUL    PROJECTS, 


Qbjeruattons  on  the  nfe-  of  Acids  h 
bleaching  of  Linen.  By  Dr.  Eafon. 
from  the  foregoing  'work, 

THIJ  ufe  of  acids  in  bleaching 
of  linen,  has  been  long 
Jcnown.  Fonnerly  milfc  was  chiefly 
employed  5  but  it  had  feveral  in- 
conveniences. The  quantity  re- 
quisite could  fcarcely  be  obtained  \ 
its  effect  was  flow  5  and,  containing 
animal  matter,  it  was  apt  to  rot  and 
Jpoil  the  cloth. 

About  thirty  years  ago  it  was 
difcovered,  that  the  foffil  acids,  wlien 
properly  diluted  with  water>  an- 
iwered  much  better,  and  would  do 
niore  in  a  few  hours,  than  animal 
acids  could  do  in  a  week,  in  facilir 
tating  the  whitening  of  cloth. 

At  firftit  was  imagined^  that  the 
mineral  acids  would  be  apt  to  burn 
or  corrode  linen  fubftances,  when 
imirierfed  in  them,  $ut  expedience 
foon  difpelled  fuch  fears,  and  cpn- 
vinced  bleachers,  that,  by  proper 
management,  the  danger  was  next 
to  none. 

According  to  the  ftrength  of  the 
'  acids,  they  tauft  be  mixed  with  wa- 
ter, fometimes  to  feven  hundred 
times  their  bulk.   * 

The  nitrous  acid,  being  the  moft 
corrofive,  and  moft  expenfive,  has 
not  been  ufed. 


The  vitriolic  acid  is  that  which 
has  univerfally  been  employed^  not  * 
becaufe  it  is  preferable  to  thp  ma« 
riatioacid,  but  becaufeit  was  to  be* 
bought  in  large  quantities,  and  at' 
a  fmall  expence. 

The  muriatic  acid  being  now 
fold  nearly  as  cheap  as  the  vitri- 
olic, and  aufwering  in  a  fuperio* 
degree,  will,  in  a  fnort  time,  I  am 
convinced^  be  generally  adopted  by 
bleachers. 

Ap  I  mull  confefs  my  ignorance 
in  the  art  of  bleaching,  it  may  feem 
prefumptuous  in  me  to  hazard  a 
conje&ure  concerning  the  manner 
in  which  acids  ad  in  whitening 
cloth  5  but  it  feems  probable,  that 
alkaline  falts,  which  are  "ufed  in 
wafhing  out  the  oil  and  glutinous 
parts  of  flax,  on  which  the  green 
colour  depends,  d^P0***  an  earth 
in  the  pores  of  the  cloth.  As  it  is 
known  that  acids  will  alfo  difibl  ve 
the  earthy  parts  of  vegetables,  that 
acid  ftiould  be  preferred  which  will 
keep  earthy  particles  fufpended  in 
water.  Tne  vitriolic,  therefore,  is 
not  fo  proper  $  becaufe,  with  earthy 
fubftances,  it  forms  irnmediately  a 
felenite,  a  fubftance  only  foluble 
in  a  very  la rge  quantity  of  water* 
This  felenitic  matter,  adhering  to 
the  threads  of  the  cloth,  will  injura 
it,   and  -  make  \X  feel  hard  to  the 

touch. 


Digitized  by  CjOOQIC 


*4 


ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1785.. 


touch,  and  probably  is  the  reafon 
why  fome  linens*  wear  fo  badly. 

When  the  muriatic  acid  is  ufed,' 
no  felenite  is  formed.  Whatever 
quantity  of  earthy  matter  is  diffolved 
by  it,  is  eali)y  wafhed  out  by  pure 
foft  Water,  arid  the  cloth  having  a 
foft  f>lky'Yeel,  feems  to  ftrengthen 
this  conjecture. 

As  the  muriatic  acid  is  now  fold  at 
three-pence  per  pound,  and  the  com- 
mon vitriolic  add  at  four-pence  half- 
penny ;  and^s  the  muriatic  acid  will, 
19  proportion,"  acidulate  a  larger 
quantity  of  water  than  the  vitriolic, 
heixles  the  gieat  probability  of  its 
a&fwering  better  in  whitening  of 
cjotb,.  £he  bleachers  in  this  part  of 
the  world  would  do  well  to  give  it 
»  fair  t* iai.  • 


Experiments  and  Obfervattovs  on  Fer- 
ments and  Fermentation  5  by  which 
ting  Fermentation, 
'without  the  aid 
>d  out ;  *with  an 
x  ne<vo  theory  of 
Thomas  Henry, 
e  fame. 


ia  nugraat  J 
&  cogit. 

^CRBTIUf. 

bemiftry, 
lone,  the 
been  lefs 
an  thofe 
riters  on 
:nt  to  4e- ' 
nces,  the 
lentation, 
|uiry  into 
the  mode 


by  which  the  changes,  induced  by  it, 
dre  effected  in  bodies,  which  are  the 
objects  of  its  action. 

Within  thefe  few  years,  great 
changes  have  taken  place  in  the 
theory  of  cheniiftry.  The  important 
difeovefies  of  Black  arid  Prieftley,  and 
of  fevefal  other  philosophical  die- 
mi  fts,  who  have  endeavoured  to 
emulate  their  examples,  have  hap- 
pily explained  many  of  the  opera- 
tions of  chemiftry,  which  were,  be- 
fore, wholly  unintelligible  :  and  the 
prefent  time  forms  one  o/  the  rooft 
diiiiiigui(hed,  aeras  in  the  biftory  of 
that  fcience.  We  now  understand 
the  nature  of  lime  and  of  alkalis 5 
the  difference  between  a  me{$V  *9^ 
its  calx  5  the  caufe  of  the  Ipcreafe 
of  weight  in:  the  latter,  ^nd; of  iU 
decreafe  when  returned  to  a  metal- 
lic form.  The  Gonftitution  of  atmo* 
fpheric  air.  has  been  demonstrated.-— 
Various  gales,  refembling  air  in 
many  points,  but  differing  from  it 
in  others,  nave  been  difcovered; 
and,  among  theie,  an,  «tbere#i  fluid, 
fuperior,  in  its  properties  to  com- 
mon air,  and  capable  of  fupport* 
ing  life. and  combuftion  mate,  vi- 
gorously and  durably.  Our  ac- 
quaintance with  this  pure  fluid, 
which  forms  the  vital  part  of  com- 
mon air,  feems  to  proraife  much 
enlargement  tp  our  chemical  know- 
ledge, in  the  investigation  of  its 
various  combinations ;  and  we  have 
already  derived  much  information, 
relative. to  the  conftitution  of  the 
acids,  and  of  water,  from  the  re- 
fear  ches  of  philofophers  into,  th# 
nature  of  pure  air* 

Of  the  gafes  which  have  fo  much 
engaged  the  attention  of  the  pneu*  • 
matic-chemifts,   fixed  -air,    or,   &3 
it  has  more  properly  been  denomi- 
nated by  SirToFbern  Bergman,  aerial 


Digjtized  by  VjOOQIC 


USEFUL    PROJECTS. 


15 


add,  was  that  which  firft  attra&ed 
their  notice.  This  gas,  which  had 
been  remarked,  even  by  Van  Hel- 
jnaont,  to  be  diicharged  in  great 
quantities  from  liquors,  in  the  vi- 
nous fermentation,  was  found  by 
l)r*  Prieftley  to  be  again  mifcible 
with  them.  5  and  he  proved  that,  on 
the  prefence  of  this  gas,  the  briik- 
nefs  and  pleafantnefs  of  thefe  li- 
quors depended,  and  that,  when  de- 
prived of  it,  they  became  vapid 
«ad  flat. 

But  though  the  -hon.  Mr.  Ca* 
▼eridifh  had  proved  the  feparation, 
and  afcertained  the  quantity  of  this 
gas,  discharged  in  fermentation, 
and  though  Dr.  Prieuley  had  early, 
..made  the  above-mentioned  obser- 
vations, it  does  not  appear  to  have 
occurred  to  thefe  philoibphers,  that 
this  gas  was  the  exciting  caufe, 
as  well,  as  the  product,  of  fermen- 
tation, c 

It  is  a  fad  weH  known  to  brew- 
ers of  malt-liquors,  that  wort,  conn 
trary  to  what  takes  place  in.  liquors 
more  purely  faccharine,  as  the  juice 
of  the  grape,  cannot  be  brought 
into  the  vinous  fermentation,  with- 
out the  addition  of  a  ferment;  for 
which  purpofe  yeaft  or  barm,  which 
\s  a  vifcid  frothy  fubftance,  taken 
from  the  furface  of  other  mafles  of 
fermenting  'liquor,  has  been  com- 
monly ufed. 

.  But  the  nature  of  this  fubftance, 
-much  lefs  its  mode  of  adion,  has 
not  been  considered  with  that  de- 
gree of  attention,  which  one  would 
have  expected  mould  have  beenex- 
qited  by  fo  extraordinary  an  agent 
>Ve  are  told  indeed,  that  a  <vinous 
ferment  induces  the  vinous,  that  a 
ferment  of  an  acetous  kind  brings 
on  the  acetous  fermentation,'  and  a 
.  putrid  one,  that  fermentation  which 
coda  in  putrefaction.    But  we  re- 


ceive no  more  information  relative 
to  the  manner  in  which  they  pro- 
duce thefe  effe&s,  than  we  do  with 
regard  to  fermentation  itfelf. 

Before  I  endeavour  to  deliver  any 
theory  of  ferments  or  of  fermenta- 
tion, I  fhall  relate  a  number  offac\§ 
which  have  led  to  a  few  thought* 
on  the  fubject)  and  having  men- 
tioned the  phenomena,  attendant  oi| 
the  procefs,  as  defcribed  by  other 
cbemifts,  fhall  then  proceed  to  offer  ' 
an  hypothefis,  with  the  greateit  dif- 
fidence —a  diffidence  Which  nothing 
could  enable  me  to  funnount,  but 
the  kind  indulgence  I  have  jfo  oftej* 
experienced  in  this  fociety.-  And 
on  no  occaiion  have  I  flood  more  itt  r 
need  of  their  candour  than  on  the 
prefent  one;  as  the  obfeurity  and 
intricacy  of  the  path,  on  which  I 
am  entering,  the  almoft  total  want 
of  guides,  and  my  inadequate  abi* 
lities  to  clear  away  the  obftacles* 
throw  light  on  the  dark  parts,  ana 
point  out  thofe  that  may  be  tra* 
verfed  with  eafe  and  certainty,  place 
me  in  a  fituation  truly  difficult.  ln> 
deed  I  was  in  hopes  to  have  ren- 
dered what  X  have  to  offer  Jefs  ita? 
perfect,  but  my  fonV  -unfortunate  ' 
accident  has  To  engaged  my  thoughts* 
and  added  fo  much  to  my  neceflary 
avocations,  that  I  have  been  ajale 
to  devote  but  a  fmali  portion  of  my 
time  to  Scientific  purfuits. 

Soon  after  Dr.  Prieftley  had  pub* 
limed  his  method  of  impregnating 
water  with  fixed  air,  1  began  to 
prepare,  artificial  Pyrmonl  wale*, 
hy  that  means  >  and  early  obferved 
that  water,  fo  impregnated,  thought 
it  at  firft  ihewed  no  fparkling  whea 
poured  into  a  glals,  yet  alter  i| 
had  been  kept  in  a  bottle,  clofely- 
corked,  for  fome  days,  exhibited, 
when  opened,  the  fparkling  ap- 
pearance of  the  true  Pymiont  wai- 
ter. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


76 


ANNUAL  REGISTER,  1786. 


ter*.  This  I  attributed,  atid  per- 
haps not  unjuftly,  to  the  gas,  which 
had  been  more  intimately  combined 
with  the  water,  and  reduced  to  a 
kind  of  latent  ftate,  recovering  its 
elafticity,  and  endeavouring  to  ef- 
cape. 

Having  one  day  made  fome  punch 
with  this  water,  and  having  about 
a  pint  of  it  remaining,  after  my 
friends  had  retired  I  put  it  into  a 
bottle,  capable  of  containing  a  quart, 
and  corked  the  bottle.  On  opening 
it,  at  the  di fiance  of  three  or  four 
days,  the  liquor,  when  poured  out, 
creamed  and  mantled,  like  the 
briikeft  bottled  cyder.  An  old  gen*, 
tleman,  to  whom  I  gave  a  half  pint 
glafs  full  of  it,  called  out  in  rap* 
tures  to  know  what  delicious  liquor 
he  had  been  drinking,  and  earneftly 
defired  that,  if  I  had  any  more  of 
the  fame,  I  would  give  him  another 
glafs.\ 

Dr.  Prieftley,  as  has  been  alrea- 
*  dy  mentioned,- had  informed  us  that 
fixed  air,  thrown  into  wine  or  malt 
liquor,  grown  vapid, ,  reftored  to 
them  their  briiknefs  and  pleafant 
tafte.  On  impregnating  fume  va- 
pid ale  with  fi*edair,  I  was  dis- 
appointed in  not  finding  the  effect 
immediately  produced.  But  after 
bottling  the  ale,  and  keeping  it 
clofely  flopped  for  four  or  five  days, 
$t  was  become  as  briik  as  ale  which, 
\n  the  common  way,  has  been  bot- 
tled feveral  months. 

In  the  year  1778,  I  impregnated 

with  fixed  air  a  quantity  of  milk 

w^ey,  which  I  had  clarified  for  the 

tn»*r™<%  of  nronqring  fame  fugar  of 

:d  it.     In  about  a 

in  one  of  the  bot- 


tles, which  had  been  fo  loofely  cork- 
ed, that  the  liquor  had  partly  coozed 
out,  was  remarkably  briik  and 
fparkling.  Another  bottle,  which 
was  not  opened  till  the  fummer  of 
1782,  contained  the  liquor  not  id 
fo  briik  a  ftate,  but  become  evidently 
vinous,  and  without  theleaft  acidity, 
perceptible  to  the  tafte. 

I  now  began  to  fufpeel  that  fixed 
ajr  is  the  efficient  caufe  of  fermen- 
tation ;  or,  in  dther  words,  that  the 
properties  of  yeaft,  as  a  ferment, 
depend  on  the  fixed  air  it  contains  5 
and  that  yeaft  is  little  elfe  than  fixed 
air,  enveloped  in  the  mucilaginous 
parts  of  the  fermenting  liquor.  I 
therefore  determined  to  attempt  the 
making  of  artificial  yeaft. 

For  this  purpofe,  I  boiled  wheat- 
flour  and  water  to  the  confiftence  of 
a  thin  jelly,  and,  putting  the  mix- 
ture into  the  middle  part  of  Nooth's 
machine,  impregnated  it  with  fixed 
air,  of  which  it  imbibed  a  consi- 
derable quantity.  The  mixture  was 
then  put;  into  a  bottle,  loofely  flop- 
ped, and  placed!  in  a  moderate 
heat. 

The  next  day  the  mixture  was  in 
a  ftate  of  fermentation,  and,  by  the 
third  day,  had  acquired  fo  much  of 
the  appearance  of  yeaft,  that  I 
added  to  it  a  proper  quantity  of 
flour,  kneaded  the  pafte,  and  after 
fuffering;  it  to  ftand,  during  five  of 
fix  hours,  baked  it,  and  the  pro- 
duct was  bread4  tolerably  well  fer- 
mented. 

I  now  determined  to  make  a  more 
fatisfa&ory  experiment.  The  wort, 
obtained  from  majt,  it  is  known, 
cannot  be  brought  into  a  ftate  of 
fermentation,  witfiput  the  aid  of  a. 


)d$  have  fince  been  devifed  of  forcing  fiich  a-*quantity  of  gas  to, 
aft;  to  raixj  with  water,  as  immediately  to  (jomrnunicate  to  it 

fcrn#nJi 


Digitized  by  VjjOOQ I 


USEFUL    PROjEdTS. 


a 


foment  5  for  which  purpofe  yeaft 
Is  always  ufed.  If,  therefore,  by 
Impregnating  wort  with  fixed  air, 
I  could  bring  on  the  vinous  fermen- 
tation, if  I  could  carry  on  this  fer- 
mentation {o  as  to  produce  ale,  and, 
from  the  ale,  procure  ardent  fpirit, 
I  imagined  that  I  fhould  be  able  to 
•announce  to  the  world  a  mode  of 
procuring  newly-fermented  liquors, 
in  moil  climates  and  in  moil  filia- 
tions. 

I  accordingly  procured  from  a 
-public-houfe  two  gallons  of  ftrong 
wort.  It  had  a  difagreeable  bitter 
*  tafte,  owing  either  to  bad  hops,  or 
to  fome  fubftitute  for  hops.  A  large 
part  of  the  liquor  wasv  impregnated, 
in  Nooth's  machine,  with  fixed  air, 
which  it  feemed  to  abforb  very  ra- 
pidly and  in  large  quantity.  When 
it  was  thus  impregnated,  it  was 
mixed  with  the  other  part,  and 
poured  into  a  large  earthen  jug, 
the  mouth  'of  which  was  flopped 
with  a  cloth,  and  placed  in  a  de- 
gree of  heat,  varying  from  70  deg.  to 
80  deg.  In  twenty-tour  hours  the  li- 
quor was  in  brilk  fermentation,  a' 
ftrong  head  of  yea  ft  began  to  col- 
lect on  its  furface  j  and,  on  thq 
third  day,  it  appeared  to  be  in  a 
ftate  fit  for  tunning.  It  was  there- 
fore put  into1  an  earthen  veffel/fnch 
as  is  ufed  in  this  country  by  the 
Common  people  as  a  fub'  itute  for 
tL  barrel,  for  containing  their  imall 
brewings  of  fermented  liquors.  Dur- 
ing the  fpace  of  near  a  week,  pre- 
vious to  the  flopping  up  of  this  vef- 
fel,  much  yeaft  was  colle&ed  on  its 
furface,  and  occasionally  taken  oft* ; 
and  by  means  of  this  yeaft,  I  fer- 
mented wheat-flour,  and  procured 
as  good  bread  as  I  could  have  ob- 
tained by  ufing  an  equal  quantity  of 
any  other  yeaft. 
-  The  veftel  was  now  flopped  up  -, 


and  in  about  a  month  tapped.-  Thift 
liquor  was  well  fermented,  had  tL 
head  or  cream  on  its  furface ;  andi 
though,  as  might  be  expected  from 
the  defcription  of  the  wort,  not  very 
pleafant,  yet  as  much  fo,  as  the  ge- 
nerality of  the  ale  brewed  at  public- 
houfes. 

A  part  of  the  ale  was  fubmitted  to 
diftillatipn ;  and,  from  it,  a  quan- 
tity of  vinous  fpirit  was  produced, 
which  is  fubmitted  to  the  examina- 
tion of  the  fociety.  But  the  vef- 
fel  being  broken  before  the  diftil- 
lation  was  finifhed,  the  quantity  it 
would  have  yielded  was  not  afcer- 
t.ained.  However,  that  which  was 
obtained,  appeared  not  to*  differ 
much  in  quantity  from  what  an? ' 
equal  portion  of  common  ale  would 
have  afforded. 

As  I  had  loft  my  notes,  and  was 
obliged  to  make  out  the  preceding 
account  from  memory,  I  defigned 
to ,  repeat  the  experiments  again  ; 
but  various  engagements  prevented 
me,  till  the  latter  end  of  A.uguft 
1784.  Of  thefe  experiments  the 
following  notes  are  taken  from  my 
journal : 

Auguft  3o>  I  procured  two  gal- 
lons of  common  ale  wort,  two  quarts 
of  which  were,  in  the  evening,  im- 
pregnated, but  not  faturated,  with 
fixed  air.  The  impregnated  liquor 
was  then  added,  to  the  other  part, 
and,  about  midnight,  placed  in  a 
large  jug,  within  thfe  air*  of  the 
kitchen  fire,  where  it  remained 
during  the  night.  In  the  morning 
no  figns  of  fermentation.  At  five 
o'clock  P.  M.  only  a  flight  mantling 
on  the  furface.  Apprehending  the 
quantity  of  gas  to  have  been  too 
fmall,  a  bottle,  with -a  perforated 
ftopper  and  valve,  containing  an 
eflerveicing  mixture  oT  chalk  and 
vitriolic   acid,   was  let  down  into 

the 


-Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


78         ANNUAL   REGlSfER,  1786. 


the  wort.  At  nine  o'clock,  the  dis- 
charge of  air,  from  the  bottle,  was 
going  on  britkly,  and  the  wort 
teemed  to  be  fermenting.  At  eleven  % 
o'clock  the  bottle  was  withdrawn, 
the  fermentation  being  commenced 
beyond  a  doubt ;  the  furface  of  the 
liquor  having  a  pretty  ftrong  head. 
Temperature  of  the  wort  80* — at 
the  outfide  of  the  vefiel  78*. 

September  ill,  feven  o'clock, 
A.  M.  the  fire  having  been  low 
during  the  night,  the  fermentation 
was  lefs  bri Ik— temperature  of  the 
wort  reduced  to  72,  and  probably 
had  been  lower  during  the  night, 
as'tht  fire  was  now  increafed.  The 
liquor  was  ftirred  up,  placed  in  a 
situation  where  the  thermometer 
pointed  to  8a",  and  the  efiervefcing 
mixture  was  again  immeried.  It 
was  withdrawn  at  noon,  and  the 
thermometer  (landing  at  92?,  the 
wort  was  removed  farther  from  the 
fire—At  four  o'clock,  P.  M.  the 
head  of  yeail  was  ftrong,  and  at 
eieven  o'clock  was  increafed. 

September  2d,  nine  o'clock, 
A.  M.  the  liquor  was  judged  to  be 
in  a  proper  itate  for  tunning.  It 
was.  accordingly  removed  into  the 
\eifel  before  deicribed,  and  carried 
into  the  cellar  at  eleven — at  noon,  a 
high  head  of  yeait  was  running  over 
the  top  of  the  vefTel — fome  of  it  was 
taken  of,  and  in  two  hours  the  head 
.was  eauallv  ftrong. 

3d,  the  fermentation 
ularly  this  day  $  and 
lad  collected  lb  much 
nake  a  loaf  with  it, 
baked,  weighed  about 
The  loaf  was  well 
od  bread,  having  no 
except  a  flight  bit- 
sding  from  the  wort 
k>  large  a  proportion 
:>ugb>  from  the  time 


in  Which  the  yeaft  had  been  collect- 
ing  from  fo  fmall  a  quantity  of* 
liquor,  its  fermenting  power  might 
have  been  expected  to  have  been 
impaired. 

September  5th,  the  liqpor  was 
again  covered  with  a  plentiful  head 
of  yeail ;  and  the  fermentation  was 
fuftered  to  proceed  to  the  12th, 
when  the  veffel  was  clofed,  in  the 
ufual  manner. 

I  intended,  in  a  few  weeks,  to 
have  committed  the  liquor  to  dif- 
ttllation  ;  but  my  thoughts  were 
unfortunately  dire&ed  to  an  objetf 
which  engaged  my  moft  anxious 
attention;  and  my  wort  was  ne- 
gleded  till  the  latter  end  of  Febru- 
ary 5  when,  on  tapping  the  veffel, 
the  liquor,  from  having  been  kept 
fo  long,  under  fuch  difadvantageous 
circumftances,  and,  perhaps,  from 
too  great  heat  in  the  fermentation, 
and  the  too  long  continuance  of  it, 
had  paiTed  from  the  vinous  to  the 
acetous  flate,  and  was  become  ex- 
cellent allegar. 

As  I  had  obtained  a  vinous  fpirit 
from  the  former  parcel  of  wort,  I 
was  not  forry  for  this  event,  as  it 
was  going  a  ftep  farther  than  I  ex- 
pected. For  I  had  now  obtained 
yeaft,  bread,  ale,  ardent  fpirit,  and 
acetous  acid.  A  fpecimen  of  the  laft 
is  now  produced  to  the  fociety. 

I  flatter  myfelf  that  thefe  expe- 
riments may  be  of  extenfive  utility, 
and  contribute  to  the  accommoda- 
tion, the  pleafure,  and  the  health  of 
men,  in  various  fituations,  who 
have  hitherto,  in  a  great  degree, 
been  precluded  from  the  ufe  of  fer- 
mented liquors ;  and  be  the  means 
of  furnifhing  important  articles  Qi 
diet,  and  of  medicine.  Not  only 
at  fea,  but  in  many  fituations  m 
tiie  country,  and  at  particular  ft** 
ions,  yeaft  is  not  to  be  procured'. 

By 


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79 


By  theiaearisl  have  fuggefted,  in 
thefe  experiments,  frefh  bread  and 
riewly  fermented  malt  <Jr  faccharine 
liquors  may  at  anf  time  be  pro- 
cured ;  and  of  how  much  import- 
ance -this  may  be,  and  how  gr^eat  the 
improvement  to  the  malt  deco&ions 
recommended  by  the  late  Dr.  Mac- 
bride,  I  fhalr  not'  at  prefent  3ay  to 
expatiate  on  ;  as  the  fubjecl  may  be 
too  much  connected  with  the  practi- 
cal part  of  phyfic,  to  come  within 
the  limitations  drawn  by  the  fociety. 
But,  itt  domeftic  ceconomy,  its  ufes 
are  very  obvious  ;  and  perhaps  none 

"more  to  than  the  ready  mode  which 
the  preceding  experiments  teach, 
of  reviving  fermentation  when  too 
languid— -the  finking  of  a  bottle, 
fiich  as  1  have  described  in  my  effay 
•on  the  preservation  of  water  at  lea, 
&c*  with  an  effervefcing  mixture 
of  chalk  and  vitriolic  acid,  ap- 
pearing to  be  fully  adequate  to 
the  purpofe,  and  wowld,  I  believe, 
be  fuflicient  for  impregnating  the 
wort,  without  any  other  contri- 
vance.' This  difeovery  therefore 
may,  perhaps,  be  of  no  fmall 
utility  in  public  breweries,  and  I 
would  recommend  it  to  the  atten- 
tion of  perfons  concerned  in  the 
brewing  trade. 

Let  us  now  proceed  to  defcribe 
ttoe  circumftances  necefiary  to,  and 
the  phenomena  attending  fermen- 
tation, "as  defcribed  by  chemical 
writers ;  and  then  endeavour  to 
form  fome  theory  which  may  ac- 
count for  them.  -    -.     - 

Sugar,  the  juices   of  ripe  fruit, 

•  md  Mate,-  are  all  more  or  lefs  dif- 
pofedto  run  into  fermentation.  But 
j before  this  *ca*  take  place,     it   is 

^ecef&ry  they  *fr.oold  be  diluted 
jrith  water,  fo  as.  to  bring  them  to 


a  liquid  ftate.  A  due  degree  of 
heat  is  alfo  requifitc,  as  the  fermen- 
tation fuCceeds  bed  when  the  tern* 
perature  varies  from  70  to  80  de- 
grees, * 

When  the,  fermentation  takes 
plate,  a  briik  inteftiae  motion  is 
obfervable  m  the  liquor  5  it  be- 
comes turbid,  fome  faeculae  fubfide, 
while,  a  frothy  fcuiri  arifes  to  the 
furface.  A  hilfing  noife  is  obferved, 
arid  a  quantity  of  gas  is  difcharged, 
which  has  been  proved  to  be  fixed 
air.  The  liquor  acquires  a  vinous 
fmell  and  tatte  5  and,  from  being 
heavier,  becomes  fpecijically  lighter 
than  water.  During  the  progrefs 
pf  the  procefs,  the  temperature  of 
the  liquor  is  Jiigher  than  that  of  the 
furrounding  atmofphere,  with  which 
it  is  neceflary  that  a  communication 
be  preferved.  After  fome  day*, 
thefe  appearances  begin  to  decline.  * 
If  the  procefs  be  rightly  condu&ed, 
and  flopped  at  a  proper  period,  a  li- 
quor, capable  of  yielding  vinous  or 
ardent  fpirit,  is  the  refult.  If  the 
procefs  .has  been  too  flow,  and  the- 
degree  of  heat  infufficient,  the  li- 
quor will  be  flat  and  fpiritlefs ;  but 
if  thefe  have  been  too  rap\d  and  ex- 
ceffive>  it  will  pafs  into  the  acetous 
fermentation,  to  which  indeed  it  is 
continually  tending.  But  the  more 
ardent  fpirit  is  generated,,  the  let's 
fpeedy  will  be  the  change  to  the 
acetous  Hate. 

During  the'prOgrefs  of  the  ace- 
tous fermentation,  which  will  even 
proceed .  in  clofely  ftoppe.i  veflels, 
no  feparation  a€  air  is  obfervable, 
nor  any  ftriking  phenomena.  The 
liquor  gradually  lofes  its  vinous 
tafte,  and  becomes  four,  and  a  grofs 
fediment  falls  to  the  bottom  3  while  . 
a  quantity  of,  viicid  matter  flill  re- 


*  London,  tjlu 


mains. 


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*0         AKttlJAL   RfiGtSTElfc,    178& 


mains,  enveloping  the  acid,  which 
may  be  fepatated  from  much  of  the 
imparity  by  cbftillation. 

The  progrefs  of  thefe  procefles 
Is  accelerated  by  the  addition  of 
ferments,  to  the  action  of  which  it 
has  been  fuppofed  neceflary,  that 
they  fhould  have  pafled  through  the 
ftate  of  fermentation  into  which  they 
are  intended  to  bring  the  liquor 
to  which  they  are  added ;  and  that 
it  was  not  pollible  to  bring  the  fari- 
naceous infufions  into  the  vinous 
fermentation  without  the  aid  of 
matter  already  in  that  Hate.  This 
the  preceding  experiments  have  pro- 
ved, to  be  an  ill-founded  notion, 
as  it  appears  that  fixed  air,  ob- 
tained from  calcareous  earth  by 
means  of  acids,  produces  the  effect, 
as  perfectly  as  when  the  ferment 
has  been  taken  from  a  fermenting 
liquor. 

In  fermentation,  it  is  faid,  new  ar- 
rangements take  place  in  the  parti- 
cles of  the  liquor,  and  the  proper- 
ties of  the  fubftance  become  different 
from  what  it  before  pofiefled.  But 
what  thefe  arrangements  are,  or  how 
thefe  properties  are  changed,  we  are 
not  told.  Dr.  Black,  I  am  informed, 
declares  he  is  unacquainted  with  any 
latisfactory  theory. 

But  perhaps  fads,  efpeclally  fome 
latt  chemical  difcoveries,  may  throw 
light  on  the  matter,  and  enable  us  to 
advance  fome  conjectures  that  may 
Dead,  at  lead,  to  lay  the  foundation  of 
a  theory. 

1.  Sugar  is  an  eflential  fait,  con- 
taining much  oily,  vifcid  matter. 
During  its  combuflion  it  repeatedly 
explodes ;  a  proof  that  it  contains 
not  only  ranch  inflammable  matter, 
but  alfo  a  quantity  of  air.     Malt  is 


faccharine,  united  to  much  ri&td 
mucilaginous  matter. 
.  2.  If  nitrous  acid  be  added  to 
fugar;  the  inflammable  principle  of 
the  latter  i?  feized  by  the  acid ;  the 
whole,  or  at  leafi  one  of  the  confti- 
tuent  parts  of  which,  is  thereby  con- 
verted into  nitrous  gas,  and  flies  off 
in  that  form.  By  repeated  afFufions 
of  this  acid*  more  gas  is  formed, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  fugar  is 
changed  into  cryftals,  having  the 
properties  of  an  acid,  Jut  generis, 
and  which  has  been  denomi&atedj  { 
by  Bergman,  faccharine  acid*; 

3.  Saccharine  acid  is  refolvablrf 
by  heat  into  fome  phlegm,  a 
large  quantity  of  inflammable  and 
fixed  air  (both  of  which  con- 
tain latent  heat)  and  into  a  browniih 
refiduum,  amounting  to  TV  °f  the 
weight  of  the  acid.  Fixed  air 
is  fuppofed  to  contift  of  pure  air 
united  to  phlogillon ;  and  inflam- 
mable air,  to  be  almoft  pure  phld- 
giflon. 

4.  Water  is  found  to  be  form- 
ed by  the  union  of  pure  air,  and 
inflammable  gas,  deprived  of  their 
latent  heat;  for,  if  thefe  two  elaf- 
tic  fluids  be  exploded  together,  in 
a  clofe  veflel,  over  mercury,  the 
whole  is  converted  into  water  of  the 
fame  weight  as  that  of  the  air  and 
gas  jointly.  In  the  procefs  much 
heat  is  evolved.  Again,  if  water* 
in  the  form  of  fleam,  be  forced  to 
pafs  thrbugh  a  tube,  containing 
iron  fhavings,  flrongly  heated,  the 
water,  according  to  Meffirs.  Watt 
and  Lavoifier,  is  decompofed ;  the 
phlogiflon  partes  off,  united  with 
heat,  in  the  form  of  inflammable  gas* 
while  the  humour,  or  dephlogkfticat- 
ed  water,  unites  to  the  calx  of  the 


Bergmaoi  OpufcuU  Chcmica,  Vol.  I*  Art.  dt  Acids  Saschari* 


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81 


metal,  from  which  it  may  be  again 
obtained,  in  the  form  of  pure  air,  or 
of  aerial  acid,  according  to  the  de- 
gree in  which  the  calx  has  been 
dephlogifticated.  It  has  been  air 
ready  obferved,  that  faccharine  mat- 
ter cannot  be  brought  to  ferment 
without  water. 

5.  A  vinous  liquor,  on  diftillation, 
yields  an  ardent  fpirit. 

6.  Spirit  of  wine  has  had  the 
whole  of  its  inflammable  part  di£ 
fipated  by  combuftion ;  after  which, 
Mr.  Lavoifier  found  the  watery  part 
increafed  in  weight,  from  fixteen  to 
eighteen  ounces,  by  the  abforption 
of  the  air,  decompofed  by  the  com- 
buflion. 

7.  The  refiduum,  after  the,  diftil- 
lation of  ardent  fpirit  from  fer- 
mented liquors,  is  acid. 

8.  Mr.  Lavoifier  has  fuppofedpure 
air  to  be  the  acidifying  principle  of 
all  the  acids  >  and  that  their  differ- 
ence from  each  other  confifts  in  the 
bafts'  united  to  this  pure  air. 

As  our  experiments  were  made 
with  an  infufion  of  malt,  and  with 
fixed  air,  employed  as  a  ferment/  let 
us  endeavour  to  account  for  the  fe- 
veral  phenomena  and  refults  of  fer- 
mentation, as  appearing  in  thefe  ex-  * 
periments. 

The  wort  being  impregnated  with 
fixed  air,  and  placed  in  fuch  a  filia- 
tion as  to  bring  it  to  the  degree  of 
heat,  at  which  wort  is  commonly 
mixed  with  yeaft,  the  gas  for  fome 
time  remains  in  a  latent  or  quiefcent 
ftate;  but,  from  its  tendency  to 
recover  its  elaftic  form,  aided  by 
heat,  it  prefently  begins  to  burft 
from  the  bonds  in  which  it  was  con- 
fined. *  By  this  effort  the  mucilagi- 
nous parts  of  the  infufion  are  at- 
tenuated 'y  the  faccharine  matter  is 
developed;  and,  the  fame  caufe 
continuing  to  act,  the  conftituent 

Vol.  XXVIII. 


parts  of  the  matter  are  feparated^ 
and  the  particles  of  the  component 
principles  being  by  this  x  means' 
placed  beyond  the  fphere  of  their 
mutual  attraction,  begin  to  repel, 
each  other.  A  large  quantity  of 
phlogifton  is  difchtfrged,  together 
with  fome  pure  air.  The  greateft 
part  of  the .  inflammable  principle 
enters  into  a  new  combination, 
joining  the  phlogiftic  part  of  the 
water,  and,  in  proportion,  feparating 
from  it  *  the  pure  air,  while  an- 
other, but  much  fmaller  portion, 
uniting  in  its  nafcent  ftate  with 
this  pureair,  forms  fixed  air;  which, 
in  its  attempt  to  efcape,  carries  up 
with  it  much  of  its  vifcid  confine- 
ment. In  the  converfion  of  the  pure 
into  fixed  air,  a  considerable  portion 
of  heat  is  rendered  fenfible.  Anil 
this  heat  contributes  to  the  farther 
decompofition  of  the  faccharine 
fubftance.  The  vifcid  matter  col- 
lecting on  the  furface,  prevents  the 
efcape  of  too  much  of  the  gas,  and 
promotes  its  re-abforption,  that 
thereby  the  brilk  and  agreeable*  • 
tafte  of  the  liquor  may  be  formed ; 
while  the  inflammable  principle,  . 
accumulating  and  becoming  con- 
denfed  in  it,  forms  the  ardent 
fpirit 

Thu*'  a  decompofition  of  the 
water  takes  place,  fome  what  fimilar 
to  what  Mr.  Watt  has  fuppofed  in 
the  production  of  pure  .air  from 
nitre.  The  nitrous  acid,  feizing 
on  the  phlogifton  of  the  water,  de- 
phlogifticates  the  humof  or  other 
part  of  the  water,  which,  combining 
with  the  matter  of  heat,  pailes  off  in 
the  form  of  pure  air; 

The  veffel  being  flopped,  fome 
of  thex  faccharine  matter  being  not 
decompofed,  the  liquor  Will  con- 
tinue to  have  a  fweetiih  tafte.  Butj 
the  fermentation  ftill  going  on,  in 

G  a  more 


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ANNUAL   REGISTER,   178& 


82 


a  more  gradual  manner,  the  liquor 
will  become  lefs  tweet,  arid,  pro- 
portionably,  more  impregnated  with 

•  ardent  fpirit  3  and  the  faeculae  fub- 
fiding  in  the  form  of  lees,  it  will  be 
now  fully  fermented,  mellow,  and 
pellucid*. 

But  if  the  {accharine  matter  be 
too  much  diluted,  or  the  veflel  be 
placed  in  a  warm  fituation,  the  li- 
quor will  then  pafs  frpm  the  vinous 
to  the  acetous  fermentation. 

In  the  formation  of  the  (accha- 
rine acid,  by  means  of  nitrous  acid, 

"  the  la  ft  is  fuppofed,  by  carrying  oft 
the  phlogifton  of  the  fugar,  to  de- 
velope  the  faccharine  acid.  Or, 
'according  to  Mr.  Lavoifier's  hypo- 
thefts,  one  of  the  cohftituent  parts 
©f  the  nitrous  acid  performs  this 
office,  while  the  other,  or  pure  air, 
uniting  to  the  peculiar  bafis,  con- 
tained in  the  fugar,  forms  faccharine 
acid. 

So  in  the  acetous  fermentation,  if 
it  happen  that  the  phlogifton  is  not 
in  fufficient  quantity,  or  the  force 
with  which  it  is  combined  in  the  li- 
quor he  weakened,  by  a  long  ap- 
application  of  heat  or  other  caufes,  it 
will  begin  to  feparate  from  the 
Other  conftituent  parts  of  the  liquor. 
The  ardent  fpirit,  thus  decompofed, 
difappears  gradually,  the  humor  or 
dephlogifticated  water,  or,  in  other 
words,  the  bafis  of  pure  air,  predo- 
minates; andthis,  combining  with ~ 
the  faccharine  bafis,  but  ftill  retain- 
ing fome  portion  of  phlogifton,  forms 

'the  acetous  acid. 


Thus  the  acetotfs  fermentation 
acts  in  a  manner,  in  fome  refpects, 
analogous  to  the  action  of  nitrous 
acid  on  fugar.  In  the  latter  cafe, 
the  phlogifton  is  feparated  more  ra- 
pidly j  and  the  acid,  refulting  from 
the  prbcefs,  is  that  called  faccharine 
acid.  In,  the  former,  the  changes 
are  more  flotorly  produced  >  the  phlo- 
gifton flies  off  more  gradually  j  and 
from  a  different  modification,  '  in 
confequence  of  thefe  varieties,  the 
product  is  not  faccharine  acid,  but 
vinegar.  And  perhaps  it  may  ferve 
to  give  fome  appearance  of  proba- 
bility to  the  above  theory,  to  recoi- 
led, that  the  refiduum  of  fermented 
liquors',  after  the  feparation  of  the 
ardent  fpirit,  which  appears,  to  be 
water  fuperfaturated  with  phlogifton, 
is  ac  id,  i 

I  have  avoided  carrying  thefe  re- 
flexions to  the  phenomena  which 
appear  in  the  putrid  fermentation, 
as  not  fo  immediately  connected 
with  faccharine  fubftances;  and 
from  a  conviction  that  I  have  already 
engrofied  /too  much  of  the  fociety's 
time. — If  I  have  contributed  any 
thing  to  their  entertainment,  or 
that  may  tend  to  enlarge  the  bounds 
of  fcience,  I  ihall  efteem  myfelf 
happy  ^  and,  more  fo,  if  what  has 
been  advanced  may  prove  ufefiil 
and  advantageous  to  my  fellow- 
creatures. — Sensible  that  one  fuch 
fact  is  of  more  real  worth  than  the 
moft  ingenious  and  well-wrought 
hypothciis. 


*  In  the  fermentation  of  wine,  a  fubftance  is  depofited  at  the  fides  and  bottom  of 
the, calk,  called  tartar;  which  is  lately  difcovered  to  confift  of  pure  vegetable  alkali, 
united  to  a  uiperaoundant  quantity  pf  a  peculiar  acid.  But -as  this  is  not  produced 
by  malt  liquors,  it  has  not  been  aoticcd  in  the  effay.. 


J  Syjtem 


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USEFUL    PROJECTS. 


H 


J  Syftem  of  Kentifh  Agriculture, 
tranfmitted  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hill, 
of  Eaft  Mailing,  nedr  Maidftone, 
Kent ;  being  his  anfwers  to  the 
queries  propofed to  him  by  the  Bath 
Jigriculture  SotietJ%  Ext  faffed  from 
*vo/.  iii.  of  their  Letters  and  Pa- 
pers. . 

Gentlemen, 

IN  reply  to  the  queries  fent  to  me 
by  your  fecretary,  I  fend  you 
the  following  anfwers.    Permit  me 
to  repeat  my  beft  wiibes  for  the 
profperity  of  your  fociety,  and  jthe 
fuccefs  of  their  very  laudable  endea- 
vours to  promote  the  advancement 
of  agriculture  j  and  to  affure'you 
that  I  am;  with  great  fincerity, 
Your  moft  obedient  fervant, 
Daniel  Hill. 
Eaft  Mailing,  July  16,  1785, 

Query  ift.  What  are  the  kinds  of 
foil  from  which  you  generally  ob- 
tain the  beft  crops  of  wheat,  barley, 
peafe,  oats,  beans,  vetches,  turnips, 
carrots,  and  cabbages  ;  and  what 
are  the  ufual  quantities' of  feed  fown, 
and  the  average  produce  per  ftatute 
acre,  Winchefter  meafure  Y 

Anfwer.  Our  beft  crops  are  ge- 
nerally obtained  from  hazel  loams ; 
and  if  they  are  fomewhat  ftiff  and 
inclining  to  clay,  the  better.  On 
fuch  lands,  the  ufe  of  heavy  large 
harrows  and  rollers  in  the  fpring, 
to  break  and  pulverize  the  foil,  can- 
not be  too  much  recommended. 

On  fuch  lands  fo  pulverized,  we 
frequently  get  of  wheat  from  four 
to  five  quarters,  beans  from  five  to 
feven  quarters,  barley  and  oats  fix, 
and  often  feven  quarters  per  acre. 


The  quantity  of  feed  generally 
fown  per  acre,  is,  of  beans,  peafe, 
wheat*,  and  barley,  three  bufh- 
elsj  Df  oats,  from1  four  to  five 
bufhels. 

Q.  zd.  What  is  the  ufual  courfe 
of  crops  adopted  by  your  beft  far-* 
mers  on  the  different  foils  ? 

A.  Our  beft  lands  never  lie  fal* 
low  5  and  the  order  of  our  crops  is,  * 

1.  Wheat 

a.  Barley  or  oats. 

3.  Peafe  or  beans; — the  latter 
always  in  rows,  hand-hoed  twice 
with  a  two  inch  hoe  near  and  be- 
tween the  beans  5  horfe-hoed  twice, 
and  laftly  earthed  with  a  hprfe-hoe. 
■  After  tye  beans  are  off,  we  plough 
fhallow  with  a  broad  fhare,  and 
harrow  up,  and  burn  the  weeds  if 
ariy.  remain,  thus  preparing^  jl  good 
tilth  for  wheat.  * 

On  our  ordinary,  fandy,  or  ftone 
fhattery  [ftone  .braih]  land,  dur 
courfe  of  crops  is  different. 

1..  Wheat. 

Aftef  that  (before  Michaelmas) 
fow  winter  vetches  or  rye,  and  eat 
them  off  with  fheep  and  bullocks  in 
the  fpring. 

Then  plough  for  turnips  three  or 
four  times,  each  time  harrowing  off 
and  burninjg  the  weeds  \  then  lay 
on  forty  cart-loads  of  dung  per  acre. 
We  always  carefully  hand-hoe,  the 
turnips,  as  the  charge  is  ,amply  re- 
paid by  the  crop.  Sometimes,  in  a 
kindly  feafon,  we  get  a  good  crop 
of  turnips  after  early  peare. 

Oats  and  barley  will  produce 
(efpecially  oats)  from,  five  to  feven 
quarters  per  acre,  after  a  good  tur- 
nip feafon,  and  the  crop  well  fed 
off  with  fheep,  efpecially  if  good 


*  Is  it  not  furprifing,  that  in  a  county  where  agriculture  is  arrived  to  fuch  per- 
fection, farmers  mould  fow  three  bufhels  of  wheat  per  acre  ?  Certainly  two  bufhels, 
•reji  in  the  broad  caA  way,  would  be  fully  fufficient. 

G  %  kay 


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«4 


ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


hay  and  oil-cake  be  given  them .  at 
the  fame  time. 

With  barley  and  oats  we  fow  clo- 
ver j  next  year  wheat,  and  laftly 
turnips. 

*  <j\  3</i  What  manure  now  gene- 
rally in  ufe%  do  you  find  moft  fer- 
viceable,  on  the  following  foils  re- 
fpe&ively,  viz.  ftiff  clays,  light, 
fand,  gravelly,  moory,  cold  and  wet, 
or  what  is  called  (lone  brafh  l^nd  ? 
•—In  what  quantities  are  the  feveral 
manures  laid  on  per  acrce  ;  at  what 
feafon  5  and  how  long  will  each  laft 
without  renewal  ? 

A.  On  (tiff  clays  or  fand,  or  gra- 
velly cold  wet  land,  lay  marie  or 
chalk  early  in  the  winter,  at  the 
rate  of  eighty  cavtrloads  per  acre, 
which  will  laft  twenty  years  $  be- 
jfide  this,  dung  and  lime  is  fome- 
times  added.     „  * 

^.  4/^.  Have  you  difcovered  any 
new  manure  more  efficacious  than 
thofe  generally  ufed,  and  which  may 
eafily  be  obtained  in  large  quanti- 
ties ?  If  fo,  what  is  it,  when  and 
how  applied  ? 

A.  Dung  made  by  fat  bullocks 

fed  on  hay  and  oil-cakes,  and  of 

fame  on  turnip 

will  eat  twenty 

;   per  day,    but 

thrive  well  with 

j  the  bed  top- 
t  pa f hires  which 
ined  ? 

coal-afhes,  with 
ng  (pi tad  thin, 
laterials  do  you 
aftiug  for  cover- 
tches  ? 


A:  Ragged  ftones  or  brickbats,  or 
rather  flat  ftones,  two  fet  on  edge 
eight*  or  ten  inches  afunder,  and  a 
third  over  5  and  where  thefe  cannot 
be  had,  black-thorn  or  other  buihes. 
Some  perfons  ufe  turf  with  the  grafs 
fide  downwards,  leaving  a  hollow 
below  for  the  water. 

Q.  7/£;  What  are  the  kinds  of 
wood  which  you .  have  found  from 
experience  to  thrivd  beft  on  bleak 
barren  foils,  cold  fwampy  bogs,  and 
black  mopry  ground  ? 

A.  Scotch  firs  on  bleak  barren 
foils>  efpeciallv  in  a  northern  af- 
fpecl:.  On  cold  fwampy  bogs,  the 
Dutch  willow  will  do  great  tilings ; 
but  afli  will  fucceed  better,  and  is 
far  more  ufeful  and  profitable.    , 

Q.  8/£.  What  are  your  methods 
of  railing  lucern,  faintfoin,  and  bur- 
net  ;  on  what  lands  do  you  find  them 
to  anfwer  beft  3  and  what  the  ave- 
rage produced 

A.  Lucern  fucceeds  beft  in  drills 
one  ffoot  afunder*,  and  kept  clean 
by  a  fmall  plough  drawn  by  one 
horfe.  Saintfoin  flourifhes  moft  on 
chalky,  and  dry  (tone  fhattery  land, 
on  which  it  will  produce  two  tons 
per  acre  on  an  average, t  for  fourteen 
or  fifteen  years.  Bumet  is  in  dif- 
grace  with  us,  and  generally  laid 
afide  as  ufelefs. 

i£.  gth.  How  is  your  turnip  huf- 
bandry  conducted  5   and  what  is  the  " 
beft  method  of  preventing  or  flop- 
ping the  ravages  of  the  fly  on  the 
young  plants  ? 

A.  The  firft  part  of  this  query  is 
anfwered-in  the  fecolid.  To  pre- 
vent the  ravages  of  the.  fly,  fomc 
good  is  fometimes  done  by  funning  . 


iiftance  of  at  leaft  eighteen  inches  would  be  better;  andocca 
:  plants  by  the  horfe  going  between  the  rpw*.     From  various  1 
afcei  tain   the  beft  diftance  between  the  rows  of  Jucern,  the 
s  have  been  horn  rows  two  feet  apart. 

•     •  a  light 


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85 


a  light  roller  over  them  with  a 
bundle  of  black-thorn  faftened  be- 
hind it. 

$>.  loth.  Do  you  prefer  the  drill 
to  the  broad-caft  method  of  fowing 
grain ;  in  what  inftances,  and  on 
■what  foils  ? 

A.  When  lands  are  foul  and 
weedy,  the  drill  is  certainly  pre- 
ferable to  the  broad-cajftj  as  by 
that  means,  the  ho/fe-hoe  may  be 
nfed. 

i£.  \ith.  What  is  the  comparative, 
advantage  of  ufing  oxen  inftead  of 
horfes  in  husbandry  ? 

A.  Where  a  farm  confifts  of  ara- 
ble land  and  good  pa  (lure,  the  ufe 
of  oxen  is  deemed  preferable  to  that 
of  horfes,  where  men  can  be  pro- 
cured to  drive  them. 

3>.  lith.  Omitted. 

^J.  i$th.  What  new  improvements 
have  you  made,  or  adopted  in  im- 
plements of  husbandry  ? 

A.  Our  improvements  in  imple-' 
ments  of  htilbandry  have  of  late 
years  been  great  and  various,  par- 
ticularly in  drill  ploughs,  which  by 
dropping  the  feetl  regularly,  and 
depofi ting  it  at  a  proper  depth,  fave 
a,  great  deal  of  grain:  Of  carts  we 
have  a  great  variety,  fome  for  dung, 
made  ftrong  with  two  wheels  for 
two  hordes,  and  three  wheels  for 
one  horfe  j  and  others  of  lighter 
kinds. 

I  fubmrtted  your  queries  to  a  very 
fkilful  farmer,  from  whom  I  received 
the  following  anfwers  for  land  of  a 
middling  kind  : 

To  thefirfi  query. — We  have  moft 
wheat,  beans,  and  vetches,  if  in  pro^ 
per  tilth,  from  ftiff  land.    The  moft 


barley,  peafe,  and  oats,  from  a  lighter 
foil.  Wheat  on  an  average  twenty- 
eight  bufhels  per  acre,  We  fow 
three  bufh els. 

,  One  fack  of  barley  fown  per  acre 
prpduces  five  quarters  after  turnips. 
Five  bufhels  of  peafe  per  acre,  pro- 
duce from  three  to  four  quarters.— 
Four  bufhels  of  beans,  and  five 
bufhels  of  oats  per  acre,  produce 
from  five  to  fix  quarters. 
,  Vetches,  &c.  fed  off,  make  a  good 
wheat  feafon.  4       \ 

2d  query. -^A  clean  fallow,  and 
fowed  with  clover  \  after  cjover, 
whqat  or  beans  the  eniuing  fpring 
on  one  earth.  Turnips  on  four 
ploughings  and  dunged ;  hand-hoe- 
ing twice.  Then  barley  and  clover  $ 
next  wheat,  '  .  , 

3d  query. — Qur  beft  manure  i& 
dung  frorn^  bea"fts  fatted  with  oil- 
cakes, and  fit  for  all  foils.  We  lay 
on  fixty  cart-loads  per  acre,  (each 
cart  holding  thirty  bufhels  of  coal) 
which  for  turnips  or  wheat,  will  laft 
fix  years1. 

$th  query. — Wood-afhes  are  th* 
belt,  and  will  kill  'nifties. 

6th  query.  —  Green  alder  poles, 
fiich  as  we  ufe  for  hops,  fixteen  or 
eighteen  feet  long,  two  at  the  bot- 
tom and  one  at  top;  or  green* black- 
thorn covered  with  heath,  or  Joofe 
ftones  will  do.  ' 

jth  and  S/b  queries, — The  fame  an- 
fwer  as  from  Mr.  Hill. 

yh  query. — Four  ploughings,  fix- 
ty cart-loads  of  dung,  /and  hoc 
twice. 

10th  query. — Same  anfwer  as  from 
Mr.  Hill. 

izth  query. — Kill  your  fhpep  a* 
foon  as  the  rot  appears. 


O3 


Culture* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ts 


ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


Culture t  expences,  and  product  of fix  acres  of  Potatoes,  being  a  fair  part  of 
'  near,  feventy  acres,  raijed  by  John  Billingfley,    Efq.  of  and  for  <whicb  the 
premium  nuas  granted  him  by  the  Bath  Society,   in  the  year  1784.    From  the 
'    fame. 


Fxpenees. 

PLOWING  an  oat- 
ftubble  in  October 
1783,  at  4s.  per  acre 

Crofs  -  ploughing,  in 
March  1784  — 

Harrowing,  2s.  per  acre 

180  cart-loads  of  com- 
poft  manure,  3I.  per 
acre  —         — 

42  facks  of  feed  potatoes 
(each  fack  weighing 
2401b.)  of  the  white 
fort  .        —  — 

Cutting  the  fets,  6d.  per 
fack         —         — 

Setting  on  ridges  8  feet 

wide    (leaving  an  in- 

-  terval  of  2  feet  for  an 

alley)    6d.   for  every 

20  yards  — 

Hoeing,  at  js.  per  acre 

pigging  up  the  two  feet 
interval,  and  throwing 
the  earth  on  the  plants, 
,at  1  os.  per  acre 

Digging  up  the  crop,  at 

. ,  8d.  for  every  twenty 
yards  in  length,  the 
breadth  being  8  feet 

Labour  and  expcnce  of 
fecuring  in  pits,  wear 
and  tear  of  baikets, 
#raw,  reed,  fpikes^  &c. 
1  os.  per  acre 

Bent  — 

Tithe  — 


Profit  — 


£-  W. 


1    4    o 


I 

4 

0 

0 

12 

0 

18 

0 

0 

10 

10 

0 

J 

1 

0 

10    12      O 
I    IO      O 


3      0      0 


*4    6    O 


Produce.  £m 

600  lacks  of  beft  pota- 
toes, at  4s.  —   -  120 
120  facks  middle  fize^, 

3s,  6d.       — '        -r-       21 
50  of  fmall,  2s.        —       5 

N.  B.  Each  fack  2401b.     ' 

Some  perfohs  may  ob- 
ject to  the  above 
price,  as  being  too 
high ;  but  I  can  afr 
fure  them,  that  they 
are  worth  more  as  a 
foo4  for  hogs;  be- 
fide,  I  have  ibid  po- 
tatoes within  tfce  laft 
two  years  at  12s.  per 

.  feck,  but  I  never  be- 
fore £new  them  at  fo 
Iowa  price  as  the 
prefent.     ■ 

At  6  s.  per  feck,  the 
profit  would  be  more 
than  24 1.  per  acre, 
and  at  8s.  per  fack, 
36I. 


— 

3 

0 

0 

— 

6 

0 

0 

— 

1 

10 

0 

72 

9 

.0 

■^ 

73 

11. 

0 

£ .  146    o    o 


o    o 


o    o 
o     o 


£.  146    o    o 
Gentlemen, 


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USEFUL    PROJECTS. 


87 


Gentlemen, 

It  may  be  proper  to  remark,  that 
the  field  on  which  .the  above  experi- 
ment was  made,  was  an  oat  ftubble 
in  the  autumn  of  1783.  In  Oc- 
tober it  was  ploughed,  and  left  in 
a  rough  ftate  during  the  winter. 
In  April  it  was  crois-ploughed  and 
harrowed. 

On  the  8th  of  May  I  began  plant- 
ing, by  marking  but  the  field  into 
beds  or  ridges  eight  feet  wide,  leav- 
ing a  fpace  of  two  feet  wide  for  an 
alley  between  every  twa  ridges. 
The  manure  (a  compoft  of  liable 
dung,  virgin  earth,  and  fcrapings  of 
a  turnpike  rode)  was  then  brought 
on  the  land,  and  depofited  in  fmall 
heaps,  on  the  centre  of  each  ridge, 
in  the  proportion  of  .about  thirty 
cart-loads  to  each  acre.  A  trench 
was  then  opened  with  a  Kpade, 
breadth  way  of  the.  ridge,  about  four 
inches  deep ;  in  this  trench  the  po~ 
tatoe  fets  were  placed,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  nine  inches  from  each  other; 
the  dung  was,  then  fpread  in  a  trench 
on  the  fets,  and  a  fpace  or  plit  of 
fourteen  inches  in  breadth,  dug  in 
upon  them. 

When  the  plants  were  about  fix 
inches  high,  they  were  carefully 
hoed,  and  foon  after  the  two-feet 
intervals  between  the  ridges  were 
dug, and  the  contents  thrown  around 
the  young  plants.  This  refrelhment, 
added  to  the  ample  manuring  pre- 
viouily  beftowed,  produced  fuch  a 
luxuriance  and  rapidity  of  growth, 
that  no  weed  could  fhew  its  head. 
I  need  not  add,  that  the  land  is  now 
in  a  ftate  of  the  higheft  fertility, 
perfectly  clean,  and  in  mgft  excel- 
lent preparation  either  for  wheat  or 
fpring  corn. 

It  may  be  alfo  remarked,  that  in 
this  mode  of  planting,  a  very  fmall 
jpace  of  ground  is  left  unoccupied^- 


and  the  crop  more  abundant,  than 
any  I  ever  before  experienced. 

If  this  experiment  be  thought 
worthy  of  imitation,  and  the  culture 
of  this  excellent  root  be  thereby  in 
any  degree  extended,  it  will  afford 
great  fatisfa&ion  to  the  fociety'swell- 
wifher, 

And  moft  obedient  fervant, 

J.  BlLUNGSLEY. 

AjhwichGrove;  Nov.  j,  1784. 

P.  S.  I  did  not  think  it  neceflary 
to  fend  particulars  of  mywhole  pota- 
toe  crop,  as  it  would  be  in  a  great 
meafure  d  recapitulation  of  the  fore- 
going account. 


An  Account  of  the  Origin,  Progrefs, 
and  Regulations,  with  a  Defer iption 
of  the  neiv-eftablijbed  Bridewell,  or 
Penitentiary  Houfe,  at  Wymond- 
ham,  in  Norfolk.  BySir  Thomas 
Beevor,  Bart\.  addreffed  to  the  Secre-. 
tary  of>  the  Bath  Society  5  extracted 
fnm  the  fame  Work. 

Sir, 

ONE  avocation  in  which  I  have 
lately  been  engaged,  I  will 
relate  to  you.  Having  read  Mr. 
Howard's  book  defcribing  the  ftate 
and  condition  of  our^  prifons,  it 
naturally  led  my  thoughts  to  that 
fubjed:.  The  idea  that  as  many 
prijoners  died  yearly  /$  England  by  the 
gabl  difiemperi  as  by  all  the  execu- 
tions put  together ;  and  the  accounts 
of  the  diffolutenefs  and  profligacy, 
which  by  the  intermixture  of  them 
were  learnt  and  pra&ifed  in  thofe 
places  of  confinement ;  determined 
me  to  attempt,  at  leaft,  a  refor- 
mation of  thofe  crying  evils  in  thin 
county. 

Happily.my  wifhes  met  the  ideas 
of  the  other  gentlemen  acting  in 

G  4  tb* 


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88 


ANNUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 


the  commiffion  of  the  peace  here ; 
and  to  their  great  honour,  by  their 
unanimous  concurrence  and  aflift- 
ahce,  I  have  been,  able  to  get  erect- 
ed'a  new  bridewell  and  penitentiary 
houfe  at  Wymondham,  built  upon 
fuch  a^plan  as  enables  the  governor 
to  keep  the  fexes  and  degrees  of  of- 
fenders entirety  feparate  from  each 
other,  and  under  fuch  regulations 
and  difcipiine,  as  promife  (with 
God's  bl effing)  to  work  a  thorough 
reformation  in  their  manners,where- 
.  t>y  they  may,  and  many  probably 
will  again  become  ufeful  members 
of  fociety.  The  houfe  is  conftruct- 
ed  agreeable  to  the  directions  of  the 
late  act  of  parliament,  and  fo  con- 
trived, that  there  are  feparate 
cells  for  each  prifone/,  airy,  neat, 
and  healthy,  in  which  they  fleep, 
and,  when  neceflary,  work  the  whole 
day  alone.  This  fblitude  is  found 
to  affect  the  woft  unfeeling  and  har- 
dened among  them,  beyond  fetters 
or  ftripes  $  and  is  that  part  of  their 
punifhment  from  which  reformation 
is  chiefly  expected.  Their  cells  are 
all  arched,  fo  that  no  fire  can  reach 
beyond  the  cell  in  which  it  begins. 
The  rules  and  orders  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  houfe  were,  at  the  de- 
fire  of  the  juftices  at  the  quarter 
feffions,  drawn  up  from,  and  accord- 
ing to  the  directions  of  the  faid  act, 
by  myfelf,  and  have  met  with  their 
L"'"i. 

ughborough,  who  came 
at  our  laft  aflizes,  ex- 
ifelf  fo  well  pleafed  with 
ind  regulations,  that  he' 
would  fend  thinner  every 
itenced  to  confinement, 
ingly  fent  fix  from  the 
Ls  this  attention  to  the 
norals  of  thofe  unhappy 
f  fociety  fhould  be  ex- 
will  by  the  firft  oppor- 


tunity (if  you  defire  it)  fend  yptt 
a  copy  of  the  rules  and  orders  of 
the  houfe,  together  with  the  re- 
turns conftantly  made  by  the  gover- 
nor to  each  quarter  feffions,  by 
which  you  will  fee  effected,  what  Mr, 
Howard  defpaired  'of,  viz.  "  thai 
"  the  prifoners*  earnings  in- the  houfe 
"  have  uniformly  exceeded  the  fum 
"  expended  for  their  maintenance." 
I  wifli  and  hope  this  example  thay 
excite  a  like  attention  in  other 
counties. 

I  am,  &c. 

Thomas  Beevor. 
Hethel  Hall,  Norfolk, 
Dec,  21,  1784. 


LETTER    II, 

Hethel,  Jan.  20,  1785. 

Sir, 

I  herewith  tranfmit  you  a  copy  of 
the  rules,  orders,  and  regulations, 
to  be  obferved  and  enforced  at  the 
houfe  of  correction  at  Wymondham ; 
and  which  are  alfo  uqw  extended 
to  the  other  houfes  of  correction 
in  this  county.  If  they  appear 
fevere,  let  it  be  underftood  they 
are  the  feverities  of  the  legiflature, 
not  of  the  compilers  The  firft 
feven  rules  are  infer  ted  verbatim 
from  the  fchedule  to  the  act  of  the 
22d  of  his  prefent  majefty. — The 
reft  are  either  included  in  the  body 
of  the  fame  act,  or  required  by 
the  ad  of  the  19th,  called  f  be 
Penitentiary  A3.  But  I  will  make 
no  apology  for  them,  nor  can  I  with 
any  propriety  deem  them  too  harih, 
fince  they  have  met  with  the  entire 
approbation  of  the  gentlemen  of 
this  county,  as  well  as  that  of 
the  judges  of  the  aflize,  who  hav$ 
perufed  them. 

JPrifons  furely  fhould  be  places  of 
real  puniftiment,    and    even  carry 

terror  - 


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89 


terror  in  their  name.  I  am  certain 
they  ought  not  to  afford  either  in- 
digencies or  amufements  to  the 
perfons  conflgned  to  them.  How- 
ever I  munV  obferve,  that  peffons 
committed  for  ftaall  offences,. or  on 
light  fufpicion,  are  under  lefs  re- 
rbraint.  They  are  allowed  to  work 
in  fome  fort  of  fociety,  two,  three, 
or  four  together  5  and  if  the  houfe 
be  full,  they  fometimes  lodge  two 
in  a  cell,  and  are  never  fettered. 
All  the  prifoners,  when  lick,  are 
attended  by  a  furgeon  or  apothe- 
cary, with  as  much  affiduity  and 
tendernefs  as  the  greateft  humanity 
can  require. 

I  have  fent  you  likewife  a  table 
of  .the  prifoner's  fare  or  diet  in  the 
houfe,  by  which  you  will  fee,  that 
although  not  pampered,  the)r  are 
*wbolefomdy  fed.  Experience  j  uni- 
fies roe  in  faying  this  3  for,  except 
inch  as  were  difeafed  when  they  en- 
tered the  houfe,  1  have  ,not  known 
•  one  prifoner  who  has  been  fick  in  it 
for  thefe  twelve  months  part,  r  In- 
cluded is  alfo  the  form  of  a  return 
made  by  the  keeper  of  the  houfe, 
to  every  quarter  feflions  of.  the 
peace,  whereby  the  ftate  of  the  pri- 
son is  conftantly  known  to  the  juf- 
tices,  and  all  abufes  obviated  or 
fpeedily  remedied. . 
I  am,  &c. 

Thomas  Bbevor. 

Rules,  ordgrs,  and  regulations,  to  be 
obferve d  and  enforced  at  the  Houfes 
of  Correction  in  the  county  ^Nor- 
folk. 

I.  That  the  feveral  perfons  com- 
mitted to  the  houfes  of  correction, 
to  be  kept  to  hard  labour,  fhall  be 
employed  (unlefs  prevented  by  ill 
-health )  every  day  (except  Sundays, 
Chriftmas-day,    and    Good-Friday) 


for  fo  maiiy  hours  as  the  day-Jight  in: 
the  different  feafons  of  the  year  will  t 
admit,  not  exceeding  twelve  hours, 
being  allowed  to  reft  half  an  hour  at % 
bveakfad,  an  hour  at  dinner,  and 
half  an  hour  at  fupper,  and  that  the 
intervals  fhall  be  noticed  by  the 
ringing  of  a  bell.  * 
•  II.  That  the  governor  of  each 
houfe  of  correction  fhall  adapt  the 
various  employment  directed  by  the 
juftices,  at  their  quarter  feflions,  to 
each  perfon,  in  fuch  manner  as  fhall 
be  heft  fuited  to'  his  or  her  ftrength 
and  ability,  regard  'being  had  to  age 
and  fex. 

III.  That  the  males  and  females 
fhall  be  employed,  and  fhall  eat  and. 

be  lodged  in  feparate  apartments,        / 
and   fhall   have  no  intercourfe  or 
communication  with  each  other. 

IV.  That  every  perfon  fo  com- 
mitted fhall  be  fuftained  with  bread, 
and  any  coarfe,  but  wholefome  food, 
and  water ;  but  perfons  under  the 
care  of  the  phyfician,  furgeon,  or 
apothecary,  fhall  have  fuch  food  and 
liquor  as  he  fhall  direct 

V.  That  the  governor,  and  fuch 
other  perfons  (if  any)  employed  by 

*  the  juftices  to  affift  the  governor, 
fhall  be  very  watchful  and  attentive 
in  feeing  that  the  perfons  fo  com- 
mitted are  conftantly  employed 
during  the  hours  of  work  5  and  if 
any  perfon  fliall  be  found  remifs  or 
negligent  in  performing  what  is  , 
required  to  be  done  by  fuch  perfon, 
to  the'befl  of  his  or  her  power  and 
ability,  or  fhall  wilfully  wafte/fpoil, 
or  damage  the  goods  committed  to 
his  or  her  care,  the  governor  lhall 
punifh  every  fuch  perfon  in  the  man- 
ner hereafter  directed. 

VI.  That  if  any .  perfon  fo  com- 
mitted fhall  refufe  to  obey  the  or- 
ders given  by  the  governor,  or  fliall 
be   guilty   o£  profane  curfing    or 

fwcaring, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


90  ANNUAL    REGISTERri786. 


fwearing,  or  of  any  indecent  beha- 
viour pr  expreifion,  or  of  any  affault, 
"quarrel,  or  abufive  words,  to  or  with 
any*  other  perfon,  he  or  fhe  fhall  be 
punilhed  for  the  fame  in  the  man- 
ner hereafter  directed. 

VII.  That  the  governor  fhall  have 
power  to  punifh  the  feveral  offen- 
ders, for  the  offences  herein  before 
defer i bed,  by  ciofer  confinement, 
and  fhall  enter  in  a  book  (to  be  kept 
by  him  for  the  infpec^ion  of  the  jus- 
tices, at  the  quarter  feflions,  and 
the  vifiting  juftice  or  juftices)  the 
name  of  every  perfon  who  fhall  be 
fo  punifhed,  exprelfing  tlie  offence, 
?nd  the  duration  of  the  puniihment . 
infliaed. 

VIII.  That  the  governor  fhall 
prevent  all  communication  between 
the  perlbns  committed  upon  charges 
of  felony,  or  convi&ed  of  any  theft 
or  larceny,  and  the  other  pri« 
foners.' 

IX.  That  the  governor  fhall  em- 
ploy in  fome  work  or  labour  (which 
is  not  fevere)  all  fuch  pri foners  as 
are  kept  and  maintained  by  the 
county,  though  by  the  warrant  of 
commitment  fuch  prifoner  was  not 
ordered  to  be  kept  to  hard  labour  $ 
and  he  fhall  keep  a  feparate  account 
of  the  work  done  by  prifoners  of 
this  defcription,  and  fhall  pay  half 

r  of  the  net  profits  to  them  on  their 
difcharge,  and  not  before. 

X.  That  the  governor,  nor  any 
pne  upder  him,  ihall  fell  any  thing 
ufed  in  the  houfe,  nor  have  any  be- 
nefit or  advantage  whatsoever,  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  from  the  fale  of 
any  thing,  under  the  penalty  of  ten 
pounds,  and  difmrflion  from  his 
employment  -,  neither  ihall  he  futrer 
any  wine,  ale,  fpirituous  or  other 
liquors,  to  be  brought  into  the 
houfe,  unlefs  for  a  nudical  purpofe, 
by  a  written  order  firpm  the  furgeoa 


or    apothecary    ufuaJly    attending' 
there. 

XI.  That  clean  ftraw  to  lodge 
upon,  fhall  be  allowed  to  eacji  pri- 
foner weekly,  or  oltener  if  neceffary, 
and  that  the  prifoners  be  obliged  to 
fweep  out  and  clean  their  rooms 
every  day,  and  the  dirt  and  duff  be 
conveyed  out  of  the  prifon  daily. 

XII.  That  no  perfon,  without 
penniiiion  of  a  vifiting  juftice,  ihall 
go  into  the  lodging-rooms,  or  fee  or 
converfe  with  any  prifoner  .com- 
mitted upon  a  charge  of  felony,  or 
convi&ed  of  any  theft  or  larceny 5 
and  all  the  prifoners  fhall  every 
night  in  the  year  be  locked  up,  and 
all  lights  extinguifhed,  at  or  before 
the  hour  of  nine,  and  fhall,  during 
reft,  be  kept  entirely  feparate,  if 
rooms  fufficient  can  be  found  for 
that  purpofe,  and  during  their  la- 
bour as  much  feparate  as  their  em- 
ployment will  admit  of. 

XIII.  That  the*  governor  may 
put  handcuffs  or  fetters  upon  any 
prifoner  who  is  refractory,  or  fhews 
a  difpoiition  to  break  out  of  prifon, 
buf:  he  fhall  give  notice  thereof  to 
one  of  the  vifiting  juftices,  within 
forty-eight  hours  after  the  .prifoner 
ihall  be  fo  fettered,  and  he  fhall  not 
continue  fuch  fettering  longer  than 
fix  days,  without  an  order  in  writing 
from  one  of  the  vifiting  juftices. 

XIV.  That  every  prifoner  be 
obliged  to  waih  bis  face  and  hands 
once,  at  leaft,  every  day,  before  hi* 
bread  be  given  to  him. 

XV.  That  each  prifoner  be  al- 
lowed a  clean  ihirt  once  in  a  week. 

XVI.  That  the  three  prohibitory 
daufes  of  the  34th  Geo.  II.  chap. 
40,  be  painted  on  a  board,  and  hung 
up  in  fome  confpicuous  part  of  the 
prifon,  together  with  a  printed  copy 
of  thefe  rules,  orders,  and  regula- 
tions* 

A  Table 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


USEFUL    PROJECTS. 


01 


SunJqy, 
Monday , 

We4nefday% 
cfhurfday9 
frufax, 
S&urjaj, 


,  Brealfajl. 

A  pc^ny  loaf 

Ditto 

Ditto 

Ditto 

Ditto 

Ditto-  . 

DUto 


A  Table  of  Diet. 

Dinner. 

HanwayV  foups  of  ox  cheek*  &c 

A  penny  loaf 

potatoes 

Boiled  peafe 

A  penny  loaf 

Potatoes  * 

Boiled  pcafe 


'    LETTER    III. 


Defer iptioK  of  the  Frifon. 


Sir, 


Bethel y  FeB.it,  1786. 


In  compliance  with  your  requeft, 
I  npw  tranfmit  to  you  a  description 
of  tjie  prifon  wjiicfe  has  been  ere&ed 
at  Wymondbam,  in  this  county , 

■  the  fuccefs  of  which  having  fo  much 
exceeded  the  eipqftatiojis*  and  fo 
fully  anfwered  the  whhes  of  the 
gentlemen  here,  is  to  encourage 
them  to  alter,  and  make  additions 
to  all  the  other  bridewells  within 
their  jurifdicfton,  and  to  put  each 
of  them  under  the  fame  regula- 
t  tions. 

The  new  buildings  of  the  Wy- 
mondham  Bridewell,  added  to  the 
Jprmer  old  hpufe  (which  is  now  ap- 
propriated to  the  ufe  of  the  gover- 
nor) confift  of  two  wings,  which 
are  attached  to  the  old  hpufe,  and 

v  joined  by  a  building  in  front,  con- 
taining a  large  room,  in  which  is 
placejd  a  mill  for  cutting  logwood, 
or  any  other  wood  for  the  ufe  of 
dyers,  and  beating  hemp  5  toge- 
ther with  a  ftable,  and  ftore-rooms 
for  lodging  the  materials  ufed  by 
the  prisoners  in  their  work.  The 
whole  of  thefe  buildings  form  a 
quadrangle,  inclpfing  an  area*  or 


yard,  of  about  eighty  feet  by  fe-- 
venty  feet  5  in  which  fome  of  th« 
prifoners  are  allowed  occafionally 
to  take  the  air.  In  the  two  wings, 
only  (to  both  which  there  is  a  paf- 
iage  from  the  governor's  houfe)  af« 
the  offenders  confined ;  and  in  each 
of  them  there  are  on  the  ground- 
floor  feven  feparate  rooms,  or  cells, 
for  tHc  mem  prifoners,  of  fourteen 
feet  eight  inches  by  feven  feet  four 
inches,  with  a  work-room  of  twenty 
feet  fix  inches  by  ten  feet 

On  the  floor  above,  which  is 
chiefly  ufed  for  the  women  and  lefs 
dangerous  prifoners,  are,  in  each 
wing,  four  feparate  rooms  or  cells, 
of  the  fame  dimenfiohs  with  thofe 
below  j  with  a  work-room  to  each 
wing,  the  fame  as  on  the  ground- 
floor;  together  with  an  infirmary 
of  ten  feet  fix  inches  by  fourteen 
feet  eight  inches,  and  ,a  fcullery, 
clofet,  and  neceflary  to  each.  The 
cells,  both  above  and  below,  are 
all  arched,  to  prevent  the  poflibility 
of  fire,  or  any  probable  communi- 
cation of  infectious  diforders.  They 
are  all  ten  feet  high  ;  and  the  win- 
dows of  thefe  rooms  looking  into 
the  quadrangle,  and  being  grated 
infide  and  outfide  with  iron,  and 
feven  feet  high  from  the  floor  of  the 
rooms,  afford  the  prifoners  no  pof- 
fibilky  of  looking  out,  or  having 
the  leaft  intercourfe  with  any  other 

perfon. 


•      Digitized  by  VjOO( 


92  AN  N  UAL    REG  I  ST  ER,  1786. 


perfon.  The  cells  are  airy,  having 
only  wooden  fh  utters  to  the  win- 
dows j  and  by  a  flip  or  wicket  in 
the  doors,  a  thorough  air  is  admit- 
ted, Whereby  they  are  always  free 
from  any  ill  fcent.  This  is  how- 
ever with  an  exception  to  one*  cell 
on  the  upper  floor  in  each  wing, 
and  to  the  infirmaries  5  for  the 
windows  of  thefe  are  glazed,  and 
have  caferrients  to  open  occafion- 
ally  >  being  moftly  kept  for  the  ufe 
of  women  having  infant  children 
with  them,  'and  for  the  weak  and 
convalefcent  prifoners.  But  as  the 
conftru#ion  of  this  building  would 
little  anfwer  the  purpofc  of  its 
erection,  without  a  correfpondent 
management  and  conduct  in  the* 
interior  government  of  it,  good  cape 
has  been  taken  to  enforce  the  rules, 
orders,  and  regulations  eftablifhed  $ 
and  returns .  are  regularly  made  by 
the  governor  to  the  juftices  at  every 
quarter  feffions. 

The  manufactory  eftablifhed  here 
at  prefent,-  is  that  of  cutting  log- 
wood for  the  dyers  at  Norwich,  and 
beating,  heckling,  v  and  ifpinning 
hemp.  In  the  labour  of  heckling, 
a  tolerable  workman  will  earn  from 
eight  {hillings  to  ten  millings  per 
week.  The  women  and  girls  fpin 
it  by  a  wheel  fo  contrived  as  to 
draw  a  thread  with  each  hand  5  by 
which  means,  two  of  them  can  earn 
at-  leaf!  equal  wages  with  three  wo- 
men fpinning  with  one  hand  only. 
If  the  building  fhould  be  enlarged, 
and  the  number-  of  prifoners  in- 
creafe,  fome  of  them  will  then  be 
inftructed  in  the  art  of  weaving  the 
yarn  made  in  the  houfe.  At  pre- 
fent, both  the  tow  and  the  yarn  is 
fold  to  the  different  houfes  of  in- 
duftry  eftablifhed  in  this  county,  and 
at  Norwich.  In  the  laft  return  of 
the  governor  to  the.quarter  feffions, 


we  had  the  fatisfa&ion  to  find,  that 
the  money  arifing  from  the  earn- 
ings of  the  prifoners,  was  one  pound 
eight  fhillings  add  ten-pence  more 
than  double  the  fum  expended  for 
their  maintenance. 

This,  though  it  cannot  be  deemed  . 
more  than  a^/econdary  consideration, 
is  furely  no  trifling  one  to  derive  a 
profit  from  the  labour  of  fuch  per- 
fons  as  were  heretofore  loft  to,  or 
become  a  burden  upon  the  public ; 
and  it  ftrongly  marks  the  impolicy 
of  fending  thefe  unhappy  objects 
out  of  the  kingdom.  This  flim  in- 
deed was  further  increafed  about  five 
guineasj-by  adding  to  it  the  profit 
from  the  trade  account  j  but  as  to 
have  this  become  the  general  refult, 
muft  depend  greatly,  perhaps  chief- 
ly, upon  the  choice  of  the  gover- 
nor, and  fomewhat  on^  the  activity 
of  the  magi  ft  rates,  too  much  care 
cannot  be  taken  in  the  firft,  efpe- 
cially  as  it  will  be  the  probable 
means  of  exciting  -  the  latter.  ,  We 
have  been  fo  fortunate  as  to  meet 
with  a  governor  who  relieves  us  from 
a  great  part  of  our  attention  to,  and 
direction  of  him. 

The  filence  and  peaceable  de- 
meanour, the  cleanlinefs  and  induf-  * 
try,  of  thofe  unhappy  perfons  who 
are  the  inhabitants  of  this  houfe, 
are  really  admirable ;  and  fuch  as 
greatly  encourages  "the  pleafing  ex« 
pectation,  that  their  punifhment  will 
have  that  effect  upon  their  future 
lives  arid  conduct,  which  every  hu- 
mane benevolent  mind  muft  fin- 
cerely  wifh  for.  And  they  leave 
me  without  a  ddubt,  that  bridewells, 
with  proper  attention  paid  to  them, 
may  in  future  be  made  feminaries 
of  induftry  and  reformation,  inftead 
of  receptacles  of  idlenefs  and  cor- 
ruption. To  effect  thefe  purpoffes, 
it  will  be  neceflary  to  provide  the 
prifooers 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


U  SBPUL    PRO)  EC  T  S. 


prifbners  with  Writable  and  conftant 
work.  This  in  "moft  counties  will 
neceffarily  vary,  but  may  be  eafily 
obtained,  efpecially  if,  by  an  allow- 
ance to  the  governor  out  of  their 
earnings,  it  be  made  his  intereft  as 
1  well  as  his  duty  to  look  carefully  to 
the  performance  of  it.  The  allow-  ^ 
ance  given  at  this  houfe,  is  three- 
fence  in  every  iliilling  of  the  nett 
earnings,  and  this  is  conlidered  as 
a  part  of  his  1  alary. 

I  muft  not  omit  to  inform  you, 
that  in  this  folkary  confinement,  and 
thus  employed,  it  has  not  yet  been 
found  necehary  topuniih  any  of  the 
prisoners  with  irons ;  and  that,  fince 
the  new  erection  and  regulation  of 
this  prifon,  the  magiftrates  in  the 
"vicinity,  as  well  as  the  keeper  of  it, 
-  have  obierved,  that  in  no  oqe  equal 
period  of  time  has  there  been  fo  few 
commitments  to  it. 

This  preventive  juftice,  fo  prefer- 
able to  punitive  juftice,  moil  fully 
evinces  the  propriety  and  humanity 
of  the  undertaking,  and  muft  natu- 
rally excite  a  hope,  that  fimilar 
plans  will  be  adopted  in  every  coun- 
ty. This  indeed  I  am  ftrongly  in- 
duced to  believe  will  foon  be  the 
cafe,  as  I  have  already  received  let- 
ters from  different  gentlemen  in 
Gloucefterfhire,  Oxfordihire,  Wilts, 
Hertfdrdihire,  Hampfhire,  York- 
.  iliire,  Lancafhire,  Suffolk,  Wales, 
and  Scotland,  requeuing  the  plan, 
rules,  orders,  table  of  diet,  and  re- 
turns ;  informing  me,  that  in  their 
refpe&ive  counties  they  had  deter- 
mined upon  building,  and  putting 
their  houfes  of  correction  under 
fimilar  regulations.  T  The  gentle- 
men of  the  city  of  Norwich  have 
alfo  fent  a  deputation  of  their'  ma- 
giftrates.  to  view  the  prifon ;  .upon 
-  *  whole  report,  they  mean  initantly  to 
enter  upon  a  reformation  of  their 
own  prifons. 


93 

If  in  this  letter  I  may  appear  to 
have  been  either  prolix,  or  frivolous, 
but  ihould  notwithstanding  have 
been  able  to  convey  any  uieful  hints 
to  the  public,  I  ihall  be  Satisfied  in  ' 
having  facrificed:the  reputation  of 
ability  at  the  ihrifie  of  duty,  and 
with  pleafure  fubferibe  myfelf,  &c. 
Thomas  Bbevor. 

[N.  B.  In  another  letter,  dated 
Feb.  1 8th,  Sir  Thomas  Beevor  has 
added  the  following  remarks  : —     ' 

"  In  proof  of  the  cleanlinefs, 
and  healthinels  of  this  prifon,  no 
perfon  who  entered  it  in  Health  has 
hitherto  fallen  lick  in  it.  /I  have 
never  had  any  complaint  agamffc 
any  one  for  immorality  or  prophane- 
nefs.  The  effect  of  the  folitaruiefs- 
and  mechanical  regularity  of  the 
place  is  fuch,  as  to  render  them  fo 
contrite  and  lubdued,  that  it  not 
onjy  promifes  fair  for  a  lading  re- 
forma tiori  in  thefe  poor  unfortunate 
wretches,  but,  what  is  a  ftili  better 
and  more  pleafing  confideration, 
that  it  may  prove  a  preventive  of 
crimes  in  others.  For,  from  au  ex- 
amination of  the  commitments  to 
this  houfe,  before  and  fince  the 
prefent  regulation  took  place,  it  ap- 
pears, that  one-third  fewer  have 
been  confined  in  it  fince  the  latter 
period ;  and  it  is  fomewhaf  remark- 
able; that,  except  in  one  inltance, 
no  prifoner  has  been  a  iecond  time 
committed  to  it."] 


On  the  ufe  of Jieeping  Seed^Barley  in 
a  dtyfeafon.  By  Mr.  James  Chap- 
pie, addrejjed  to  the  secretary  <of  ibe 
Bath  Cociety.  From  the  fame  work. 

Sir,  '  .     v 

MY  great  fuccefs  hi  making  the 
following  experiment,  occa- 
fions  my  communicating  an  account 

of 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


ANNUAL  REGlStER,    1786, 


94 

of  it  to  you,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
public,  if  thought  worthy  a  place  in 
the  third  volume  of  the  Bath  So- 
ciety's experimental  papers. 

The  laft  fpring  being  remarkably 
dry,  I  foaked  my  feed-barley  in  the 
black  water  taken  from  a  refervoir 
which  conftantly  receives  the  drain- 
ing of  my  dung  heap  and  (tables. 
As  the  light  corn  floated  on  the 
top  I  ikimmed  it  off,  and  let  the  reft 
ftand  twenty- four  hours.  On  taking 
it  from  the  water,  I  mixed  the 
feed  grain  with  a  fufficient  quanti- 
ty of  lifted  wood  afhes  to  make  it 
fpread  regularly,  and  fowed  three 
fields  with  it.  I  began  fowing  the 
16th,  andfiniflied  the  23d  of  April. 
The  produce  was  fixty  bumels  per 
acre,  of  good  clean  barley,  without 
any  fmall  or green  corn,  or  weeds  at 
harveft.  Noperfon  in  this  country 
had  better  grain. 

I  fowed  alfo  feveral  other  fields 
with  the  fame  feed  dry,  and  without 
any  preparation  5  but  the  crop,  like 
thofe  of  my  neighbours,  was  very 
.poor  5  not  more  than  twenty  bufhels 
per  acre,  and  much  mixed  with 
green  corn  and  weeds  when  har- 
vefted.  I  alfo  fowed  fome  of  the  feed 
dry  on  one  ridge  in  each  of  my  for- 
mer fields,  but  the  produce  was  very 
poor  in  comparison  of  the  other 
parts  of  the  field. 

I  am,  &c. 

James  Chapple. 
Bodmin 9  March  12,  1784. 

[We  confider  this  experiment  as 
a  very  interefting  one, .  and  recom- 
mend general  trials  to  be  made,  both 
in  wet  and  dry  fpring  feafons.] 


An  Account  of  a  ne*w  kind  of  Cement, 
peculiarly  hard  and  Itfli/ig,  made 
from  fome   Red  Earth  or  Puzzo- 


l&nz, found  iti  Jamaica. .  HxiraBea* 
from  Tranfa&ions  of  the  Society 
toftituted  at  London  for  the  En- 
couragement of  Arts,  Manufac- 
tures, and  Commerce. 

IN  the  year  1774,  the  fociety  re- 
ceived from  one  of  their  corres- 
ponding members  in  Jamaica  a  cafk 
of  red  earth,  a  proper  quantity  of 
which  was  fentio  feveral  architects, 
for  trial. 

The  gentleman  from  "Whom  it 
came  thought  it  a  kind  of  Puzzo- 
lana,  and  defcribed  his  method  of 
ufing  it  as  follows :  "  To  one  mea- 
fure  of  the  red  earth,  add  two  of 
the  fame  meafure  of  well  flackt  lime, 
and  one  of  fand,  and  then  let /them 
be  well  mixed  and  wrought  like 
common  mortar,  with  fair  water, 
and  fo  made  up  in  a  Jieap,  but 
in  about  eight  hours  it  will  begin 
to  acquire  a  hardnefs,  and  the  heap 
muft  be  cut  down,  and  well  wet 
with  water,  and  fmartly  worked  and 
mixed  over  again,  and  fo  fmartly 
worked  and  wet  morning  and  even- 
ing, for  a  whole  week,  before  it  is 
fit  for  ufe ;  and  after  it  is  laid  on,  it 
muft  be  ftri&ly  attended  while  it 
dries  and  hardens,  to  clofe  any 
crack  that  may  appear  in  the  drying, 
for  about  forty-eight  hours,, and  then 
it  is  generally  out  of  danger. 

But  if  any  cracks,  &c.  fhould  ap- 
pear after  it  is  quite  dry,  as  fuppofe 
the  covering  of  a  building,  ciftern, 
&c.  a  labourer,  with  a  little  fand 
or -brick-duft,  and  a  little  common 
White-wafli,  thrown  over  the  crack 
and  fmartly  rubbed  in  with  a  brick- 
bat, or  fandy  ftone,  the  crack  will 
fbon  difappear,  and  the  work  will  be 
as  good  as  ever. 

Cifterns,  refervoirs,   canals,    and 
all  manner  of  conveniencies  to  col- 
left  rain-water  and  retain  it,  of  any 
reafonabld 


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USEFUL    PROJECTS. 


95 


Jfcafonable  dimenfions,  may  at  a 
very  (mail  expence  be  made,  and 
completely  finifhed  with  this  com- 
position, to  contain  and  fecufe  rain- 
water. 

By  means  of  this  compofition,  a 
mortar  may  be  made  (far  exceeding 
any  other)  wherewith  to  lay  the 
foundation,  and  raife  the  fuperflruc- 
ture  of  any  dam,  bridge,  or  gutter- 
ing ;  and  in  fhort,  any  kind  of  build- 
ing where  water,  or  any  kind  of /li- 
quid, is  to  be  concerned,  becaufe 
the  foft  new-made  mortar  will  har- 
den, and  foon  become  like  a  ftone 
totally  immerfed  in  water. 

Of  this  compofition  may  be  made 
the  beft  coverings  for  all  manner  of 
buildings,  witnefs  my  own  houfe, 
that  has  been  covered  with  this  com- 
pofition (though  not  at  that  time 
brought  to  its  prefent  perfection) 
thele  twenty  years,  and  is  not  a  pin 
the  worfe. 

In  regard  to  matters  of  plea- 
sure, terrace-walks,  canals,  flower- 
pots, urns,  obdiiks,  ftatues,  and 
even  coloflal  flatues,  and  other  or- 
naments for  gardens,  may  be  made 
of  or  with  this  compofition,  as  it 
refifts  rain,  and  every  fort  of  moif- 
ture,  and  nothing  but  violence  will 
make  the  leafl  impreflion,  fo  that 
the  five  orders  of  architecture,  with 
their  various  ornaments,  may  be 
moil  elegantly  expreifed  on  the 
outfide  or  infide  of  buildings,  in 
the  plaifterers  way,  and  laft  for 
ages,  if  no  violence  is  ufed  to 
them. 

In  covering  a  building,  I  would 
choofe  to  lay  it  on  fix  inches  thick, 
upon  a  flat  ftrong-framed  well-lath- 
ed roof,  as  it  will  fhrink  in  drying, 
and  is  the  belt  and  cheapeft  cover- 
ing I  know  of,  as  I  have  experi- 
enced ever  fi  nee  1747." 


7  he  following  are  tnvo  letters  from 
Mr.  Mylne,  addrejfed  to  the  fecre- 
tary  of  the  above-mentioned  f octet} 9 
relative  to  his  exferimenti  oh  the 
Red  Earth. 

Sir, 
"  I  have  made  a  fair  trial  of  the 
Puzzolana  earth,  received  fome  year* 
fince  from  the  fociety  for  encourage- 
ment of  arts,-  manufactures,  and 
commerce,  and  although  it  has  laia 
long  by  me,  it  turns  out  a  very  good 
fubftitutc  to  Dutch  terras,  or  Ita- 
lian Puzzolana,  for  works  immerfed 
in  water.  As  you  have  informed 
me,  there  ftill  remains  a  quantity  of 
it  in  the  fociety 's  poffeflion,  I  fhall 
be  glad  of  fome  to  make  further 
trials  in  other  fituations,  and  fhall 
be  glad  to  know  the  particular 
place  in  Jamaica  from  whence  it 
came,  and  the  chriftian  name  of 
Mr.  Brown,  by  whom  it  was  fent. 
It  was  tried  agaihft  fome  Britifh 
materials,  and  proved  far  better  than, 
any  of  them.  -^ 

I  am,  fir. 
Your  very  humble  fervant, 

Robert  Mylnb." 
Ne*w  River  Head, 
A'<w.  30,  1784.  4 

Mr.  More, 

«  Sir, 

*'  I  have  it  now  in  my  power 
to  write  you  decidedly  on  the  red 
earth,  of  which  I  received  a  fpeci- 
men  for  trial  in  water- works. 

"  I  have  put  it  to  very  fevere  ( 
trials,  and  have  found  it  anfwer 
extremely  well,  as  a  fubftitute  for 
Dutch  terras,  or  Puzzolana  earth  ' 
from  Italy;  they  are  all  three  vol- 
canic fubftances,  and  have  the  fame 
peculiar  qualities.  Befides  what  I 
received  from  you,  I  obtained  by 

means 


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96 


ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


means  of  a  friend,  a  quantity  from 
Jamaica,  which  on  comparative  tri- 
als proved  the  fame  as  that  you  fent 
me ;  it  is  found  in  vaft  quantities 
on  the  eftate  of  Mr.  £rown,  in  the 
parifh  of  St.  Elizabeth  in  Jamaica. 
There  are  many  acres  of  it,  for  it 
lies  on  the  furfaee  of  the  ground } 
in  this  it  is  different  from  Puzzo- 
lana,  which  lies  in  lira t a  under 
ground,  like  coaL  Dutch  terras  is  a 
tufa  ftone/found  on  the  rocky  banks 
.  of  the  Rhine,  and  reduced  to'powder 
by  mills  in  Holland,  v  * 

"  Mr.  Brown,  who  fent  this  Ja- 
maica terras  to  the  fociety,  is  now 
dead,  and  the  eftate  on  which  it  is 
found  is  called  DettiHgerr,  and  is 


now  the  property  of  his  fon,  a  very 
intelligent  gentleman, 
.  "  On  enquiry  into  the  means  of 
bringing "  it  into  this  country,  I 
find  the  expence  of  carriage  to  the 
water  .fide  there,  and  freight  to  this 
country,  will  prevent  the  ufe  of  it 
here,.  'I  wiih  it  however  to  be  made 
as  public  as  poffible.  It  may  be  of 
ufe  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  "Weft 
India  iflands  and  fome  other  of  our 
colonies. 

I  am,  fir, 
Your  very  humble  fervatft, 
Robert  Mylne." 

New  River  Uead% 
Feb.  28,  1786, 


ANTIQUITIES. 


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C    97    3 


ANT  IQ^U  I  TIES; 


A  defcription  of  Thebes,  from  Diodo- 
rus  Siculus  and  Strabo.  State  of 
that  city  under  the  Perfians,  Ro- 
man, and  Turkifh  Emperors.  The 
porticos,  fphinx  -  avenues $  edifices,  . 
and  ruins  of  the  great  temple, 
near  Carnac,  in  the  eaftern  part  of 
Thebes,  which  building  and  ruins 
.  are  half  a  league  in  circumference. 
The  plain  of  Carnac/  leading  '(o 
Luxor,  which  formerly  was  covered 
with  houfesy  cultivated  at  prefent. 
The' remains  of  the  temple  of  Lirxorx 
and  the  magnificent  obelijks,  which 
s  are  the  moft .  beautiful  in  Egypt, 
or  the  whole  world,  defcribed : 
Extracled  from  the  tranjlation  of 
Monf  Savary'j  Letters  on  Egypt, 
Vol.  II. 

Grand  Cairo. 

"  fiOING  from  Cous  towards 
VJ  AfTouan,  we  leave  the  town 
of  Nequada  on  the  right.  The  Ma- 
hometans have  feveral  mofques,  and 
a  Coptic  bifhop  refides  there.  The 
ifland  of  Matara  is  very  near  it,  and 
two  leagues  further  we  difcover  the 
ruins  of  Thebes,  the  magnificence 
of  which  poets  and  hiftorians  have 
alike  been  eager  to  defcribe.  Cita- 
tions from  the  ancients,  who  favv 
this  city,  will  give  you,  Sir,  an  idea  * 
of  what  it  formerly  wasj  and  an 
exa&  account    of  the  monuments 

*  U}?'  *• 

+  Diodorus  Siculus  includes  the  fphinx- avenues,  and  the  porticos,  edifices,  and 

courts  which  are  built  round  the  temple,  properly  fa»called  $  and  we  (hall  find  he  was 

very  near-  the  truth.  s  * 

Vol.  XXVIII.  H  *  lifh. 


ftill  in  being,  will  enable  you,  to 
judge  what  degree  of  credit  thofe 
recitals  deferve.  The  dotted  line  in 
the  map,  paflingby  Carnac,  Luxor, - 
Medinet-Abou,  and  Gournou,  will 
indicate  what  the  extent  was  of  this 
once  famous  cityt 

«  The,  great  Diofpolis,"  ,fays 
Diodorus  Siculus*,  "  which  the 
Greeks  have  named  Thebes,  was 
fix  leagues  in  circurhference.  Bif- 
fins, who  founded  it,  adorned  itt 
witl\  magnificent  edifices  and  pre- 
fents.  The  fame  of  its  power  and 
wealth,  celebrated  by  Homer,  has 
filled  the  world.  Its  gates,  an<J 
the  4  numerous  veftibules  of  its 
temples,  occafioned  this  poet  to 
give  it  the  name  of  Hecatompylis* 
Never  was  there^a  city  that  received 
ip  many  offerings,  in  filveV,  gold, 
ivory,  coloflal  ftatues,  and  obelilks, 
each  cut  from  a  fingle  ftone.  Four 
principal  temples  are  efpecially 
adrhired  there,  the  moft  ancient  of 
which  was  furprifingly  grand  and 
fumptuous.  It  was  thirteen  ftadia 
in  circumference  f,  and  furround- 
ed  by  walls  twenty- four  feet  in 
thicknefs,  and  forty-five  cubits  high . 
The  riches  and  workmanihip  of  its 
ornaments  were  correfpondent  to 
the  majefty  of  the  building,  which 
many  kings  contributed  to  embel- 


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98         ANNUAL     REGISTER,,  1786. 

liih.  The  temple  dill  is  ftartding, 
but  it  was  flripped  of  its  filver,  gold, 
ivory,  and  precious  ftones,  when 
Cambyfes  let  lire  to  all  the  temples 
of  Egypt." 

I  have  only  quoted  the  principal  , 
fadk  which  that  hiftorian  writes  con- 
cerning ,  the  flouriihing  itate  of 
Thebes,  they  being  fufficient  to 
convey  an  idea  of  its  beauty  ;  what  I 
ihall  cite  from  Strabo  will  give  a  pic- 
ture of  its  decline,  fuch  as  it  was 
eighteen  centuries  ago. 

"  Thebes,  or  Diofpolis,  prefents 
only  remains  of  its  former  grandeur, 
difperied  over  a  fpace  eighty  ftadia 
in  length.  Here  are  found  a  great 
number  of  temples,  in  part  deftroyed' 
by  Cambyfes:  its  inhabitants  have 
retired  to  fmall  towns,  eall  of  the 
Nile,  where  the  prefent  city  is 
built  -j  and  to  the  weftern  fhore, 
near  Memnonium  *,  at  which  place 
we  admire  two  coloffal  (tone  figures, 
itanding  on  each  tide  $  the  one  en- 
tire, the  other  in  part  thrown  down, 
it  has  been  faid,  by  an  earthquakef. 
There  is  a  popular  opinion,  that  the 
remaining  part  of  this  ftatue,  to- 
wards the  bafe,  utters  a  found  once 
a  day.  Curiofity  leading  me  to  ex* 
amine  the  fact,  I  went  thither  with 
iElius  Gall  us,  who  was  accompa- 
nied by  his  numerous  friends,and  an 
efcort  of  foldiers.  I  heard  a  found, 
about  fix  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
but  dare  not  affirm  whether  it 
proceeded  from  the  bafe,  from  the 
coloiius,  or  had  been  preduced  by 
fome  peribn  prefent  5  for  one  is 
rather  inclined  to  fuppofe  a  thou- 
fand  different  caufes,  than  that  it 
fhould  be  the  effect   of  a  certain 


a  (Tembl  age  of  it  ones .  Beyond  Mem- 
nonium are  the  tombs  of  the  king*, 
hewn  out  of  the  rock.  There  arc 
about  forty,  made  after  a  marvel- 
lous manner,  and  worthy  the  atten- 
tion of  travellers ;  near  them  arc 
obeliiks,bearing  various  infcriptions, 
defcriptive  of  the  wealth,  power, 
and  extenlive  empire  of  thole 
fovereigns,  who  reigned  over  Scythia, 
Baclxiana,  India,  and  what  is  now 
called  Ionia.  They  alfo  recount 
the  various  tributes  thofe  kings 
had  exacted,  and  the  number  of 
their  troops,  which  amounted  to  a 
million  of  men.'* 

Before  I  tell  you,  Sir,  how  mm 
of  the  monuments  defcribed  by  theic 
hiftorians  ltill  exift,  it  is  neceifaryto 
inform  you  of  the  diftribution  of  the 
ornaments,  veftibules,  courts,  and 
edifices  of  the  Egyptian  temples 
led  we  mould  lofe  ourfelves  amidfi 
their  ruins. 

"  In  front  of  each  of  the  temples 
of  Egypt  is  a  paved  avenue,  a  hun- 
dred feet  wide,  and  three  or  four 
hundred  in  length.  Two  rows  of 
fphinxes,  twenty  cubits  or  more  dii* 
tant  from  each  other,  adorned  the 
fides  of  thefe  avenues,  at  the  end 
of  which  porticos  were  built,  but 
not  in  any  fixed  number.  Theli 
porticos  lead  to  a  magnificent  open 
fpace,  which  fronts  the  temple.  Be- 
yond is  the  fanctuary,  which  i? 
fmaller,  and  in  which  no  huiwn 
figures  are  ever  fculptured,  and 
very  feldom  thofe  of  animals.- 
Walls,  of  an  equal  height  with  the 
temple,  form  the  fides  of  this  open 
fpace.  Thefe  walls  run  in  diverging 
lines,    and   are  wideft   at  the  tod 


*  Strabo  calls  the  temple,  near  which  was  the  itatue  of  Memnon,  M^i- 
noinum. 

f  Strabo  is  the  only  ancient  writer  who  attributes  the  fall  of  this  coloflus  to  an 
•arthqaake;  the  reft  all  fay  itw.is  thrown  dawn  by  order  o£  Cambyfes. 


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ANf  I  CLU  1  T  1  £  &  # 

lartheft  from  the  temple  bjr  fifty  ot    that  is  to  fay,    a  phallus,  which> 
fixty  cubits.  They  abound  in  fculp-    among  the  Egyptians,  was  the  fym- 


tured  figures,  after  the  planner  of 
the  ancient  Greek  and  Etrufcan 
works.  There  is  ufually  a  fpacious 
edifice,  fupported  by  a  prodigious 
number  of  columns,  befide.  thefe 
temples*."  Having  nothing  to 
confult  but  monuments  mutilated 
by  men  or  by  time,  I  hope  the 
above  defcription  will  fupply  the 
imperfection  of  mine.  Thus  guided, 
.  let  us  advance  to  the  fouth  of  Car- 
nac,  where  we  find  the  remains  of 
One  of  the  four  principal  temples 
mentioned  by  Diodorus  Siculus. 
Here  are  eight  entrances,  three  of 
which  have  each  a  fphinx  of  enormous 
fize  flanding  in  front  $  with  two  co- 
lofTalftatues,on  each  fide  the  fphinx, 
which  are  each  cut  from  a  (ingle 
block  of  marble,  in  the  antique 
tafte.  Crofiing  thefe  majellic  ave- 
toues,  we  come  to(  four  porticos, 
each  thirty  feet  wicle,  fifty-two  in 
height,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty 
in  length.  The  entrance  to  thete 
is  through  pyramidal  gates,  and 
the  ceiling  is  formed  of  ftones  of  an 
aftonifhing  fize,  fupported  by  the 
two  walls. 

The  firfl  of  thefe  porticos  is  en- 
tirely of  red  granite,  perfectly  po- 
lifhed.  Without  are  four  rows  of 
hieroglyphics,  within  only  three. 
Gn  each  of  the  latter  I  remarked 
two  human  figures,  larger  than 
life,  and  fctdptured  with  great  art. 
Coloflal  figures,  rifing  fifteen  feet 
above  the  bottom  of  the  door,  de- 
corate its  fides  j  without  are  two 
ftatues,  thirty-three  feet  high,  the 
one  of  red  granite,  the  other  fpot- 
ted  with  black  and  grey ;  and 
within  is  another,  of  a  fingle  block 
of  marble,  Wanting  the  head,  each 
bearing  a  kind  of  crofs  in  its  hand, 


bol  of  fertility. 

The  fecond  portico  is  half  de- 
ftroyed  ;  the  gate  has  only  two  rows 
of  hieroglyphics,  of  gigantic  fize, 
one  towards  the  fouth,  the  other 
towards  the  north.  Each  front  o( 
the  third  portico  is  covered  witji 
hieroglyphics  of  coloflal  figures, 
and  at  the  entrance  of  the  gate  are 
the  remains  of  a  ftatue  of  white 
marble,  the  trunk  of  which  is  fif- 
teen feet  in  circumference,  and 
wearing  a  helmet,  round  which  a 
ferpent  is  twined.  The  fourth  por- 
tico is  little,  more  than  walls,  almoft 
entirely  deftfoyed,  and  heaps  of  rub- 
bifh,  among  which  are  parts  of  a 
coloflus,  of  red  granite,  the  body  of 
which  is  thirty  feet  round. 

Beyond  thefe  porticos  the  high 
walls,  which  form  the  firft  court  of 
the  temple,  began.  The  people  en- 
tered at  twelve  gates  j  feveral  are 
deftroyed,  and  others  very  ruin- 
ous. That  which  has  fuffered  leaft 
from  time,  and  the  outrages  of  bar- 
barians, faces  the  weft.  Before  it 
is  a  long  fphinx-avenue.  The  di- 
menfions  of  this  gate  are  forty  feet 
in  width,  fixty  high,  and  forty-eight 
thick  at  the  foundation.  In  the 
front  are  two  rows  of  fmall  win- 
dows, and  the  remains  of  fteps  in 
its  fides,  leading  to  its  fummit. 
This  gate,  fo  mafly  as  to  appear 
indeftru&ible,  is  in  the  ruftic  ltile, 
without  hieroglyphics,  and  magni- 
ficent in  fimplicity.  Through  this 
we  enter  the  great  court,  on  two 
of  the  fides  of  which  -are  terraces, 
eighty  feet  in  width,  and'raifed 
fix  feet  above  the  ground.  Along 
thefe  run  two  beautiful  colonades. 
Beyond  is  the  fecond  court,  which 
leads  to   the.  temple,  and,   by  its 

H  2  extent, 

*  Strabo,  lib.  17. 


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ioo        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


extent,  equals  the  majefty-  of  the 
building.  It  is  likewife  embel- 
lished by  a  double  colonadej  each 
column  is  above  fifty  feet  high, 
and  eighteen  in  circumference  at 
the  bafe.  Their  capitals  are  in  the 
form  of  a  vafe,  over  which  a  i'quare 
ftone  is  laid,  which  probably  ferved 
as  a  pedeftal  for  flatues.  Two  pro- 
digious coloflal  figures,  mutilated 
by  violence,  terminate  thefe  colon- 
ades.  Standing  at  this  place,  the 
aftopifhed  eye  furveys  the  temple, 
the  height  of  which  is  moil  furprif- 
ing,  in  all  its  immenfity.  Its  walls 
of  marble  appear  everlafting.  Its 
roof,  which  rifes  in  the  centre,  is 
fuftained  by  eighteen  rows  of  co- 
lumns. Thofe  Sanding  under  the 
moft  lofty  part  are  thirty  feet  in 
circumference,  and  eighty  in  height; 
the  others  are  one  third  lefs.  The 
world  does  not  contain  a  building 
the  character  and  grandeur  of  which 
more  forcibly  imprefs  awe  and  ma- 
jefty :  it  feems  adequate  to  the 
high  idea  the  Egyptians  had  form- 
ed of  the  Supreme  Being  j  nor  can 
it  be  entered  or  beheld  but  with 
reverence.  Its  fides,  both  within 
and  without,  are  loaded  with  hiero- 
glyphics, and  extraordinary  figures. 
On  the  northern  wall  are  reprefen- 
tations  of  battles,  with  horfes  and 
chariots,  one  of  which  is  drawn  by 
le  fouthern  are  two 
ribpies,  at  the  end  of 
n  appears  j  the  ma- 
hem  with  poles ;  two 
t  the  ftern,  feem  to 
proceedings,  and    re- 


ceive their  homage.  Thefe  are 
allegoric  defigns.  In  the  poetic 
language  of  the  Greeks,  the  fun 
was  painted  in  a  car,  drawn  by 
horfes,  guided  by  Apollo.  The 
Egyptians  reprefent  it  on  board  a 
fhip  conducted  by  Ofiris,  and  feven 
mariners,  who  reprefent  the  pla- 
nets *. 

The  entrance,  which  fronted  the 
temple  of  Luxor,  b  greatly  decay- 
ed j  but,  if  we  may  judge  by  the . 
obelifks  that  remain,  it  mufi  have 
been  moft  fumptuous.  There  are 
two  of  fixty  feet  high,  and  twenty- 
one  in  circumference  at  the  bafe ; 
and,  a  little  farther,  two  others,  of 
feven -two  feet  in  height,  and 
thirty  in  circumference.  Each  of 
thefe  fupcrb*  monuments  is  formed 
from  a  (ingle,  block  of  red  granite, 
and  does  honour  to  the  genius  and 
fcience  of  the  antient  Egyptians. 
There  are  hieroglyphics,  in  various 
divifions,  engraved  on  thefe  obe- 
lisks, three  of  which  remain  Hand- 
ing, and  the  other  is  thrown  down. 

Proceeding  N  eaftward  from  the 
great  temple,  after  croffing  heaps 
of  rubbifh,  we  come  to  a  building 
called  by  Strabo  the  fan6tuary; 
which  is  fmall.  The  gate  is  orna- 
mented with  columns,  three  of 
which  are  grouped  and  united  un- 
der one  ible  capital.  Within  are 
various  apartments  of  granite.  Here 
the  virgin  confecrated  to  Jupiter 
was  kept,  and  who  offered  herfelf 
in  facrifice  after  a  very  extraordi-  . 
nary  manner  +. 

I  have  only  defcribed  thofe  parts 


Somrt.  Scipionis.  Mart.  Capella,  lib.  2. 
priBcipue  colunt  (Thebani)  virgo  quaedam  genere  clarifiima  et 
yra  facratitr  ;  quales  Graeci  Pallacas  vocant.  Ea  pellicis  more  cmb 
c  ufque  ad  naturalem  corporis  purgationem.  Poft  purgationem, 
;  fed  priufquam  nubat,  poft  pellicatus  tempus,  in  mortuae  morem 
o,  lib/ 1 7.  .  " 

of 


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ANT  I  QJJ  I  T  I  E  S. 


IC! 


of  the  temple,  fir,  which  are  in 
befl  prefervation.  Within  its  vaft 
limits  are  feveral  edifices,  almoft 
deftroyed,  which,  no  doubt,  ap- 
pertained to  the  priefts  and  fa- 
cred  animals.  Near  the  ruins  is  a 
large  expanfe  of  water  3  and  we 
meet  at  every  ftep  with  remains  of 
columns,  fphiqxes,  flatues,  colofial 
figures,  and  ruins,  fo  magnificent 
that  the  imagination  is  kept  in 
continual"  admiration  and  amaze- 
*ment.  Were-  the  ground  occupied 
by  the  various  entrances,  porticos, 
and  courts,  appertaining  to  the  tem- 
ple meafured,  we  fhould  find  the 
whole  was  at  leaft  half  a  league  in 
circumference  5  and  that  Diodorus 
Siculus  was  not  deceived  when  he 
allowed  it  that  extent. 

The  plain  lying  between  Carnac 
and  Luxor  is  not  lefs  than  a  league 
in  length,  and  was  once  covered 
with  the  houfes  of  the  Egyptians, 
who  lived  in  that  eaftern  part  of 
Thebes,  Though,  according  to 
Diodorus  Siculus*,  they  were  five 
flories  high,  and  folidly  built,  they 
have  not  been  able  to  refill  the 
ravages  of  time  and  conquerors, 
but  are  totally  deftroyedt.  The 
ground  is  at  prefent  much  raifed  by 
the  annual  floodings  of  the  river, 
which  has  covered  it  with  feveral 
feet  of  mud,  and  the  ruins  are  be- 
^ow  the  furface.  Corn,  flax,  and 
vegetables,  grow  in  the  very  places 
where,  three  thoufand  years  ago, 
public  fquares,  palaces,  and  numer- 
ous edifices,  were  the  admiration  of 
the  enlightened  people  who  inhabit- 
ed them.  At  the  farther  end  of  this 
plain  i&  the  village  of  Luxor,  near 


which  are  the  avenues  and  remains 
of  another  temple,  ftill  more  ruin- 
ous than  the  firft.  Jts  extent  is  fpa-' 
cious,  and  fo  are  its  courts,  which* 
are  entered  under  porticos  fupported 
by  columns  forty  feet  high,  without 
eftimating  the  bate,  buried  under 
the  fand.  Pyramidal  majefiic  gates', 
abounding  in  hieroglyphics  -,  the 
remains  of  walls  built  with  flags 
of  granite/ arid  which  the  barba- 

.  rity  of  men  only  could  overturn  ', 
rows  of  colofial  marble  figures,  for- 
ty feet  high,  one  third  buried  in 
the  ground  j  all  declare  what  the 
magnificence  of  the  principal  edi- 
fice, the  fcite  of  which  is  known  by 
a  hill  of  ruins,  mull  have  been.'  But 
nothing  can  give  a  more  fublime 
idea  of  its  grandeur  than  the  two 
obeliiks  by  which  it  was  embellish- 
ed, and  which  feem  to  have  been 
placed  there  by  giants,  or.the  genii 
of  fable.  They  are  each  a  folid 
block  of  granite,  feventy-two  feet 
high  above  the  furface,  and  thirty- 
two  in  circumference  -,  but,  being  ' 
funk  deep  in  the  fand  and  mud,  they 
may  well  be  fuppofed  ninety  feet 
from  the  bafe.  to  the  fummit.  The 
one  is  fplit  towards  the  middle ;  the 
other  perfectly  prefer ved.  The  hie- 
roglyphics they  contain,  divided  into" 
columns,  and-cut  in  bas-relief  pro- 
jecting an  inch  and  a  half,  do  ho- 
nour  to  the  fculptorj    the  harih- 

„  nefs  of  the  itone  has  preferved  them 
from  being  injured  by  tbefcir.  No- 
thin  gcan  be  more  majeltic  than  thefe 
obeliiks.  Egypt  is  the  fole  country 
in  the  world  where  men  have  per- 
formed worjvslike  thefe)  yet  there 
is  not  a  city  on  the  face  of  the  globe 


#  Diodorus  Siculus,  lib.  ?. 

t  Pocock,  deceived  by  this  total  dcftru&ion,  imagined  Thebes  formerly  con- 
tained no  great  buildings  except  the  temples,  and  that  the  inhabitants  tliere 
lived  in  huts  or  tents,  &c.  The  teftimony  of  Diodorus  Siculus  refutes  this  af- 
fetfion,  -     .      4 

H  3  where 


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102        ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


where  they  would  not  become  its 
grandefl  ornament. 

Such,  fir,  are  the  moft  remarkable 
monuments  found  at  preient  on  the 
eaftern  fide  of  Thebes.  Their  very 
afpect  would  awaken  the  genius  of  a 
polilhed  nation,  but  the  Turks  and 
Copts,  cru filed  to  dull  beneath  an 
iron  fceptre,  behold  them  without 
aftonifhment,  and  build  huts,  which 
fcarcely  can  fcreen  them  from  the 
fun,  in  their-jaeighbourhood.  Thefe 
barbarians,  if  they  want  a  mill-Hone, 
do  not  blufh  to  overturn  a  column, 
the  fupport  of  a  temple  or  poilico, 
and  faw  it  in  pieces.  Thus  abject 
does  defpotifm  render  men  !" 


A  Vifit  to  the  Tombs  of  the  Kings  of 
Thebes,  dug  in  the  Mountain,  through 
fubterranean  Paffages.  Sarcophagi, 
Galleries,  and  Hieroglyphics  defcribed. 
Obfervations  on  the  grand  Temple, 
the  Roof  of  which  <was  fupported 
by  fquare  Pillars,  bearing  Statues. 
Parts  of  a  prodigious  Colojfal  Fi- 
gure found  among  thefe  Ruins.  The 
Ruins  of  Memnonium,  denoted  by 
heaps  of  Marble  and  Rows  of  Sta- 
tues, either  mutilated  or  funk  a  Third 
of  their  Hripht  in  the  Earth,  And 
particularly  by  the  celebrated  Colojfal 

nous  among 
it  articu- 

n  the  fame 

and  Cairo, 
urnou  and 
iuilt  where 
once  flood, 
uins.  One 
rft  are  the 
nelouk,  the 
\  are  feen 
monarchs 


of  the  Thiebais.     The  road  to  them 
is  fire  wed  with  marbles  and  frag- 
ments, and  we  Arrive  at  them  by  a 
winding  narrow  pafs,  the  fides  of 
which,  in  various  places,  have  been 
hollowed  out.      Large   excavations 
have  been  made  in  the  rock,  which 
were  antecedent  to  the  building  of 
houfes   and   palaces.      The    valley 
widens  at  the  farther  end  about  two 
hundred  fathoms,  and  here,  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountain,  are  th&pafifoges 
which,  lead  to  the  tombs.     Strabo 
counts  forty   of   them*,    Diodorus 
Siculus  forty-fevenf ;  but  he  adds, 
that  in  the  time  of  Aiiguftus  ieven- 
teen  only  remained,  fome  of  which 
were  very  much  damaged.     At  pre-* 
fent  molt  of  them  are  clofed  up, 
and  nine  of  them  only  can  be  enter- 
ed .    The  fubterranean  'galleries  lead- 
ing to  them  are  in  general  ten  feet 
high,  and  as  many  in  breadth.  The 
walls  and  roofs,  cut  in  a  white  rock, 
preferve    the    brilliant     polifh     of 
ftucco.      At  the  far  end  of  four 
principal  alleys,  longer  and  higher 
than  the  reft,  is,  the  door  of  a  large 
hall,  in  the  centre  of  which  a  mar- 
ble tomb   is  feen,   on   the   top  of 
which  a  figure  is  fculptured  in  bafib- 
relievo,  and  another  holding  a  fcep- 
tre in  one  hand  on  the  wall  ;  a  third 
alfo  on  the  ceiling,  bearing  a  fcep- 
tre, with  wings  defending*  as  low 
as  his  heels. 

The  fecond  grotto  is  fpacious 
and  much  embellifhed,  containing 
on  the  ceiling  numerous  golden 
ftars  5  birds  painted  in  colours 
which  feem  to  have  loft  nothing 
ojf  their  freflinefs  and  brilliancy} 
and  hieroglyphics  divided  in  co- 
lumns, and  engraved  in  the  walls. 
Two  men  are  feated  befide  the  gate, 
the  paflage  to  which  is  a  long  gentle 


ibo,  lib.  17.     +  Diod.  Siculus. 


decliyity, 


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A  N  T  I  Q^U  I  T  I  E  S. 


declivity.  A  block  of  red  granite 
Sixteen  feet  high,  ten  long,  and  fix 
wide,  forms  the  farcopfiagus  of  the 
king,  who  is  fculptnred  in  baflb- 
relievo  on  the  top  of  the  tomb,  and 
furrotfnded  by  a  hieroglyphical  in- 
icription.  Niches  cut  out  of  the* 
rock  probably  ferved  as  repofitories 
for  the  'mummies  of  the  royal  fa- 
mily. The  tombs  erected  in  other 
apartments  have  been  carried  away 
by  force,  as  their  fragments  atteft. 
There  is  one  exceedingly  fine  grotto 
which  contains  only  a  marble  lid  ten 
feet  long  and  fix  wide  -,  and  in  the 
farther  part  of  the  moft  diftant  ca- 
vern is  a  human  figure  in  baflb-re- 
lievo,  with  the  arms'  crofiing  the 
breaft,  and  two  others  kneeling,  one 
on  each  fide. 

Thefe  galleries  and  fubterranean 
apartments,  which  go  very  far  under 
the  mountains,  and  a  very  fmall 
part  only  of  which  I  have  defcribed, 
are  embellifhed  by  marble  figures 
•  of  men,  birds,  and  various  ani- 
mals j  fome ,  fculptured  in  baflb-re- 
lievo,  others  cut  hollow,  and  fome 
painted  in  colours  which  are  not  to 
be  effaced.  Thefe  unintelligible 
characters,  which  contain  the  hif- 
-  tory  of  the  times,  conceal  beneath 
their  impenetrable  veil  moft  inte- 
refting  difcoveries,  and  the  moll 
remarkable  fa&s  relative  to  the 
monarchs  of  the  Thebais,  whole 
powder  extended  as  far  as  India. 
Torches  are  necefiary  in  Examining 
thefe  labyrinths,  into  which  the 
light  of  day  cannot  penetrate. — 
Such,  Sir,  are  the  caverns  where  the 
bodies  of  kings  repofe,  furrounded 
by  filence  and  (hades.  A  kind  of 
religious  terror  is  felt  while  wan- 
dering through  them,  as  if  the  pre- 
tence of  the    living  difiurbed  the 


I03 

dead,  in  the  afylums  where  they 
have  retired  to  reft  in  peaceful 
fleep. 

Returning  from  thefe  dark  abodes, 
and  proceeding  fouth-eah\  the  tra-> 
veller  foon  meets  with  the  remains 
of  a  temple,  on  the  fquare  pillars  of 
which  are  the  ftatues  that  all  have 
had  their  heads  broken  on%  holding 
a  fceptre  in  one  hand  and  a  whip 
in  the  other.  This  edifice  is  little 
more  than  a  mountain  of  ruins. 
—  On  the  fouth  fide  rs  a  pyramidal 
gate,  which  was  the  entrance  to  a 
portico.  The  extent  of  the  courts 
round  the  temple  is  denoted  by 
fragments  of  columns,  and  ftones 
of  an  incredible  grandeur.  In  one 
of  thefe  courts  are  parts  of  two 
ftatues  of  black  marble,  which  were 
thirty  feet  high  j  in  the  other,  one 
ftands  in  ftupid  amazement,  at  be- 
holding a  colbflal  figure  -extended 
on  the  ground,  and  broken  near  the 
middle.  The  fpace  between  the 
ihoulders  is  one  and  twenty  feet, 
the  head  eleven  feet  in  length  and 
eighteen  in  circumference.  This  gi- 
gantic ftatue  is  only  inferior  in  lize 
to  that  of  Memnon.  The  remains 
of  the  buildings  appertaining  to  this 
temple  cover  a  mile  of  ground,  and* 
leave  a  high  idea  of  its  magnificence 
in  the  mind. 

Proceeding  onward  about  half  a 
league,  we  come  to  the  ruins  of 
Memnonium,  near  Medinet-Abou, 
where  is  the  largeft  colofius  of 
Egypt,  which  marks  the  fituation 
of  the  tomb  of  Ofymandyas,  for  fo 
Diodorus  Siculus  indicates.  Before 
I  defcribe  the  ruins  of  this  famous 
place,  permit  me  to  cite  what  Dio- 
dorus has  written  on  the  fubje6r.- 
"  Ten  ftadia  from  the  tombs  of  the 
kings    of  Thebes  *>   fays   this  hil- 

torian, 


f 
Diod.    Siculus,  lib*  i.    The  grc.t  caverns,  where  the  tombs  of  the  kings  o_ 


H 


Thebe 


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104        AKNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


torain,."  is  the  admirable  one* of 
Ofymandyas.  The  entrance  to  it 
is  by  a  veftibule  ,  of  various  co- 
loured ftones,  two  hundred  feet  long 
and  fixty-eight  high.  Leaving  this 
we  enter  a'fquare  periftyle,  each 
fide  of  which  is  four  hundred  feet 
in  length.  Animals  twenty- four 
feet  high/  cut  from  the  blocks  of 
granite,  ferve  as  columns,  and  fup- 
port  the  ceiling,  which  is  compofed 
of 'marble  flabs  twenty-feven  feet 
fqnare,  and  embellifhed  through- 
out by  golden  ftars,  glittering  on 
a  ground  of  azure.  Beyond  this 
periftyle  is  another  entrance,  and 
after  that  a  veftibule,  built  jike  the 
firft,  but  containing  more  fculp- 
tures  of  all'kinds.  7  At  the  entrance 
are  three  ftatues,-.  formed  from  a 
fingle  ftone  by  Memnon  Syenite, 
the  principal  of  which,  reprefent- 
ing  the  king,  is  feated,  and  is  the 
largeft  in  Egypt.  One  of  its  feet 
exactly  meafured  is  above  feVen 
cubits.  The  other  two  figures  fup- 
ported  on  his  knees,  the  one  on  the 
right,  the  other  on  the  left,  are 
thofe  of  his  mother  and  daughter. 
The  whole  work  is  lefs  valuable  for 
its  enormous  grandeur  than  for  the 
beauty  of  the  fculpture,  and  the 
choice  of  the  granite,  which,  tho' 
fo  ex  ten  five,  has  neither  flaw  nor 
blemifh  on  its  furface.  The  co- 
ription,  /  am 
ings  :  be  <who 
greatnefs,  and 
kftroy  fame  one 


of  thefe  works  *.  Befides  this  is  an- 
other ftatue  of  iiis  mother,  cut  from 
a  fingle  block  of  granite  thirty  feet 
high.  Three  queen*  are  fculptured 
on  her  head,  intimating  that  ftie 
was  daughter,  wife,  and  mother  of 
a  king. 

"  After  this  portico  is  a  periftyle 
ftill  more  beautiful  than  the  firft, 
on  the  ftones  of  which  is  engraved 
the  hiftory  of  the  war  of  Ofyman- 
dyas againft  the  rebels  of  Ba&riana. 
The  facade  of  the  front  wall  exhibits 
this  prince  attacking  ramparts,  at  the 
foot  of  which  the  river  flows ;  he  is 
combating  advanced  troops,  and  by 
his  fide  is  a  terrible  lion,  ardent  in 
his  defence.  ,On  the  right  wall 
are  captives  in  chains,  with  their 
hands  and  genitals  cut  off,  as  marks 
•  of  reproach  for  their  cowardice. 
The  wall  on  the  left  contains 
fymbolical  figures,  of  exceedingly 
good  fculpture,  defcriptive  of  the 
triumphs  and  facrifice  of  Ofyman- 
dyas returning  from  this  war.  In 
the. centre  of  the  periftyle,  where 
the  roof  is  open,  an  altar  was  erected 
of  a  fingle  ftone  of  marvellous  bulk 
and  exquifite  workmanfhip  5  and 
at  the  farther  wall  are  two  co- 
loflal  figures,  each  hewn  from  a 
fingle  block  of  marble  forty  feet 
high,  fea.ted  on  their  pedeftals.  This 
admirable  periftyle  has  three  gates, 
one  between  the  two  ftatues,  and 
the  others  on  each  fide.  Thefe  lead 
to  an  edifice  two  hundred  feet 
fquare,  the  roof  of  which  is  fup- 


e  only  three  quarters  of  a  league  from    Medinet-Abou  ; 
jrably  exacl,    fmce,  at  moft,  he  is  not  deceived  above  a 
cock  has  committed  a  more  confiderable  error,  in  placing 
at  Luxor,  on  the  other  fide  the  Nile, 
tion  was  fatal  to  the  colcflils,  and  occafioned  Cambyfes  to 

?  Von  detruife  ;  the  Greek,  nx&T«  ?)  r  quo*  spyuv,  let  him 
ne  of  my  works.     T. 


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A  N  T  I  QJJ  I  T  I  E  S. 


to* 


ported  by  bigh  columns.  Jt  re* 
(enables  a  magnificent  theatre.  Se-r 
veral  figures  carved  in  wood  repre- 
fent  a  tribunal  adminiftering  Juf- 
tice.  Thirty  judges  are  feen  on  one 
of  the  walls,  and  in  the  midft  of 
them  the  chief  juftice,  with  a  pile 
of  books  at  his  feet,  and  a  figure  of 
Truth,  with  her  eyes  fhut,  fuf- 
pended  from  his. neck. 

"  Beyond  is  a  walk  furrounded 
by*  edifices  of  various  forms,  in 
which  were  tables  ftored  with  all 
kinds  of  mod  delicious  viands.  In 
one  of  thefe  Ofymandyas,  cloathed 
in  magnificent  robes,  offers  up  the 
gold  and  filver  which  he  annually 
drew  from  the  mines  of  Egypt  to 
the  gods.  Beneath,  the  amount  of 
this  revenue,  which  was  thirty-two 
million  minas  of  filver,  was  in- 
scribed. Another  building  con- 
taiped  the  facred  library,  at  the  en- 
trance of  w4iich  thefe  words  were 
read,  Physic  for  the  Soul.  A 
fourth  contained  all  the  deities  of 
Egypt,  with  the  king  offering 
fuitable>  prefents  to  each,  and  cal- 
ling Ofiris  and  the  furrounding 
divinities  to  witnefs  he^  had  exer- 
cifed  piety  towards  the  gods,  and 
juftice  toward  men.  Befide  the 
library  flood  one  of  the  fineft  of 
thefe  edifices,  and  in  it  twenty 
couches  to  recline  on  while  feaft- 
ingj  alfo  the  flatues  of  Jupiter, 
Juno,  and  Ofymandyas,  whofe  body 
it  is  fuppofed  was .  depofited  here. 
Various  adjoining  apartments  con- 
tained reprefentations  of  all  the 
confecrated  animals  of  Egypt. 
Hence  was  the  afcent  to  the  fe- 
pulchre  of  the  king,  on  the  fummit 


of  which  was  placed  a  circle  of  gold 
in  thicknefs  one  cubit,,  and  three 
hundred  and  fixty-five  in  circum- 
ference ;  each  cubit  correfponded  to 
a,  day  in  the  year,  and  on  it  were 
engraved  the  rifing  and  fetting  of 
the  ftars  for  'that  day,  with  fuch 
afirological  indications  as  the  fu- 
perftition  of  the  Egyptians  had  af- 
fixed to  them.  Cambyfes  is  fa  id  to 
haye  carried  off  this  circle  when  he 
ravaged  Egypt.  Such,  according  to 
hiftorians,  was  the  tomb  of  Ofy- 
mandyas, which  furpaffed  all' others, 
as  well  by  its  wealth  as  by  the  work- 
manfhip  of  the  ikilful  artitls  em- 
ployed*." 

I  dare  not,  Sir,. warrant  all  that 
Diodorus  -  Siculus  advances  on  the 
faith  of  preceding  writers ;  for  in  ' 
his  time  the.  greateft  part  of  thefe 
edifices  were  no  longer  in  exiftence. 
Nay,  I  confefs  that,  in  any  other 
country,  fuch  marvellous  edifices 
would  pafs  for  mere  chimaerasj 
but  in  this  land  of  fecundity,  which 
feems  to  have  been  firlt  honoured 
by  the  creative  genius  of  the  arts, 
they  acquire  probability.  Let  us 
examine  the  remains  of  thofe  mo- 
numents, and  our  eyes  will  oblige 
us  to  believe  in  miracles.  Thefe 
remains  are,  heaped  together  near 
Medinet- Abou  f,  in  the  circum- 
ference of  about  half  a  league. 
The  tempje,  veftibules,  and  peri- 
ftyles,  prefent  only  piles  of  ruins, 
among  which  fome  pyramidal  gates 
rear  their  heads,  whofe  folidity  has 
rendered  them  indeftructible ;  but 
the  numerous  coloffal  figures  .de- 
fcribed  by  Diodorus,  though  muti- 
lated, dill  fubfift.   That  neareft  the 


*  Some  very  flight  deviations  from  the  French  text  have  been  made-  on  the  au- 
thority of  Diodorus.     T. 

+  Medinet-Abou  fignifies  the  city  of  the  father.  That  Memnonium  flood  here 
cannot  be  doubttd,  fince  it  is  alfo  called,  in  the  Itinerary,  Papa,  or  father. 


ruins. 


Digitized  by  VjQOQIC 


io6\     ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 

ruins,  which  is  of  yellow  marble,  is 
funk  in  the  earth  one  third  of  its 

/height.  On  a  line  with  it  is  an- 
other of  fpotted  marble,  black  and 
white,  thirty  feet  long,  with  many 
hieroglyphics  fculptured  on  its  back. 
In  the  fpace  between  them,  the 
ground  is  covered  with  fragments  of 
columns,  and  broken  ftatues,  de- 
noting the  arrangement  of  the  vef- 
tibules.    Beyond  are  two  other  co- 

'  loflal  ftatues,  totally  disfigured  j  and 
a  hundred  fathom  Hill  further  the 


traveller  is  ftruck  with  aftoniihment 
at  the  fight  of  two  gigantic  figures, 
which  feem  like  rocks,  and  are 
feated  befide  each  other.  Their 
pedeftals  are  nearly  equal,  and  form- 
ed from  blocks  of  granite  thirty 
feet  long,  and  eighteen  wide.  The 
fmalleft  of  thefe  ftatues  is  alfo  one 
fole  ftone  \  the  other,  the  largeft  in 
Egypt,  is  formed  of  five  different 
pieces  of  granite,  and  broken  in 
the  middle.  This  fhould  feem  to 
be  the  ftatue  of  Ofymandyas*,  for 
we  find  two  figures,  fculptured  in 
baflb-relievo,  the  iength  of  his  legs, 
and  riling  one  third  as  high  as  him- 
felf.  Thefe  were  the  mother  and 
daughter  of  this  prince.  The  other 
coloflus,  of  one  fihgle  ftone,  cor- 
refponding  to  the  dimensions  Dio- 
dorus  Siculus  gives,  alfo  reprefented 
the  mother  of  the  king. '  You  will 
form  fome  idea  of  the  gigantic  fize 
of  the  grand  coloflus,  when  you  are 
told  that  its  foot  alone  is  near  ele- 
ven feet  long,  which  anfwer?  to  the 
feven  cubits  of  Diodorus.  This 
ftatue,  the  half  of  which  remains  on 


hs  bale,  and  which  Strabo  calls  the 
ftatue  qf  Memnon,  uttered  a  found 
at  fun-riling.  Its  fame  formerly 
was  very  great.  Several  writets 
have  fpoken  of  it  with  entkuliafm, 
regarding  it  as  one  of  the  feven 
wonders  of  the  world.  A  crowd 
of  Greek  and  Latin  infcriptk>ns„ 
which  are  Hill  legible  on  the  bafe 
and  legs  of  the  coloflus,  atteft  that 
princes,  generals,  governors,  and 
men  of  all  conditions,  have  heard 
this  miraculous  found.  You  know, 
Sir,  what  the  judicious  Strabo 
thought,  and,  I  hope,  you  will  be 
of  his  opinion.  Such,  Sir,  are  the 
remains  of  Thebes,  and  her  hun- 
dred gates,  the  antiquity  of  which 
is  loft  in  the  obfeurity  of  ages,  and 
which  ftill  contains  proofs  of  the 
perfection  of  the  arts  in  thofe  moft 
di^ant  times.  £11  here  is  fublime; 
all  majeftic.  Its  kings  feem  to  have 
acquired  the  glory  of  never  dying, 
while  their  obelilks  and  coloffal  fta- 
tues exift,  and  to  have  only  laboured 
for  immortality.  They  could  pre- 
ferve  their  memory  againft  the  ef- 
forts' of  'time,  but  not  againft  the 
barbarifm  of  conquerors ;  thofe 
'  rhoft  dreadful  fcourges  of  fcience 
and  nations,  which,  in  their  pride, 
they  have  too  often  era&d  from  the 
face  of  the  earth." 


Dr.  GlafsV  letter  to  William  Marf- 
deh,  E/fj.  on  the  affinity  of  certain 
<word$  in  the  language  of  the  Sand- 
wich and  Friendly  Mes  in  the  Pa- 


*  The  only  objection  to  this  opinion  is  that,  according  to  Diodorus  Siculus,  the 
ftatue  of  Oi'ymandyas,  with  thofe  of  his  mother  and  daughter,  were  all  formed  from 
one  fole  block ;  and  this  coloflTus  is  compofed  of  ftveial  pieces:  but  the  firft  of  thefe 
pieces,  reaching  from  the  fole  of  the  foot  to  the  elbows,  comprehends  the  two  other 
figures,  which,  perhaps,  is  what  the  liiftorian  means  XsS  fay*.  The  remainder  is 
conformable  to  his  description. 

dfc 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ I 


AN  T  I  QJU  I  T  I  E  S. 


toy 


cific  Ocean,  with  the  Hebrew. — •  exactly  the  fenfe  in  which  it  feems 
Prom  the  %tb  volume  of  the  Archae-  to  occur  in  the  journals  of  captain 
ologia.  Cook,  &c.  with  the  flight  tranfpo* 

lit  ion  of  one  vowel. 

My  dear  Friend, 


YOU  know  my  opinion  as  to 
the  originality  or  the  Hebrew 
language :  to  this  you  muft  attri- 
bute the  trouble  I  am  now  giving 
you. 

If  there  was  a  time  when  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  world  fpoke  He- 
brew, then  we  are  jutlified  in  our 
attempts  at  tracing  to  that  primary 
fource  any  word  in  any  language 
fpoken  on  the  habitable  globe :  and 
an  argument  connected  with  thefe 
data,  though  It  may  not  carry  con- 
viction with  it,  will  not,  I  hope,  be 
confidered,  prima  facie,  as  abfurd 
and  impoflible. 

It  is  my  opinion,  then,  that  the 
word  taboo,  which  is  {6  common  in 
all  the  iflands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
and  which  occurs  fo  very  frequently 
in  the  journals  of  our  circumna- 
vigators, is,  foffiblj,  of  Hebrew 
origin. 

At  leafi  thus  much  is  certain,  that 
the  Hebrew  word  mum  Taooba, 
from  irrr,  has  the  fame  precife  fig- 
nification  iwith  the  word  Taboo,  as 
ufed  in  the  Sandwich  and  Friendly 
ifles,  &c. 

The  word  aim  as  a  verb  fignifies 
tranfitively,  to  loath,  naufeate,  abo- 
minate, both  in  a  natural  and  mental 
fenfe.  From  hence  is  derived  mum 
Taoob-a,  and  mum  Taaob-ath,  an 
abomination. 

It  occurs  in  feveral  places  of  the 
facred  writings  $  but  the  three  fol- 
lowing inftances  are  fufficiently  in 
point  for  my  purpofe,  viz.  to  fhew 
that  the  effect  of  that  abomination 
we  fpeak  of,  was  interdictory,  and 
that  to  a  very  high  degree,  which  is 


Genefis  Ixiil.  33. 

"  And  they  fet  on  (meat)  for 
him  (Jofeph)  by  himfelf,  and  for 
them  (the  fons  of  Jacob)  by  them- 
felvesj  and  for 'the  Egyptians  which 
did  eat  with  him  (in  his  prefence) 
by  themfelves,  becaufe  the  Egyp- 
tians might  not  eat  bread  with  the 
Hebrews,  for  that  is  mum,  /  aooba, 
to  the  Egyptians." 

An  inhabitant  of  O-why-hee 
would  have  given  the  very  fame 
reafon  for  fuch  a  feparatioh  at  his 
meal.  / 

II. 

genefis  xlvi.  33,  34. 

€<  And  it  (hall  come  to  pafs  when 
"  Pharaoh  fhall  call  you,  and  fhaU 
"  fay,  '  What  is  your  occupation  ?'* 

"  That  ye  fhall  fay,  <  Thy  fer- 
<r  vants  trade  hath  been  about  cat- 
"  tie,  from  our  youth  even  until 
'I  now,-  both  we  and  our  fathers  :* 
H  that  ye  may  dwell  in  the  land 
"  of  Goihen,  for  every  fhepherd  is 
"  mum  cJaoob-ath,  to  the  Egyp- 
"  tians." 

III. 

Exodus  viii.  a$,  26. 

And  Pharaoh  called  for  Mofes 
and  Aaron,  and  -  faid  :  "  Go  ye, 
"  facrifice  to  your*  God  in  the 
"  land." 

And  Mofes  faid  :  «,  It  is-  ttot 
"  meet  fo  to  do,  for  we  fhall  facri- 
"  fice  the  abomination  of  the  Egyp- 
€€  tians  to  the  Lord  our  God 
"  ( l  aoob-ath  MizraimJ,  Lo,  fhall 
"  we  facrifice  pnvL^  mum,  that 
"  which  the  Egyptians  are  forbid- 

"  den 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


ioS        ANNUAL    RE  GI  STER,  1786. 

u  den  to  ufe,  before  their  eyes,  and 
"  will  they  not  ftone  us  ?" 

There  is  little  doubt,  that  Mofes 
in  this  place  alludes  to  the  well-- 
known Egyptian  hiftories  of  Ilis 
and  Ofiris,  and  that  the  co*w  was  the 
taboo' d  animal  which  it  was  fo  ha- 
zardous to  facrifice  in  Egypt. 

Herodotus  gives  us  the  reafon  in 
his  Euterpe : 

T«c  pit  ar  x«Ga£tf?  £*?$  t«?  tgraof* 
nal  T«?  /*•?%&(  of  va'plts  Aiyvif\m  $t/t?<r»* 
T«<  Si  $j;Aia>  ov  a$i  ?|ir*  $t/«»'  aXKoi 
ieat  ibffi  rrii  "ictoi*  To  ycL%  tjj?  "iaioq 
ayaXua,  tot  yvp&ixxiQp  9  fiaxigap  tn, 
xaSetwtf  "EhXtnq  t*j>  'la*  y$a<pttci*  xctl 
ra;  0$;  tea;  §r>>.ix<;  Alyvnlm  vrci*lt<; 
l/uoia?  ciZoflai,  vglGclrvp  wettlur  [Att,far» 

"  All  the  Egyptians  facrifice 
bulls,  and  bull-calves  which  are 
free  from  blemifhj.but  cows  they 
are  forbidden  to  offer  up,  for  they 
are  holy  to  Ifis.  For  the  reprefen- 
tation  of  Ifis  is  that  of  a  female 
with  a  cow's  horns,  as  the  Greeks 
paint  16,  and  all  the  Egyptians  do 
thus  venerate  cows  (boves  foemi- 
nas)  far  more  than  all  other  cat- 
tle." 

In  confequence  of  this,  their  be- 
haviour to  perfons  coming  from  a 
country  not  fo  fcrupulous  gives  us 
a  moft  perfect  idea  of  the  taboo. 

Tup  ftnxa,  ht%  euh%  Aiyfatlw*  Sti 
yvrr\  atfya.  "Ete.i)fa  <p»^<r«i<x>  tw  ro/Aaii. 

*<?  o€foot?i,  do)  XiGvrri,  u$i  x$svs  xaGa^S 


is  account  no  Egyptian 
man  will  kifs  a  Greek, 
fword  of  a  Greek,  nor 
ts,  or  caldrons;  nor  will 
ifte  the  flefh  of  a  clean 
h  is  carved  with  a  Gre- 

the  Tacob-a~Mizrdim  in 


its  effe&s,  which  are  exactly  analo- 
gous to  thofe  of  the  iaboo. 

The  tenor  of  thefe  obfervations 
is  fupported  by  the  Jewifh  Rabbi- 
nical Comment,  called  Targum 
Onkelos,  on  Genefis  xliii.  32.  quo- 
ted by  the  ingenious  and  learned 
Mr.  Parkhurft  in  his  Lexicon,  on 
the  word  aim,  where  it  is  faid, 
"  For  the  Egyptians  could  not  eat 
"  bread  with  the  Hebrews,  becaufe 
'"  the  beads  which  the  Egyptians 
"  worfhipped  the  Hebrews  eat." 

If  I  miftake  not,  the  taboo  of  the 
iflands  has  fome  connection,  not  ac- 
curately underflood,  with  their  reli- 
gious tenets. 

This  conjecture  will  receive  ad- 
ditional ftrength,  if  in  the  courfe 
of  future  enquiry  there  mould  ap- 
pear, as  I  cannot  but  fufpe&  will 
be  the  cafe,  as  marked  an  affinity 
between  other  words  in  the  two 
languages  expreflive  of  the  fame 
ideas )  Mattee*  from  no,  feems  tQ 
be  here  in  point. 

I  wifh  I  had  leifure  and  abilities 
to  enter  more  deeply  into  fuch  an 
inveftigation. 

The  fubjeft  viewed  in  any  light 
whatever  is  not  uninterefting ;  and 
no  argument  in  favour  ©f  the  pri- 
maevity  of  the  Hebrew  language  is 
unimportant.  Refearches  of  this 
nature,  we  underftand,  are  now 
making,  under  the  direction  of  a 
great  princefs,  as  well  as  by  the  af- 
fiduous  care  of  learned  individuals. 
I  am  fully  perfuaded,  that  thefe  re- 
fearches will  terminate  in  fome  new 
difcoveries  tif  the  connection  be- 
tween the  language  of  every  king- 
dom upon  earth,  with  that  prefumed 
to  have  been  fpokea  by  Adam  ancl 
Noah. 

Yours  mod  affectionately, 

G.  H.  Glass, 

QbfcrvaUoju 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


ANTI  QJJ,  I  T  I  E  S. 


Oijeroatum  oh  a  Ptiiut*  i?  Zuccaro, 
Jrom.Lord  Falkland*/  Co) lefiion,  /up- ' 
pofed  to  reprefent  the  Game  of  Pri- 
mero* By  the  Hon.  Daines  Bar- 
ringlon.  Infcribed to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bowie.     From  the  fame  work. 

Inner  Temple,  May  4,  1785. 

1  Conceive  that  the  following  ac- 
count of  a  picture,  which  was 
fold  laft  week  at  Greenwood's  auc- 
tion-room in  Leicefter-fields,  may 
be  interefting  to  the  fociety. 

It  originally  belonged  to  the  great 
and  good  lord  Falkland  5  from  whom 
it  defcended  to  the  late  vifcount  of 
that  title,  who  died  not  long  iince. 

According  to  tradition  in,  the  fa- 
mily, it  was  painted  by  Zuccaro  5 
and  reprefented  lord  Burleigh  play- 
ing at  cards  with  three  other  perfons, 
who,  from  their  drefs,  appear  to  be 
of  diftin&ion,  each  of  them,  having 
two  rings  on  the  fame  fingers  of 
both  their  hands. 

The  cards  are  marked  as  at  pre- 
fcnt,  and  differ  from  thofe  of  more 
modern  times  only  by  being  nar- 
rower and  longer  $  eight  of  thefe 
lie  upon  the  table,  with  the  blank 
fide  uppermoft,  whilft  four  rcunain 
in^each  of  their  hands. 

Other  particulars  deferving  no- 
tice are,  that  one  of  the  players 
exhibits  his  cards,  which  are,,  to  the 
beft  of  my  recollection,  the  knave 
of  hearts,  with  the  ace,  7  and  6 
of  clubs.  There  are  alfo  confider- 
able  heaps  of  jgold  and  filver  on  the 
taole,  fo  that 'thefe  dignified  per- 
fonages  feera  to  have  played  for 
whai  would  not  at  prefent  be  called 
a  chicken  ftake. 

It  fhould  feem,  that  the  game  is 


109  • 

a  Spanifh  one,  called  Primero,  which 
probably  might  have  been  intro- 
duced by  Philip  the  Second,  or  fome 
of  his  fuite,  whilft  he  was  in  Eng- 
land, and  was  much  in  vogue  dur- 
iug  the  reign  of  queen  Elizabeth, 
as  appears  by  the  following  pafTage 
from^Shakefpeare : 

" I  left  him  at  Primero   ' 

«  With  the  duke  of  Suffolk. " 

Henry  VIII.  A&  V.  Sc.  1. 

I  have  taken  fome  pains  to  find 
out  how  this  formerly  favourite  game 
was  played,  and  find  the  following 
account  of  it  in  Duchat's  notes  on 
the  twenty-fecond  chapter  of  the 
firft  book  of  Rabelais,  in  which  all 
the  games,  with  which  Gargantua 
ainufed  himfeif,  are  mentioned, 
amounting  to  nearly  two  hundred, 
and  the  fecond  of  which  is  Pri* 
merv. 

I  fhall  fubjoin  a  tranflation  of 
Duchat's  note  on  this  word,  which 
feems  moft  clearly  to  prove,  that 
Primero  is  the  game  defcribed  in  this 
picture  of  Lord  Falkland's. 

"  Each  player  hath  four  cards, 
"  which  are  dealt  one  by  one;  a 
Jf  feven  is  the  higheft  in  point  of 
"  number,  (which  he  .can  avail 
"  himfeif  of,]  and  counts  for  twen- 
"  ty-one ;  the  next  is  the  fix,  and 
"  counts  for  fixteen;  the  next  is 
"  the  five,  and  counts  for  fifteen ; 
f<  the  ace  reckons  for  the  fame 
u  number',  but  the  duce,  trois,  and 
"  quatre,  count  only  for  their  re- 
"  fpective  number  of  points." 

Duchat  adds,  that  the  knave  of 
hearts  moft  commonly  is  pitched  upon 
for  the  quinola,  which  the  player 
may  make  what  card,  and  of  what 
colour  he  pleafes*  5  if  the  cards  are 


*  Hence  the .  Spanifh   phrafe,  "  efiar  de  quinolaj'  which  fignlfies  the  joining 
different   colours.     See  the  Di&ionary  of  the  Royal  Academy  at  Madrid,  voce 

all 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


lid        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  17^6. 


all  of  different  colours,  the  player 
wins  primero,  and  if  they  are  all 
of  the,  fame  colour,  he  wins  the 
flufli*. 

From  this  outline  of  Primero, 
there  feems  to  be  little  doubt  but 
that  it  is  the  game  which  the  pain- 
ter means  to  defcribe ;  and  that  the 
perfon  exhibiting  his  cards  to  the 
lpe&ators  hath  won  the  Jiut,  flux,  or 
flufh  $  for  his  three  clubs  are  the 
beft  cards  for  counting,  and  his 
knave  of  hearts  may  double  the  beft 
of  tbefe,  whilft  it  alfo  becomes  a 
club,  and  thus  wins  by  the  number 
of  points,  as  well  as  by  the  four 
cards  becoming  a  flulh  of  clubs. 

Whilft  I  have  thus  been,  endea- 
vouring to  explain  this  picture  of 
Zuccaro,  fome  other  obfervations 
have  occurred,  with  regard  to  cards 
in  the  more  early  centuries,  which 
with  the  indulgence  of  the'  fociety 
I  may  poffibly  lay  before  them 
hereafter. 

Daines  BarriNgton. 


leigh  with  three  others  playing  at 
cards  f,  I  have  found  fome  confir- 
mation that  thofe  exhibited  in  the 
hand  of  one  of  thefe  players  relate 
to  Primero  J,  becaufe -the  Sydney 
papers  mention  (  that  queen  Eliza- 
beth formed  a  party  at  this  game 
with  the  Lord  Treafurer,  Mr.  Se- 
cretary, and  the  lord  North. 

I  am  fince  informed  likewife,  that 
this  picture  was  purchafed  by  Mr. 
Bird  of  Hanover-fquare. 

I  proceed  to  give  the  beft  ac- 
count I  am  able  of  the  firft  intrcM 
duction  of  this  paftime  now  become 
fo  general. 

The  earlieft  mention  of  cards  that 
I  have  yet  ftumbled  upon/  is  in  Mr. 
Anftis's  Hiftory  of  the  Garter  ||, 
where  he  cites  the  following  paflage 
from  the  Wardrobe  Rolls,  in  thefixth 
year  of  Edward  the  Firft. 

"  Waltero  Sturton  ad  opus  regis 
ad  ludendum  ad  quatuor  reges  viii  s. 
vd.  ^[ "  from  which  entry  Mr.  An- 
ilis  with  fome  probability  conjee-- 
tures,  that  playing-card*  were  not  un- 
known at  the  latter  end  of  the  thir- 
teenth century  j  and  perhaps  what 
I  fhall  add  may  carry  with  it  fome 
fmall  confirmation  of  what  he  thus 
fuppofes. 

Edward  the  Firft  (when  prince  of 
Wales)  ferved  nearly  five  years  in 
Syria,  and  therefore,  whilft  mili- 
tary operations  were  fufpended, 
muft  naturally  have  wifhed  fome 
fedentary  amufements.  Now  the 
Afiatics  fcarcely  ever  change  their 


Obf  rvationt  on  the  Antiquity  of  Card- 
playing  in  England,  by  the  hon. 
Daines  Barring  ton.  Infcribed  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Bowie.  From  the 
fame  work. 

SINCE  the  laft  paper  which  I 
had  the  honour  to  lay  before 
the  fociety,  giving  fome  account  of 
a    picture   reprefenting    lord   Bur- 

•  The  Spanifh  term  is- "  flux,"  which  fignifies  the  fame  with  our  word  jhtjb, 
and  w^ich,  when  applied  to  cards,  imports  that  they  are  all  of  the  fame  colour:  X 
in  that  language,  moreover,  hath  the  power  of  Jb>  or  nearly  fo. 

f  See  the  preceding  article. 

I  This  ancient  game  is  fometimes  written  Primera. 

J  Sydney  Papers,  vol.  I.  p.  154* 
Vol.  II.  p.  307. 
^f  This  cntiy  feems  to  have  been  communicated  to  Mr.  Anftis.  by  fome  other 
penon. 

cuftoms } 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


A  N  T  I  QJJ  I  T  I  E  S. 


tuftoras  \  and,  as  they  play  at  cards 
(though  in  many  refpe&s  different 
from  ours  *)  it  is  not  improbable 
that  Edward  mighthave  been  taught 
the  game,  ad quatuor  re  get,  whilft  he 
continued  fo  long  in  this  part  of  the 
globe. 

If,  however,  this  article  in  the 
wardrobe  account  is  not  allowed  to 
allude  to  playing  cards,  the  next 
writer  who  mentions  the  more  early 
introduction  of  them  is  P.  Menef- 
trier  f,  who,  from  ,fuch  another  ar- 
ticle in  the  privy  purfe  expences  of 
the  kings  of  France,  fays,  that  they 
were  provided  for  Charles  the  Sixth 
by  his  limner,  after  that  king  was 
deprived  of  his  fenfes  in  1392. — 
The.  entry  is  the  following,  "  Donne 
"  a  Jacquemin  Gringonneur,  Pein- 
<f  tre,  pour  trots  jeux  de  Cartes, 
**  a  or  et  a  diverfes  couleurs,  de 
u  plufieurs  devifes,  pour  porter 
<s  vers  le  dit  Seigneur  Roi  pour  fon 
"abatement,  cinquante  fix  fols 
*•  Parifis." 

I  muft  own,  that  I  have  fome 
doubts  whether  this  entry  really  re- 
lates to  flaying  cards,  though  it  is 
admitted  that  (rots  jeux  de  cartes 
would  now  fignify  three  packs  of 
cards.  The  word  jeu  however  had 
anciently  a  more  extenfive  import 
than  at  preient,  and  Cotgrave  in 
his  dictionary  applies  it  to  a  ckrft 
of  violins,  jtu  de  violons.    I  there- 


III 

fore  rather  Conceive  tnat  the  trots, 
deux  de  cartes ;,  in  this  article,  meant 
three  fets  of  illuminations  upon  pa- 
per) carte  originally  fignifying  no 
more  J. 

if  this  be  the  right  interpretation 
of  the  terms,  we  fee  the  reafon  why 
Gringonneur,  limner  to  Charles  VI. 
was' employed,  and  thefe  three  fets 
of  illuminations  would  entertain 
the  king  during  his  infanity  by  their 
'  variety,  as  three  fets  of  wooden 
.  prints  would  now  amufe  a  child  bet- 
ter than  one;  whilft  on  the  other 
hand  one  pack  of  cards  would  have 
been  fufficient  for  a  mad  king, 
who  probably  would  tear  them  in 
pieces  upon  the  firft  run  of  bad 
luck. 

How  this  fame  king  moreover 
was  to  be  taught  or  could  play  a 
game  at  cards  whilft  he  was  out  of 
his  fenfes  is  not  very  apparent;  and 
the  phyfician,  who  permitted  fhch 
amufement  to  his  majefty,  feems  not 
to  have  considered  the  ill  confe- 
quence  to  his  health  by  lofles  at 
play,  which  fo  much  inflame  the 
paflions.  Some  ftrefs  likewife  may 
be  laid  upon  this  entry  not  being 
followed  by  another  ||  of  money  i(- 
fued  to  the  winners,  as  there  feems ' 
to  be  little  doubt,  but  that  his  ma- 
jefty  in  this  ftate  of  mind  mull  have 
been,  in  modern  terms,  a  pigean  to 
his  hawks  of  courtiers. 


*  For  their  paftimes  within  doors  they  have  cards  differing  from  ours  in  the 
"  figures  and  number  of  fuits."     Pietro  della  Valle. 

Niehbur  (in  his  Travels)  alfo  mentions  the  ufe  of  Chiriefe  cards,  p.  139,  and 
fays,  that  the  Arabians  call  this  amufement  Lab-el-kamer.  We  have  chels  like* 
wife  from  the  Afiatics. 

•f  Bibliotlieque  InftrucYive  et  Curieufe. 

J  Paper  alfo  in  the  fourteenth  century  was  a  modem  invention. 

||  Our  worthy  member  Mr*  Orde  hath  lately  favoured  me  with  the  peaifal  of 
Henry  the  Seventh's  private  expences,  by  which  it  appears  that  money  wa»  iflued 
at  three  feveral  times  tor  his  lofles  at  cards. 

Another 
4 


>igitfced 


by  Google 


ii2  ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


Another  obfervation  to  be  made 
.  upon  this  entry  is,  that  the  year 
1392  cannot  be  juftly  fixed  upon  as 
the  date  of  this  invention,  for  though 
Charles  the  Sixth  loft  his  fenfes  at 
that  time,  yet  he  lived  thirty  years 
afterward,  fo  it  will  not  be  fair  to 
fuppofe  thefe  cards  were  made  the 
firft  year  of  his  phrenfy,  but  to  take 
the  middle  year  of  thefe  thirty, 
which  would,  bring  it  to  1407.  At 
that  time,  indeed,  this  amufement 
feems  to  have  become  more  general, 
as  in  J  426*  no  perfon  was  permit- 
ted to  have  in  their  houfe  "  tabliers, 
*c  efcbiquiers,  quarters"  &c.  which 
laft  word  I  conclude  to  be  the  fame 
with  cartes  or  cards -\. 

1$  feems  moreover  to  afford  a 
ftrong  prefumption  againft  Mr.  An- 
ftis's  explanation  of  the  game  ad 
quatuor  reges  (known  to  our  Edward 
the  Firft,)  that  cards  are  not  allud- 
ed to  by  fuch  an  article  in  the  ward- 
robe rolls,  becaufe  we  hear  nothing 
about  them,  either  in  Rymer's  Foe- 
dera,  or  our  ftatute  book,  till  to- 
wards the  latter  end  of  the  reign  of 
Henry  VIII  J. 

This  fort  of  amufement,  how- 
ever, was  not  unknown  to  the  court 
at  leaft  of  Henry  VII.  for  in  the 
year  1502,  when   the  daughter  of 


that  king  was  married  to  James  the 
Foufth  of  Scotland,  fhe  played  at 
cards  foon  after  her  arrival  at  Edin- 
burgh j|. 

Cards  had  ajfo  found  their  to 
into  Spain  about  the  fame  time;  fo: 
Herrera  mentions  §,  that  upon  the 
conqueft  of  Mexico  (which  happen- 
ed in  15 19,)  Montezuma  took  gra; 
pleafure  in  feeing  the  Spaniards  thui 
amuling  themfelves. 

And  here  it  may  not  \s6  improper 
to  obferve,  that  if  the  Spaniards 
were  not  the  firft  inventors  of  cari 
(which  at  leaft  I  conceive  themo 
have  been,)  we  owe  to  them  na- 
doubtedly  the  game  of  ombre  (witi 
its  imitations  of  quadrille,  kt\ 
which  obtained  fo  long  through^ 
Europe    till    the    introduction  0; 

The  very  name  of  this  game  is 
Spanifh,  as  ombre  Signifies  a  man 
and  when  we  now  fay  /  am  the** 
bre,  the  meaning  is,  that  I  am* 
man  who  defy  the  other  players,  iti 
will  win  the'ftake.  The  terms  fo; 
the  principal  cards  are  alfo  Spaniik 
viz.  Spadill,  Manill,  Bafto,  Punto, 
Matadors,  &c.  +f. 

"  The  four  fuits  are  named  rroa 
what  is  chiefly  reprefented  upo- 
them,    viz.  fpades;    from  effati,  * 


*  Monftrelet  in  anno—  Meneftrier  is  alfo  quoted  for  a  fynod  held  at  Langres, ';« 
which  the  clergy,  are  forbid  the  uie  of  cards  fo  early  as  1404. 

f  Ludus  chartaceus  quartarum  feu  chartarum.     Junius  in  Etymologico. 

X  Whilft  I  am  correcting  this  page  for  the  prefs,  Mr.  Nichols  (printer to: • 
fociety)  hath  referred  me  to  4  Edw.  IV.  Rot. Pari.  Membr. VI.  where  pleymgeatb 
are  enumerated  amongft  feveral  other  articles,  which  are  not  to  be  imported,  t 
1540,^  Henry  VIII.  giants  the  office  cuftodis  I  u  do  rum  in  Calefia,  amongft  wlii 
games  cards  are  enumerated.     Rymer  in  anno. 

They  are  firft  forbid  in  Scotland  by  an  acl  only  of  James  the  Sixth* 

||  Appendix  to  the  third  volume  of  Iceland's  Collectanea,  p.  284. 

§  Dec.  2.  c.  8. 

*#  This  word  indeed  is  moll  commonly  written  ivbifi. 

•ft  To  thefe  I  may  add  many  others— as  the  being  codiird  from  codilh-^' 
winning  the  pool  from  folia,  which  fignifies  the  ftake — The  term  of  trumps  tr£ 
the  Spanifli  m'ar/0/0— as  alfo  the  term  of  the  ace,  which  pervades  mod  huroptf 
languages,  the  Spanifli  word  for  this  card  being  as. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


AN  T  I  QJJ  I  T  I  ES. 


fword  j  htarti  are. called  on**,  from 
a  piece  of  money  being  on  each 
card;  clubs,  bajips,  ixom  a  ftick  or 
club)  and  diamonds ,  copas,  from  the 
cups  painted  on*  them.  ' 

The  Spanifli  packs  confift  but  of 
forty-eight,  having  no  ten,'  which 
probably  hath/Jbeen  added  by  the 
r  rench,  or  perhaps  Italians  f. 

The  king  is  a  man  crowned  as  in 
our  .cards  5  but  the  next  in  degree 
is  a  perfon  on  horfeback  named  el 
cabalh,  nor  have  they  any  queen. -^ 
The  third  (or. knave  with  us)  is 
tetmed  foto  (or  the  footman)  being 
inferior  to  die  horfeman. 

Another  capital  game  on  the 
cards  (piquet)  we  teem  to  have 
adopted  from  Spain,  as  well  as  om- 
bre, it  having  been  thence  intro- 
duced into  France1  about  140  years 
ago;  The  French  term  of  piquet 
hath  no  fignification  but  that  of  a 
,  little  axe,  and  therefore  is  not  taken 
from  any  thing  which  is  remarkable 
in  this  game;  whereas  the  Spaniih 
.name  of  cientos  (or  a  hundred)  aK 


113 

Indies  to  the  number  of  points  which 
win' the  ftakej. 

Upon  the  whole,  the  Spaniards 
having  given  fignificant  terms  to 
their  cards,  the  figures  of  which 
they  ftill  retain,  as  well  as  being 
the  acknowledged  introducers  .of 
ombre,  feera  to  give  them  the  bell  * 
pretentions  ^  of  being  the  original 
inventors  of*  this  amufemerit.  •  If 
they  had  borrowed  cards  from  the 
French,  furely  they  would  at  the 
lame  time  have  adopted  their  names 
and  figures,  as  well  as  their  prin- 
cipal games  from  that  nation  |]/ 
which  on  the  contrary  (in  ombre  and 
piquet  at  leaft)  have  been  introduced 
from  Spain. 

Nor  do  other  reafons  feem  want- 
ing why  the.  Spaniards  mould  have 
excelled  in  card-playing  before  tho 
other  nations  of  Europe. 

I  have  already  proved  )y.  a  cita* 
tion  from  Herrera,  that  in  15 19 
Montezuma  was  much  entertained 
in  feeing  the  Spaniih  foldiers  play 
at  cards  when  they  were  firH  in  pof* 


*  The  Venetians  ftill  life  the  Spaniih  cards,  retaining  the  Spa.niih  terms,  except 
that  of  oros,  which  they  render  denari,  fignifying  equally  pieces  of  money* 

•f-  Our  learned  member  (Dr.  Douglas)  hath,  been  fo  obliging  as  to  refer  me  to  a 
mii'ceilaiKJOus  work  of  Mr.  Du  Four,  entitled  Longueruana  j  in  wlncji  the,  writer 
fays,  he  had  feen  fome  ancient  Italian  cards  feven  or  eight  inches  long,  in  which 
the  pope  was  reprelented,  and  from  thence  (though  a  Frenchman)  afcribes  the  in- 
vention of  cards  tothe  Italians.  This  is,  however,  a  mere  ipje  dixit,  without  any 
other  fact  or  argument. 

*  Another  of  owr  learned'  members  (Dr.'Woitie)  refers  me  to  a  German  "^publi- 
cation by  Mr.  Breithoff,  in  which  he  cites  an  authority,  that  cards  were  ui'ed  in 
Germany  fo  early  as  A.  D.  1100,  having  been  brought  from  Arabia  or  India. 

Our  late  worthy  member  (Mr.  TutetJ  hath  alfo  been  fo  obliging  as  to  mew  me 
fome  antieht  cards  which  belonged  to  Div  Stukeley,  and  which  were  nearly  "of  an 
equal  length  "to  thofe /defcribed  by  Mr.  Du  Four.  The  "pack,  however,  was  far 
from  complete,  and  therefore  little  could  be  inferred  from  them.  This  was  alfo  the 
cafe  with  the  pack  of  Italian  cards  mentioned  by  Mr.  Du  Four. 

\  See  Du  Gnat's  notes  on  that  chapter  of  Rabelais,  in  which  Pantagruel  is  fyid 
•to  have  played  at  ib  many  games.  •. 

Sainttoix  (in  his  Eflays  on  the  Antiquities  of  Paris)  informs  fls,  that  a  dance 
was  performed  on  the  French  theatre  in  1676,  taken  from  the  game  of  piquet. 

||  The  old  Spanifh  term  for  cards  is  naipe,  which  Covarruvias  fufpecTs  to  be  of 
Arabic  origin  :  certainly  it  hath  not  the  moft  diltant  affinity  to-  the  French  c#rte. ' 


Vol.  XXVIIL 


feflio* 


•Digitized  by  VjOO( 


i!4        A  N  NUAL.REGI  STER,  1786. 


feflion  of  Mexico,  which  fhews  that 
thb  amufement  muft  have  for  forae 
time  previous  been  rather  common 
in  Old  Spain.*  Now  Charles  the 
Fifth  fucceeded  to  the  crown  of  that 
kingdom  in  15 18,  as  well  as  to 
the  new  conmierts  and  treafures  o£ 
.  the  Wetlern  India,  whilft  his  other 
moft  extenfive  dominions  made  his 
monarchy  nearly  univerfal.  France 
at  the  fame  time  was  at  the  loweit 
ebb,  their  king  having  been  taken 
prifoner  at  the  battle  of  Pa  via  in 
1^524.  It  is  not  therefore  extraor- 
dinary, that  the  country  in  which 
fo  great  riches  and  luch  extenfive 
territories  were  united,  ihould  have 
produced  the  greateft  number  of 
games  and  gameftcrs. 

It  ihould  feem  that  England  hath 
no  pretence  to  enter  the  lifts  with 
Spain  or  France  for  the  invention  of 
cards,  unlefs  Edward  the  Firft  hav- 
ing played  at  quatuor  re^a  Ihould  be 
fo  considered ;  and  I  have  already 
iuggefled,  that  the  finding  nothing 
further  relative  to  this  paflime  till 
1502  f  affords  a  ftrong  prefumption 
that  the  quatuor  reges  were  not  play- 
ing cards  J. 

During  the  reigns  of  Henry  VIII. 
and  Edward  VI.  this  amufement 
feems  not  to  have  been'  very  com- 
mon in/  England,    as  fcarcely "  any 


-mention  of  it  occurs  either  in  Ry- 
mer's  Fcedera  or  the  ftatute-book||. 
It  is  not  improbable,  however,  that 
Philip  the  Second,  with  his  fuite, 
coming  from  the  court  of  Charles 
the  Fifth,  made  the  ufe  of  cards 
much  more  general  than  it  had  been, 
of  which  fome  prefumptive  proof* 
are  not  wanting. 

We  name  two  of  the  fuits  clubt 
and  Jpades,  when  neither  of  thofe 
fuits  in  the  common  cards  anfwer  at 
all  fuch  appellation.  If  the  Spaniih 
cards,  however,  are  examined  (which 
I  have  the  honour  of  prefenting  to 
the  fociety,)  it  will  be  found  that 
each  card  hath  a  real  club  in  the  firft 
of  thefe  fuits,  and  a  real  fword,  ef- 
pada  (rendered  by  us  fpade),  in  the 
fecond. 

There  feems  to  be  little  doubt, 
therefore,  but  that  the  cards  ufed 
"during  the  reign  of  Philip  and  Ma- 
ry, and  probably  the  more  early 
part  of  queen  Elizabeth,  were  Spa- 
niih §,  though  they  were  afterwards 
changed  for  the  French  *  being  of  a 
more  iimple  figure,  and  more  eafily 
imported.  -It  appears  indeed  by  a 
proclamation  of  this  queen,  as  alf6 
of  her  fucceilbf  %,  that  we  did  not 
then  make  many  cards  in  Eng- 
land, though  the  amufement  had 
become  fo  general  in  the  reign  of 


#  to  1584.  a  book  was  publifhed  at  Salamanca,  entituled,  Remedio  de  Juga- 
dores. 

f  When  James  the  Fourth  played  with  his  deftined  confort  at  Edinburgh. 

%  The  figured  cards,  as  king,  queen,  and  knave,  were  fometimes  called  coatr 
and  not  court  cards  as  at  prefent.  The  knave  probably  was  the  prinfetheir  fon,  as 
Chaucer  twice  applies  the  term  knave  child  to  the  fon  of  a  fovereign  prince.  The 
feme  may  be  obierved  with  regard  to  valet  in  French.  See  De  la  Koyne*s  nobleffe, 
and  Dm  Frefne,  in  voce  valet tus. 

||  See  however  ante,  p.  J 12,  note  f. 

§  Philip  alfo  introduced  the  Spaniih  drefs  and  mufic,  at  leaft  there  is  a  foimettf 
Sir  Philip  Sydney's,  which  is  to  the  air  of  "  Se  tu  Senora  no  dueles  demi,"  and 
which  therefore  muft  have  been  a  nine  in  vogue.  ,  j 

^  See  a  Collection  pf  Proclamations  in  the  library  of  the  fociety,  vol.  Ill* 
p.  5$  mod  vol IV.  p.  31. 

king 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


AKTI  CLU  I  T  I  E  S. 


king  James,  that  the  audience  at 
the  play-houfes  ufed  thus  to  divert 
themfelves  before  the  play  be- 
gan *.  • 

But  J  have  been  furnifhed  by  our 
-worthy  and  learned  member  (Mr. 
Aftle)  with  a  ffill  more  decifive 
proof  that  cards  were  originally 
made  in  Spain,  which  I  fend  here- 
with for  the  infpe&ion  of  the  fo- 
ciety. 

[  *tbn  tvas  an  imprejjion  from  a  jflock 
of  wood,  and  undoubtedly  the  ewer  of 
a  pack  of  cards.  The  infer  iff  ion  upon 
it  is  asjollofws:] 

"  Cartas  finnas  fai&es  par  Je 
(Xuppofed  contraction  for  Jean  or 
John]}  Hauvola  y  (Edward  War- 
man)*  the  laft  name  having  been  in- 
ferted  in  a  new  piece  of  wood,  laid 
into  the  original  block." 

The  firft  words  of  this  inferip^ 
,  tion,  viz.  cartas  finnas  {fuperfine 
cards)  are  Spanifh,  which  are  fol- 
lowed by  two  of  French,  viz.) 
Jaicles  par9  or  made  by)  Jean  Hau- 
vola, y  {y  is  generally  ufed  in  Spa- 
nifh for  the  conjunction  and),  and 
the  two  laft  words,  viz..  bdward 
War  man,  were  not  in  the  block  of 
wood,  when  firft  cut  into. 

The  whole  of  this  infeription, 
being  rendered  into  Englifh,  rims 
thus : 

"  Superfine  cards  made  by  John 
Hauvola,  and  (Edward  Warman)," 
the  laft  name  being  an  addition  in 
the  room  of  John  Hauvola's  firft 
partner. 

Now  I  conceive  that  this  adver- 
tifement  was  ufed  by  a  card-maker 
refident  in  France,  who  notified  the 
wares  he  had  to  fell  in  the  Spanifh 
terms  of  cartas  fnnas \  or  fuperfine 
cards,  becaufe  thofe  which  had  .been 


115 

made  in  Spain  at  that  time  were  in 
the  greateft  vogue. 

The  two  words  which  follow  are 
French,  {/aides  par,  or  made  by,) 
whiqh  were  probably  in  that  lan- 
guage, that  the  French  reader  might 
more  readilv  underftand  the  adver- 
tifement,  than  if  the  whole,  was  in 
Spanifh.  Thus  a  London  fhop- 
keeper  would  write  on  his  fhop  in 
Englifli  that  he,  fold  'vermicelli, 
though  he  retains  the  Italian  term 
of  vermicelli  (or  little  worms)  for  th« 
ware  he  wants  to  difpofe  of. 

But  this  is  not  the  whole  that  may 
be  inferred  from  this  curious  cover, 
for  at  each  corner  are  the  figures 
from  which  the  four  fuits  of  cards 
are,  denominated  in  Spain,  viz.  cups, 
fwords,  dubs,  and  pieces  of  money,. 
whilft  at  the  top  are  the  arms  of  Caf- 
tille  and  Leon. 

It  feem6  fairly  therefore  td  be  in- 
ferred from  the  fuperfcription  on 
this  cover,  that  cards  could  not  be 
then  difpofed  of  to  advantage  in 
France,  unlefs  there  was  fome  ap- 
pearance of  their  having  been  ori- 
ginally brought  from  Spain,  where 
being  firft  invented  they  were  pro- 
bably made  in  greater  perfe&iom 

I  begin  to  be  fenfible,  that  what 
I  have  thus  ventured  to  lay  before 
the  fociety  on  the  firft  invention  of 
cards  is  rather  become  of  an  unrea- 
fonable  length  5  from  their  ^ponted 
goodnefs  to  me,  however,  I  will 
trefpafs  a  little  longer  upon  their 
time,  by  adding  fome  few  obferva- 
tions,  which  have  occurred  with 
regard  to  fome  of  the  games  which 
formerly  had  obtained  the  greateft 
,  vogue. 

Primerof  (undoubtedly  a  Spa- 
nifh   game)    feems   to   have  been 


#  Mr.  Malory's  Supplemental  Obfervations  on  Shakefpeare,  p.  31. 

+ ,  F'alftatf  coroplaim  that  he  never  had  any  luck  fince  he  forfworeJ^Wr*. 


'Digitized  by G00gle 


ii$        ANNUAL   REGISTER,   1786. 

chiefly  played  by  our  gentry  till 
perhaps  as  late  as  the  Re  iteration. 
Many  other  games,  however,  are 
mentioned  in  Dodfley's  Collection 
©f  Old  Plays,  as  "  Gleek,  Crimp, 
Mount-Saint,  Noddy,  Knave  out  of 
Doors,  Saint  Lodam,  Poft  and  Pair, 
Wide  Ruff,  aud  Game  of  Trumps." 
To  Primero  the  game  of  Ombre 
iucceeded,  and  was  probably  in- 
troduced by  Catharine"  of  Portugal, 
the  queen  of  Charles  the  Second,  as 
Waller  bath  a  poem 


wOoa  card  torn  at  Ombre  by  the  queen." 

It  likewife  continued  to  be  in 
vogue  for  fome  time  in  the  prefent 
century,  for  it  is  Belinda's  game  in 
the  Rape  of  the  Lock,  where  every 
incident  in  the  whole  deal  is  fo  de- 
fcribed,  that  when  ombre  is  for- 
gotten (and  it  is'  almoft  fo  already) 
it  may  be  revived  with  pofterity  from 
that  mod  admirable  poem  *. 

1  remember  moreover  »to  have 
fcen  three-cornered  tables  in  houfes 
which  had  old  furniture,  and. which 
were  made  purpofely  for  this  game, 
the  number  of  players  being  only 
three.  -~ 

Quadrille  (a  fpecies  of  ombre) 
obtained  a  vogue  upon  the  difufe  of 
the  latter,  which  it  maintained  till 


Whl&  was  introduced,  which  iwrtP 
prevails  not  only  in  England,  but 
in  rnoft  of  the   cmlifed  part9   of 

Europe. 

If  it  may  not  be  pofflbly  fuppofed 
that  the  game  of  trump*  (which  I 
have  before  taken  notice  of,  as  al- 
luded to  in  one  of  the  old  plays 
contained  in  Dodfley's  Cblie&ion) 
is  Whilk,  I  rather  conceive  that  the 
firft  mention  of  that  game  is  to  be 
found  in  Farquhar's  Beaux  Strata- 
gem, which  was  written  in  the  very 
beginning  \  of  the  prefent  century. 
It  was  then  played  with  what  were 
caWed/vvMers  +,  which  were  pof- 
fibly  fo  termed,  becaufe  they,  who 
had  certain  cards  in  their  hand,  were 
entitled  to  take  up  a  ihare  of  the 
ftake,  independent  of  the  general 
event  of  the  game  ||.  The  fortunate, 
therefore,  clearing  the  board  of  this 
extraordinary  ftake,  might  be  com- 
pared by  feamen  to  \\\cj*vabbers  (or 
cleaners  of  the  deck)  in  which  fenfe 
the  term  is  ftill  ufed. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  <whtjk  feems 
never  to  have  been  played  upon 
principles  tiil  about  fifty  years  ago, 
when  it  was  much  ftudied  by  a  let 
of  gentlemen  who  frequented  the 
Crown  coftee-houfe  in  Bedford- 
row  § :    before^  that   time   it    was 


L 


*  As  for  the  game  at  chefs  in  Vida's  Latin  poems,  I  never  could  follow  it,  af- 
ter line .2  20,  when  feveral  pawns  are  taken  on  each  fide  without  being  particularifed. 
The  Latin  however  cannot  be  to*  much  admired  of  this  elegant  poem,  nor  the  dt- 
icriptioii  of  many  moves. 

f  In  16614  a  book  was  publifhed,  entituled,  The  Compleat  Gamejler,  which  takes* 
no  notice  of  ivbifk,  though  it  does  of  ombre  and  piquet. 

%  ls  The  clergyman  ufed  to  play  at  whiflc  and  fwabbers.'*     Swift. 

||  Swabbers  therefore  much  refemble  the  taking  up  pnrt  of  the  (lake  for  the  aces 
,at  quadrille,  and  are  properly  tanifhed  from  a  game  ot  fo  much  flcill  as  whilk,  be- 
caufe they  are  apt  to  divert  the  player's  attention. 

§  I  have  this  information  from  a  gentleman  who  is  now  eighty-fix  ytars  of  age. 
*  ''The  firft  lord  Folkftone  was  another  of  this  let. 

They  laid  down  the  following  rules : ' 
»  To  play  from  tlie  ftrongeft  fuit,  to  'ftudy  your  partner's  hand  as  much  as  your 
own,  uever  to  fwee  your  partner  uuneceffarily,  and  to  attend  to  the  fcore. 

4  chiefly 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ANTIQUITIES.  117 

chiefly  confined  to  the  fervants'  hall  what  I  have  thus  laid  before  the  fo- 

with  all-fours  and  put.  ciety  may  intereftfuture  antiquaries. 

Perhaps,  as  games  are  fubjed  to  If  it  fhould,  my  trouble  in  corapil- 

revolutions,  whiik  may  be  as  much  ing  this  diftertation  will  be  fully  an- 

forgot  in  the  next  century  as  Pri-  fwered. 
mcro  is  at  prefent ;  in  fuch  cafe,  ' 


1 3  fttKCEL 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


[    "8"  ] 


MISCELLANEOUS  ESSAYS. 


9 Yhe  boti>aths  ufedoveY  all  Egypt,  and 
the  manner  of  bathingdefcribed\  with 
observations  on  thebt  ?ufits  arijingfrom 
them  ;  on  the  pradice  of  the  women 
who  bathe  once  or  twice  a  week  ;  and 
comparifons  between  thefe  baths  and 
thofe  of  the  ancient  Greeks.  — 
From  Monfieur  Savary  /  Letters  on 

Egypt. 

Grand  Cairo. 
«  rTHHE  hot  baths,  known  in  the 
X    remoteft  ages,  and  celebrated 
by  Homer,  who  Daints  the  manners 
of  his  times,  have  here  ^referved 
all  their  allurements  and  falubrity ; 
neceffity  has  rendered  them  com- 
mon   in  a  country   where  perfpi- 
xation  is  abundant;    and  pleafure 
ha*  preferred  the  practice.     Maho- 
met, who   knew  their  utility,  has 
made  the  ufe  of  them  a  religious 
precept.     They  have  been  fuperfi- 
;d  by  moll  travellers; 
►it  I  am  in  of  frequent- 
\  given  me  leifure  to 
11  attentively,  I  fliall 
be  more  particular  and 

apartment  at    enter- 


ing t^ie  bath  is  a  great  chamber, 
in  the  form  of  a  rotunda,  with  an 
open  roof,  to  let  the  pure  air  cir- 
culate freely.  A  fpacious  alcove 
carpeted  is  carried  round,  and  di- 
vided into  compartments,  in  which 
the  bathers  leave  their  clothes/  In 
the  centre  is  a  fountain,  which  plays 
into  a  refervoir,  and  has  a  pleating 
erred. 

When  undreffed  a  napkin  is  tied 
round  the  middle ;  fandals  are  put 
on,  and  a  narrow  paffage  is  entered, 
where  the  heat  firft  begins  to  be 
felt;  the  door  {huts,  and  twenty 
paces  further  a  fecond  opens,  which 
is  the  entrance  to  a  paifage  at  right 
angles  with  the  firft.  Here  the  heat 
augments,  and  thofe  who  fear  to 
expofe  themfelves  too  fuddenly  to  its 
effects  ftop  fome  time  in  a  marble 
hall  before  they  enter.  The  bath 
itfelf  is  a  fpacious  vaulted  chamber, 
paved  and  lined  with  marble;  be- 
tide it  are  four  fmall  rooms  :  a 
vapour  continually  rifes  from  a 
fountain  and  clftern  of  hot  water, 
with '  which  the  burnt  perfumes 
mingle +. 

The  bathers  are  not,  as  in  France, 


1  the  baths  of  the  principal  cities  of  Egypt ;  they  are  all  made  on 

fcJdom  differing,  except  in  fize  5  thus  an  exact'  description  of  one 

others. 

are  only  burnt  when  it  is  the  defire  of  the  perfons  bathing.  .  By 

he  vapour  they  produce  a  moft  agreeable  effect. 

'imprifoned 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


MISCELLANEOUS    ESSAYS.       119 


imprifoned  in  a  kind  of  tub,  where 
the  body  cannot  reft  at  its  eale ;  but, 
reclining  on  a  lpread  meet,  and  the 
head  fupported  on  a  i'mall  pillow, 
they  freely  take  what  pofture  they 
pleafe,  while  clouds  of  odoriferous 
vapours  envelope  and  penetrate 
every  pore. 

Having  repofed  thus  fome  time, . 
a  gentle  moifture  diftules  itfelf  over 
the  body;  a  fervant  comes,  gently 
prefles  and  turns  the  bather,  and 
when  the  limbs  are  flexible,  makes 
the  joints  crack  without  trouble ; 
then  ntajps* ,  and  feems  to  knead  the 
body  without  giving  the  flighteil 
fenfation  of  pain. 

This  done  he  puts  on  a  fluff  glove 
and  continues  rubbing  long,  and 
freeing  the  ikin  of  the  patient, 
which  is  quite  wet,  from  every  kind 
of  fcaly  obstruction,  and  all  imper- 
ceptible particles  that  clog  the 
pores,  till  it  becomes  as  fmooth 
as  fatin  5  he  then  conducts  the  ba- 
ther into  a  cabinet,  pours  a  lather 
of  perfumed  foap  on  the  head,  and 
retires. 

The  ancients  honoured  the i  rguefts 
flill  more,  and  treated  them  after 
a  more  voluptuous  manner.  While 
Telemachus  was  at  the  court  of 
Neftor  f,    "   the    beauteous    Poly- 


cafte,  youngelt  of  the  daughters  of 
the  king  of  Pylos,  led  the  ion  of 
Ulyilcs  to  the  bat>.,  warned  him 
with  her  own  hands,  and,  having 
rubbed  his  body  with  precious  oint- 
ments, clothed  him  in  rich  garments 
and  a  mining  mantle/'  Nor  were. 
Pifiitratus  and  Telemachus  worfe 
treated  iri  the  pajace  of  Menelaus}, 
the  beauties  of  which  having  ad- 
mired, "  they  were  conducted  to 
marble  baions,  in  which  the  bath 
was  prepared,  -  where  beauteous 
ilaves  wathed  them,  rubbed  them 
with  odorous  oils,  and  clothed  them 
in  fine  garments,  and  magnificent 
furred  robes§." 

The  room  into  which  -the  bather 
retires  has  two  water  cocks,  one  for 
cold,  the  other  for  hot  water ;  and 
he  waihes  himfelf.  The  attendant 
prefently  returns  with*  a  depilatory 
pomatum)),  which  infbntly  eradi- 
cates hair  wherever  applied.  It  is 
in  general  ufe  both  with  men  and 
women  in  Egypt. 

Being  well  walhed  and  purified, 
the  bather  is  wrapped  up  in  hot 
linen,  and  follows  his  guide  through 
variQUs  windings  which  lead  to  the 
outward  apartment,  wuile  this  in- 
fenSible  transition  f*om  heat  to  cold 
prevents  all  Jaconvenience^f .     Be- 


*  Majfer  comes  from  the  Arabic  verb  mattes f  which  Signifies  to  touch  lightly. 

t  OdyOey,  Book  III. 

t  Odyffey,  Book  IV. 

§  I  translate  t«c  words  ^X«Jra?  fox*?  (Shaggy  mantles)  furred  ix>bes,  though  I 
am  fenfibb  no  tranllator  has  16  rendered  them,  becauie  it  Items  to  me  the  pott  in- 
tended to  defcribe  a  cuftom  which  ftill  remains  in  the  Eah\  of  covering  the  bather 
with  furred  garments  when  he  leaves  the  hot  bath,  to  prevent  a  ltoppage  of  per- 
fpiration,  at  a  time  wlSen  the  pores  are  exceedingly  open. 

||  Made  from  a  mineral  called  rufma>  of  a  dark  brown  colour.  The  Egyptians 
give  it  a  .flight  burning,  then  add  an' equal  quantity  ot  flack,  lime,  and  knead  them 
up  with  water.  This  grey  pafle  will  make  the  hair  fall  off  in  three  minutes,  with- 
out giving  the  flighted  pain. 

^  Delicate  people  ftopiome  time  in  the  chamber  next  the  bath,  that  they  .may 
fed  no  inconvenience  by  going  too  fuddenly  into  the  air.  The7 pore*  being  ex- 
ceedingly open,  they  keep  themfelves  warm  all  day,'  tnd  in  winter  ftay  within 
doors. 

1 4  *  ing 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


icq       ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

ing  come  to  the  alcove,  a  bed  is 
ready  prepared,  on  which  the  perfon 
no  fooner  lies  down  than  a  boy  comes, 
and  begins  to  prefs  with  his  delicate 
hands  all  parts  of  the  body,  in  order 
to  dry  them  perfectly  :  the  linen  is 
once  more  changed,  and  the  boy 
gently  rubs  the  callous  ikin  of  the 
feet  with  pumice-ftone,  then  brings 
a  pipe  and  Moka  coffee*. 

Coming  from  a  bath  filled  with 
hot  vapour,  in  which  exceffive  per- 
foration bedewed  every  limb,  into 
1  a  fpacious  apartment  and  the  open 
air,  the  lungs  expand '  and  refpire 
pleafure :  well  kneaded,  and  as 
it  were  regenerated,  the  blood  cir- 
culates freely,  the  body  feels  a 
voluptuous  eafe,  a  flexibility  till 
then  unknown,  a  lightnefs  as  if  re- 
lieved from  fpme  enormous  weight, 
and  the  man  almoft  fancies  him- 
felf  newly  born,  and  beginning  flrft 
to  live.  A  glowing  confcioufhefs 
of  exrftence  diffufes  itfelf  to  the 
very  extremities;  and,  while  thus 
yielding  to  the  mod  delightful  fen- 
erations, ideas  of  the  moft  pleafing 
kind  pervade  and  fill  the  foul  -}  the 
imagination  wanders  through  worlds' 
which  itfelf  embellifhes,  every  where 
drawing  pictures  of  happinefs  and 
delight.  If  life  be  only  a  fucceflion 
of  ideas,  the  vigour,  the  rapidity, 
with  which  the  memory  then  re- 
traces all  the  knowledge  of  the  man, 


would  lead  us  to  believe  that  the  tw# 
hours  of  delicious  calm  which  fuc- 
ceed  bathing  are  an  age. 

Such,  Sir,  are  thefe  baths,  the  ufe 
of  which  was  fo  wrongly  recom- 
mended by  the  ancients,  and  the 
plcaiures  of  which  the  Egyptians 
Hill  enjoy.  Here  they  prevent  or 
exterminate  rheumatifms,  catarrhs, 
and  thofe  difeafcs  of  the  ikin  which 
the  want  of  perfpiration  occasions. 
Here  they  find  a  radical  cure  tor  that 
fatal  difeafe  which  attacks  the  pow- 
ers of  generation,  and' the  remedies 
for  which  are  fo  dangerous  in  Eu- 
rope+.  Here  they  rid  themlelves 
of  thofe  uncomfortable  fenfations  fo 
common  among  other  nations,  who 
have  not  the  fame  regard  to  cleanli- 
nefs. 

The  women-are  paffionately  fond 
of  thefe  baths,  whither  they  go  at 
leaft  once  a  week,  taking  with  them 
Haves  accuftomed  to  the  office. 
More  fenfual  than  men,  after  the 
ufual  procefs  they  wafh  the  body, 
and  particularly  the  head,  with  rofe- 
water.  There  their  attendants  braid 
their  long  black  hair,  with  which, 
inftead  of  powder  and  pomatum, 
they  mingle  precious  effences. — 
There  they  blacken  the  rim  of  the 
eye-lid,  arch  the  brows  with  cohel\t 
and  ftain  the  nails  of  their  hands 
and  feet  of  a  golden  yellow  with 
henna  ||.      Their    linen    and    their 


'  bathing  thus  to  me  was  half  a  crown  5  but  the  common 
;  in  the  bath,  wafh  themfelves,  and  .give  three  half-pence 

taken  the  vapour  bath  at  Conftantinople,  where  they 
it  Grand  Cairo,  thinks  they  injure  the  lungs  j  but  longer 
rinced  him  of  his  error.     There  are  no  people  who  prac- 

the  Egyptians,  nor  any  to  whom  fuch  dileafes  are  lefs 
wholly  unacquainted  with  pulmonic  complaints, 
-nuts,  which  the  Turkifh  women  ufe  to  blacken  and 


*ypt,  which  bears  fome  refemblance  to  the  privet. 
I  to  the  ikin,  give  it  a  bright  yellow  colour. 


The 


robe* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


MISCELLANEOUS    ESSAYS.         iat 


robes  having  been  pail  through  the, 
fweet  vapour  of  aloe?'  wood,  and 
tjieir  drefling  ended,  they  remain  in 
the  outward  apartment,  a,nd  pafs 
the  day  in  feafting,  while  tinging 
girls  come  and  dance,  and  ling 
foothing  airs,  or  recount  amorous 
adventures. 

The  days  of  bathing  are  feftive 
days  among  the  Egyptian  women  j 
they  deck  thennelves-  magnificent* 
ly,  and  under ,  the  long  veif  and 
mantle  which  hide  them  from  the 
public  eye  wear  the  rich  eft  Huffs. 
They  undrefs  themfelves  in  pre- 
fence  of  each  other,  and  their  va- 
nity extends  to  their  very  drawers, 
which  in  winter  are  made  of  fluffs 
inwove  with  filk  and  gold,  and  in 
fummer  of  worked  muflin.  Ruffles 
and  lace  are  unknown  to  them,  but 
their  ihiftsare  made  of  cotton  and 
filk,  as  light  and  tranfparent  as 
gauze.  Rich  fafhes  of  Caflimire* 
bind  up  their  floating  robes,  and 
two  crefcents  of  fine  pearls  fparkle 
amidft  the  black  hair  that  lhades 
their  temples,  while  diamonds  en- 
rich the  Indian  handkerchief  with 
which  they  bind  their  brows.  Such 
#re  the  Georgians  and  Circa ffians, 
whom  the  Turks  purchafe  for  their 
wives.  They  are  neat  to  excefs, 
and  walk  in  an  atmofphere  of  per- 
fumes }  and,  though  their* luxury  is 
hidden  from  the  public,  it  furpafles 
that  of  the  European  women  in  their 
own  houfes. 


The  exceffive  jealoufy  of  the 
Turk9  makes  them  pretend,  that 
in  this  warm  climate,  where  nature 
is  fo  powerful,  and  w'omen  are 
irrefiflibly '  prone  to  pieafure,  an 
intercourfe  between  the  fexes  would 
he  dangerous  5  they  therefore  abufe 
the  right  of  flrength,  and  hold  them 
in  flavery,  though  they  thereby  in- 
creafe  the  violence  of  their  pailions, 
and  make  them  ready  to  feize  the 
firll  opportunity  of  retaliation  :  ig- 
norant, no  doubt,  that  though  free 
women  may  be  won,  ilaves  need  no 
winning." 


An  Account  of  tfa  Aim  at,  or,  Egyp- 
tianlmprovifatore,  their  education, 
dancing,  mufic ;  and  the  fajfioitatt 
delight  the  natives  take  in  theft 
aQreJfes.     From  the  fame  ivorl. 

Grand  Cairo. 
«  T?  GYPT,  as  well  as  Italy, 
1j  has  her  improvifatore,  called 
Almai,  or  learned  3  which  title  they 
obtain  by  being  more  carefully 
educated  than  other  women.  They 
form  a  clafs  very  famous  in  the 
country,  to  be  admitted  into  which, 
it  is  necefTary  to  poflfefs  a  fine  voice, 
eloquence,  the  rules  of  grammar  +, 
and  be  able  to  compofe  and  fing  ex- 
tempore verfes,  adapted  to  the  oc- 
ean* on.  The  Almai  know  all  new 
fpngs  by  rote,  their  memory  is 
flared  with   the    befl  Mods  %  and 


tales. 


*  The  wool  of  Caflimire  is  the  fineft.  in  the  world,  furpafling  filk  itfelf.  The 
fafhes  made  from  it  coft  about  five-and-twenty  pounds  each  j  they  are  ufually  em*- 
broidered  at  both  ends,  and  though  itluee  French  ells  Jong,  and  one  wide,  may 
be  drawn  through  a  ring. 

f  The  quantity  in  Arabic  and  Latin  verfes  is  the  fame,  to  which  the  former  ajlds 
the  various  meaiure  and  rhyme  of  the  French.  Theie  advantages  cannot  unite, 
except  when  a  language  is  well  fixed. 

X  Elegiac  fongs,  which  bewail  the  death  of  a  hero,  or  the  dUaftcrs  of  love. 

Abulfeda 


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F22        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    17&6. 

tales,  they  are  pre  fen  t  at  all  fefti- 
vaJs,  and  are  the  chief  ornament 
of  banquets.  They  place  them  in 
a  raifed  orcheftra  or  pulpit,  where, 
they  ling  during  the  lead,  after 
which  they  defcend  and  form  dances, 
which  no  way  referable  ours.  They 
are  pantomimes  that  reprefent  the 
'common  incidents  of  life.  Love  is 
their  ufual  fubject.  The  fupplenefs 
of  thefe  dancers  bodies  is  incon- 
ceivable, and  the  flexibility  of  their 
features,  which  take  impreflions  cha- 
racteriftic  of  the  parts  they  play  at 
will,  aftonHhing.  The  indecency 
of  their  attitudes  is  often  excetfive ; 
each  look,  each  gefture  fpeaks, 
and  in  a  manner  fo  forcible  as  not 
peflibly  to  be  mifunderftood.  They 
throw  afide  modelty  with  their  veils. 
When  they  begin  to  dance,  a  long 
and  very  light  iilk  robe  floats  on 
the"  ground,  negligently  girded  by 
a  fafh  -,  long  black  hair,  perfumed, 
and  in  trefles,  defcends  over  their 
flioulders  j  the  fliift,  tranfparent  as 
gauze,  fcarcely  conceals  the  fkin  : 
as  the  action  proceeds,  the  various 
forms  and  contours  the  body  can 
affurae  feem  progreifive  ;  the  found 
of  the  flute,  the  caftanets,  the  tam- 
bour de  bafque,  and  cymbals,  re- 
gulate, increafe,  or  ilacken  their 
fteps.     Words,  adapted  to  fuch  like 


fcenes,  inflame  them  more,  till  they 
appear  intoxicated,  and  become 
frantic  bacchantes  Forgetting  all 
referve,  they  then  wholly  abandon 
themfelves  to  the  diforder  of  their 
fenfes,  while  an  indelicate  people, 
who  wifh  nothing  fliould  be  left  to 
the  imagination,  r-double  their  ap- 
plaufe. 

Thefe  Almai  are  admitted  into 
all  harems  j  they  teach  the  women 
the  new  airs,  recount  amorous  tales, 
and  recite  poems  in  their  pre  fence, 
which  are  interefting  by  being  pic- 
tures of  their  own  manners.  Tbey 
learn  them  the  myfteries  of  their 
art,  and  inftruct  them  in  lafcivious 
dances.  The  minds  of  thefe  wo- 
men are  cultivated,  their  converfa- 
tion  agreeable,  they  fpeak  their 
language  with  purity,  and,  habitu- 
ally addicting  themfelves  to  poetry, 
learn  the  mod  winning  and  fono- 
rous  modes  of  expreflion.  Their  re- 
cital is  very  graceful  •,  when  they 
fing,  nature  is  their  only  guide; 
fome  of  the  airs  I  have  heard  from 
them  were  gay,  and  in  a  light  and 
lively  meafure,  like  fome  of  ours : 
but  their  excellence  is  mod  feen 
in  the>  pathetic.  When  they  re- 
hcarfe  a  moal,  in  the  manner  of  the 
ancient  tragic  ballad,  by  dwelling 
upon  affecting  and  plaintive  tones, 


Abulfeda  has  preferved  the  conclusion  of  a  moal,  fung  by'Ommia  over  the  cavity 
in  which  his  ktnfmen  had  been  thrown  after  the  defeat  of  Beder. 

Have  I  yet  not  wept  enough  over  the  noble  ions  of  the' princes  of  Mecca? 
I  beheld  their  broken  bones,  and,  like  the  turtle  in  the  deep  recefs  of  the  foreft,  * 
'  filled  the  air  with  my  lamentations. 

rth,  unfortunate  mothers,  mingle  your  fighs  with  my  tears, 
allow  their  obfequies,  fing  dirges,  ye  wives,  interrupted  by  your 

1  to  the  princes  of  the  people  at  Beder,  the  chiefs  of  tribes  \ 

the  youthful  warrior,  there,  lay  naked  and.  Ufelefs. 

e  of  Mecca  changed  ! 

plains,  thefe  wildernefTes,  ftem  to  partake  my  grief. 

V ie  de  Ma borne t,  far  Savory,  page  $3. 

they 


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MISCELLANEOUS    ESSAYS.       123 


they  infpire  melancholy,  which  iu- 
feniibly  augments,  till  it  melts  in 
tears.  The  very.  Turk9,  enemies 
as  they  are  to  the  arts,  the  Turks 
themfelves,  pafs  whole  nights  in 
ILfteuing  to  them.  Two  people  ling 
together  fometimes,  but,  like  their 
orcheiira,  they  are  always  in  unifon : 
accpmpaniments  in  raufic  are  only 
for  enlightened  nations  j  who,  while 
melody  charms  the  ear,  wiftv  to  have 
the  mind  employed  by  a  juft  and 
inventive  modulation.  Nations,  on 
the  contrary,  whole  feelings  are  of- 
tener  appealed  to  than  their  under- 
flanding,  little  capable  of  catching 
the  fleeting  beauties  of  harmony, 
delight  in  thofe  fimple  Ibunds  which 
immediately  attack  the  heart,  with- 
QUt  calling  in  the  aid  of  reflection  to 
increafe  fenfibility. 

The  Ifraelites>  to  whom  Egyp- 
tian manners,  by  long  dwelling  in 
Egypt,  were  become  natural,  alfo 
had  their  Almai.  At  Jerufalem,  as 
at  C^iro,  It  feems,  they  gave  the 
women  leflbns.  St.  Mark  relates 
a  fa&  which  proves  the  power  of 
the  Oriental  dance  over  the  heart 
of  man*. 

u  And  when  a  convenient  day 
was  come,  that  Herod  on  his  birth- 
day made  a  fupper  to  his  lords, 
high  captains,  and  chief  eflates  of 
Galilee ; 

"  And  when  the  daughter  of  the 
faid  Herodias  came  in,  and  danced; 
and  pleafed  Herod,  and  them  that 
fat  with  him/the  king  laid  unto  the 
damfel,  Alk  of  me  whatfoever  thou 
wilt,  and  I  will  give  it  thee. 

"  And  he  fware  unto  her,  What- 
foever thou  {halt  alk  of  me,  I  will 
give  it  thee,  unto  the  half  of  my 
kingdom.  ' 


4t  And  fhe  went  forth,  and  faid 
unto  her  mother,  What  fhall  I  aik  ? 
aud  ihe  faid,  The  head  of  John  the 
Baptift. 

"  And  ihe  came  in  ftraightway 

with  hafte  unto  the  king,  and  aiked, 

.  faying,  I  will  that  thou  give  me  by 

and  by  in  a  charger  the  head  of 

John  the  Baptift. 

"  And  immediately  the  king  fent 
an  executioner,  and  commanded  his 
head  to  be  brought,  and  he  went 
and  beheaded  him  in  the  prifon." 

The  Almai  .are  prefent  at  mar- 
riage ceremonies,  and  precede  the 
bride,  playing  on  inftruments.  Thej^ 
alfo  accompany  funerals,  at  whieh 
they  fing  dirges,  utter  groans  and 
lamentation?,  and  imitate  every 
mark  of  grief  and  defpair.  Their 
price  is  high,  and  'they  feldom  at- 
tend any  but  wealthy  people  and. 
great  .lords. 

I  was  lately  invited  to  a  fplendid 
fupper,  which  a  rich  Venetian  mer- 
chant gave  the  receiver -general  of 
the  finances  of  Egypt.  The  Almai 
fung  various  airs  during  the  ban- 
quet, and  afterwards  the  praifes  p£ 
the  principal  guefts.  I  was  raoft 
pleafed  by  an  ingenious  allegory,  in 
which  Cupid  was  the  fuppofed  in- 
terlocutor. There  was  a  play  after  * 
fupper,  and  I  perceived  handfuJs  of 
fequins  were  occafipnally  fent  to  the 
fingers.  This  feltival  brought  them 
fifty  guineas  at  leaft  j  they  are  not, 
however,  always  fo  well  paid; 

The  common  people  have  their 
Almai  alfo,  who  are  a  fecond  order 
of  tuefe  women,  imitators  of  the 
rlrft;  but  have  neither  their  ele- 
gance, grace,  nor  knowledge.  They 
are  fecn  every  where 3  the  public 
fquares  and    walks  round    Grand 


*  St.  Mark}  chap.  vi.  ver.  21. 


Cairo 


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124         ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 

Cairo  abound  with  them ;  the  po- 
pulace require  ideas  to  be  convey- 
ed with  ftijl  lefs  difguife ;  decency 
therefore  will  not  permit  me  to  de- 
icribe  the  licentioufnefs  of  their  mo- 
tipns  and  poitures,  of  which  no  idea 
can  4>e  formed  but  by  feeing.  The 
Indian  Bayadieres  are  exemplarily 
modeft,  when  compared  to  the 
dancing  girls  of  the  Egyptians. 
This  is  the  principal  diverfion  of 
thefe  people,  and  in  which  they 
greatly  delight." 


Some* Account  of  the  private  life  of  the 
Egyptian  women,  their  inclinations, 
morals,  employments,  pleafures  ;  the 
wanner  in  which  they  educate  their 
children  ;  and  their  cnflqm  of  weep- 
ing oi/er  the  tombs  of  their  kin- 
dred, after  having  frewed  them 
nmth  fiowers  and^  odoriferous  plants,. 
ExtraQedfrm  the  fame  work. 

Grand  Cairo. 

H  TN  Europe  *  women  acl:  parts  of 
A  great  confequence,  and  often 
reign  fovereigos  on  the  world's  vaft 
(theatre;  they  influence  manners 
and  morals,  and  decide  on  the  moft 
important  events ;  the  fate  of  na- 
tion* is  frequently  in  their  hands. 


How  different  in  Egypt,  where  they 
are  bowed  down  by  the  fetters  of 
flavery,  condemned  to  fervitude, 
and  have  no  influence  in  public 
affairs !  Their  empire  is  confined 
within  the  walls  of  the  harem. 
There  are  their  graces  and  charms 
entombed  :  the  circle  of  their  life 
extends  not  beyond  their  own  family 
and  domeftic  duties+. 

Their  firft  care  is  to  educate  their 
children,  and  a  numerous  pofterity 
is  their  moft  fervent  wifh  ;  public 
refpe6t  and  the  love  of  their  hulband 
are  annexed  to  fruitful nefs.  This 
is  even  the  prayer  of  the  poor,  who 
earns  his  bread  by  the  fweat  of  his 
brow;  and,  did  not  adoption  alle- 
viate grief  when  nature  is  unkind, 
a  barren  woman  would  be  incon- 
folable.  The  mother  daily  fuckles 
her  child,  whofe  infant  fmiles,  ad- 
ded to  frequent  pregnancy,  recom- 
pences  all  the  cares  and  pains  they 
incurred.  Milk  difeafes,  #and  thofc 
maladies  which  dry  up  the  juices 
of  the  youthful  wife,  who  fends  her 
offspring  to  be  nurtured  by  a  (ban- 
ger, are  here  unknown.  That  mo- 
thers mould  fuckle  their  young  is 
a  law  as  ancient  as  the  world  ;  it  is 
exprefsly  commanded  by  Mahomet. 
"  Let  mothers  fuckle  their  children 
full  two  years,  if  the  child  does  not 
quit  the  breaft;   but  fbe  ihali  be 


*  The  Egyptians  never  mention  their  wives  in  converfation ;  or,  if  obliged 
to  rpeak  of  them,  they  fay,  the  mother  of  fuch  a  perfon,  the  miftrefs  of  the  houif, 
Ac.  Good  manners  will  not  permit  the  vilitor  to  afk,  How  does  your  wife  do, 
Sir  ?  But  in  imitation  of  their  referve,  it  is  neceflary  to  fay,  How  does  the  mo- 
ther  of  fuch  a  perfon  do?  And  this  they  think  an  infult  unlefs  aflced  by  a  kinf- 
man  or  an  intimate  friend.  This  I  relate  as  perfe&Iy  chara&eriftic  of  Eaffcrn 
jealoufy. 

t  The  compiler  Pomponius  Me)a  pretends  women  do  the  out-door  bufmefs  in 
Egypt,  and  men  that  of  the  houCehold.  gvery  writer  who  has  been  in  this  coom 
4ifproves  the  opinion. 

permitted 


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MISCELLANEOUS   ESSAYS,        125 

.with  his  delicate  limbs  fprawls  at 
pleafure.  The  new  element  in  which, 
he  is  to  live  U  not  entered  with  pain 
and  tears.  Daily  bathed  beneath  h\i 
mother's  eye,  he  grows-  apace ;  free 
to  a&,  he  tries  his  coming  powers, 
rolls,,  crawls,  rifes,  and,  mould  he* 
fall,  cannot  much  hurt  himfelf,  oil 
the  carpet  or  mat  which  covers  the 
floor  J. 

He  is  not  banilhed  his  father's 
houfe  when  feven  years  old,  and 
fent  to  college  with  the  lofs  of 
health  and  innocence ;  he  does  not, 
it  Is  trtie,  acquire  much  learning  j 
he  perhaps  can  only  read  and  write  j 
but  he  is  healthy,  robaft,  fears  God, 
refpe&«  old  age,  has  filial  piety,  and 
delights  in  hofpitality;  which  vir-, 
tues,  continually  pra&ifed  in  his  fa- 
mily, remain  deeply  engraven  on  his 
heart. 

.  The  daughter's  education  is  the 
fame.  Whalebone  and  buiks,  which 
martyr  European  girls]  they  know 
not,-  they  run  naked,  or  only  covered 
with  a  fhift,  till  -fix  years  old,  and 
the  drefs  they  afterwards  wear  con- 
fines none  of  their  limbs,  but  fufters 
the  body  to  take  its  true  form,  antt 
nothing  is  more  uncommon .  than 
rickety  children  and  crooked  peo- 
ple. Man  rifes  in  all  his  rfrajeity,. 
and  woman  difplays  every  cliarm  of 
perfon,  in  the  eaft.  In  (teorgia  and 
Greece  thofe  fine  marking  outlines* 
thofe  admirable  forms,  which  thfe 
Creator  gave  the  chief  of  his  wY>rks, 
are  beft  preferved.  Apelles  would 
ftill  find  models  worthy  of  his  pen- 
cil there. 

The  care  of  their  children  doe4 


permitted  to  wean  it  with  the  con- 
sent of  her  hulbahd  *."  Ulyfles,  in 
the  Etyfian  fields,  beholds  his  mo- 
ther, his  tender  mother  there,  wfco 
had  fed  him  with  hey  milk,  and 
nurtured  him  in  infancy  f. 

When  obliged  by  circumfta^ces 
to  take  a  nurfe,  they  do  not  treat 
ber  as  a  ftranger ;  the  becomes  one 
of  the  family,  and  pafles  ber  days 
amidft  the  children  me  has  fuckled, 
by  whom  fhe  is  cherifhed  and  ho- 
noured as  a  fecond  mother. 

Racine,  who  poffeflfed  not  only 
jetaius  btit  all  the  knowledge  necef- 
iaty  to  render  genius  confpicuous, 
.  Jftored  with  the  learning  of  the 
ifineft  works  of  Greece,  and  well 
Acquainted  with  Oriental  manners, 
gives  Phaedra  her  nurfe  as  her  fole 
confidante.  The  wretched  queen, 
infected  by  a  guilty  paffion  'fhe  could 
not  conquer,  while  the  fatal  fecret 
oppreffed  a  heart  that  durft  not  un- 
load itfelf,  could  not  refolve  to  fpeak 
her  thoughts  *  to  the  tender  CEnone, 
till  the  latter  had  laid, 

Cruelle,  quand  ma  foi  vous  a-t-elle  decue  ? 
Songez-vous,  qu'en  naillmt,  mes  bras  vous 
oat  regue  ? 

When,  cruel  queen,  by  me  were  you  de-  ' 

ceivM  ? 
Did  I  Jiot  firft  receive  you  in  thefe  arms  ? 

The  harem  is  the  cradle  and  fchool 
of  infancy.  The  new-born  feeble 
being  is  not  there  fwaddled  and  fil- 
leted Up  in  a  fwathe,  the  fource  of 
a  thoufand  difeaies.  Laid  naked  on 
a  mat,  expofed  in  a  vaft  chamber  to 
the  pure  air,  he  breathes  freely,  and 


.*  Coran. 

f  OdyfTey,  Book  XXIII. 

\  The  rooms  are  paved  with  large  flag-ftones,  wafhed  once  a  week,  and  covered 
iaiummer  with  a  reed  mat,  of  artful  workmanfhip,  and  a  carpet  in  winter. 

not 


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126        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


not  wholly  employ  the  women;  every 
other  domefttc  concern  is  theirs : 
they  overlook  their  houfehold,  and 
do  not  think  themfelves  debafed  by 
preparing  themfelves  their  own  food, 
and  that  of  their  huf bands.  Former 
cuftoms,  Hill  fubfitling,  render  thefe 
cares  duties.  Thus  Sarah  battened 
to  bake  cakes  upon  the  hearth,  when 
angels  vifited  Abraham,  who  per- 
formed^ the  rites  of  hofpitality.  Me- 
nelaus  thus  entreats  the  departing 
Telemachus  :— 

€i  Yet  ftay,  my  friends,  and  in  your  chariot 

take  t 

M  The  nobleft  presents  that  our  love  .can 

.    make; 
u  Mean-cime,  commit  we  to  our  women's 

care 
"  Some    choice    domeftic   viands   to   pre- 
pare V 

Subject  to  the  immutable  laws  by 
which  cuftom  governs  the  Eait,  the 
women  do  not  aflbciate  with  men, 
not  even  at  table  f,  where  the  union 
of  fexes  produces  mirth,  and  wit, 
and  makes  food  more  fvveet.  When 
the  great  incline  to  dine  with  one 
of  their  wives,  ihe  is  informed,  pre- 
pares the  apartment,  perfumes  it 
with  precious  efTences,  procures  the 
moft  delicate  viands,  and  receives 
her  lord  with  the  utmoft  attention 
and  refpeft*  Among  the  common 
people,  the  women  uiually  ftand,  or 
fit  in  a  corner  of  the  room  while 
the  hufband  dines,  often  hold  the 
bafon  for  him  to  wain,  and  fcrve 
him  at  table  J.  Cuftoms  like^thefe, 
which   the  Europeans  rightly  call 


barbarous,  and  exclaim  againft  wkfr 
juftice,  appear  fo  natural  here,  that 
they  do  not  fufpe&  it  can  be  other- 
wife  elfe where.  Such  is  the  power 
of*  habit  over  man :  what  for  ages 
has  been,  he  fuppofes  a  law" of  na- 
ture. 

Though  thus  employed,  the  Egyp- 
tian women  have  much  lei  fore,  which 
they  fpend  among  their  ilaves,  em- 
broidering fafhes,  making  veils, 
tracing  defigns  to  decorate  their  fo- 
fas,  and  in  fpinning. 

Labour  has  its  relaxations ; 
pleafure  is  not  baniflied  the  harem. 
The  nurfe  recounts  the  hiftory  of 
pail  times  with  a  feeling  which  her 
hearers  participate  j  cheerful  and 
paflionate  fongs  are  accompanied 
by  the  (laves  with  the  tambour  de 
bafque  and  caftanets.  Sometimes  the 
Almai  come,  to  enliven  the  fcene 
with  their  dances  and  affe&ing  re- 
citals, and  by  relating  amorous  ro- 
mances j  and,  at  the  clofe  of  jhe 
d^y,  there  is  a  repaft,  in  which  ex- 
quifite  fruits  and  perfumes  are  ferved 
with  profafion.  Thus  do  they  en- 
deavour to  charm  away  the  dulnefa 
of  captivity.    . 

Not  that  they  are  wholly  prifoners; 
once  or  twice  a  week  they  are  per- 
mitted to  go  to  the  bath,  and  vifit 
female  relations  and  friends.  To  be- 
wail the  dead  is  likewife  a  duty  they 
are  allowed  to  perform.  I  have  often 
feen  diftra&ed  mothers  round  Grand 
Cairo,  reciting  funeral  hymns  over 
the  tombs  they  had  ftrewed  with 
odoriferous  plants. 

The    Egyptian    women    receive 


•  Pope's  Odyffey,  Book  XV. 

f  Sarab,  who  prepared  the  dinner  for  Abraham  and  his  guefts,  fat  not  at  table, 
but  remained  in  her  tent. 

I  I  lately  dined  with  an  Italian  who  had  married  an  Egyptian  woman,  and  af- 
fumed  their  manners,  having  lived  here  long.  His  wife  and  fifter-in-law  flood  in 
my  prefence,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  I  prevailed  on  thenv  to  fit  at  table  with  us 
whterc  *hey  were,  extremely  timid  and  difconcerted. 

each 


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MISCELLANEOUS   ESSAYS.        tiy 


each  other's  vifits  very  aflfe&ionate- 
\y :  when  a  lady  enters  the  harem, 
the  miftreis-  rifes,  takes  her  hand, 
preiles  it  to  her  bofom,  kifies,  and 
makes  her  fit  down  by  her  fide ;  a 
Have  hailens  to  take  her  black  man- 
tle 5  Hie  is  entreated  to  be  at  eafe,. 
quits  her  veil  and  hfcr  outward  ihift*, 
and  difcovers  a  floating  robe,  tied 
round  the  waift  with  a  faih,  which 
perfectly  *  difplays  her  ihape.  She  > 
then  receives  compliments  accord- 
ing to  their  mannerf.  "  Why,  ray 
mother,  or  my  lifter,  have  yon  been  % 
fo  long  abfent?  We  fighed  to  fee 
you!  Your  prefence  is  an  honour 
to  our  houfe  5  it  is  the  happinefs  of 
our  lives!"  &c.  ^ 

Slaves  prefeht  coffee,  fherbet, 
and  confectionary;  they  laugh,  talk, 
and  play  5  a  krge  diih  is  placed  on 
the  fofa,  on  which  are  oranges, 
pomegranates,  bananas,  and  excel- 
lent melons.  Water  and  rofe-water  N 
mixed  are  brought  in  an  ewer ;  and 
with  them  a  iilver  bafon  to  walh 
tbe  hands,  and  loud  glee  and  merry 
converfation  feafon  the  meal.  The 
chamber  is  perfumed  by  wood  of 
aloes  in  a  brazier;  and,  the  repaft 
ended,  the  flaves4ance  to  the  found 
of  cymbals,  with  whom  the  mif- 
trefles  often  mingle.  At  parting 
they  feveral  times  repeat,  "  God 
keep  you  in  health !  Heaven  grant 
you  a  numerous  offspring !  Heaven 
pre.ferve  your  children,  the  delight 
and  glory  of  your  family  J !" 


While  a  vifitor  is  in  the  harem, 
the  hufband  muff  not  enter ;  it  is 
the  afylum  of  hofpitality,  and  cam- 
not  be  violated  without  fatal  oon- 
fequences ;  a  cheriihed  right,  which 
the  Egyptian  women  carefully  main- 
tain, being  interested  in  its  prefer- 
vation.  A  lover  -difguifed  like  a 
woman  may  be  introduced  into  the 
forbidden  place  ||,  and  it  is  necef- 
fary  he  mould  remain  undifcovered ; 
death  would  otherwife  be  his  re- 
ward. In  this  country,  where  the 
pa  (lions  are  excited  by  the  climate, 
and  the  difficulty  of  gratifying  -them,  ' 
love  often  produces  tragical  events. 

The  Turkiih  women  go,  guard- 
ed by  their  eunuchs,  upon  the  wa- 
ter alfo,  and  enjoy  the  charming 
profpe&s  of  the  banks  of  the  Nile. 
Their .  cabins  are  pleafant,  richly 
embellifhed,  and  the  boats  well 
carved  and  painted,  v  They  are 
known  by  the  blinds  over  the  win- 
dows, and  the  mufic  by  which  they 
are  accompanied. 

When  they  cannot  go  abroad,  they 
endeavour  to  be  merry  in  their  pri- 
fon.  Toward  fun-fetting  they  go 
on  the  terrace,  and  take  the  freih 
air  among  the  flowers  which  arc 
there  carefully  reared.  Here  they 
often  bathe  5  and  "thus  at  once  enjoy 
the  cool  limpid  water,  the  perfume 
of  odoriferous  plants,  the  balmy  air, 
and  the  ftarry  holt  which  mine  in 
the  firmament. 

Thus  Bathfheba    bathed,    when 


*  A  habit  of  ceremony,  which  covers  the  drefs,  and,  except  the  collar,  greatly 
xefcmblcs  a  fhift.  It  is  thrown  off  on  fitting  down,  to  be  more  at  eafe;  and  is 
called  in  Arabic,  camls.  x 

f  Such  titles, as  madam,  mifs,  or  miftrefs,  ^ire  unknown  in  Egypt.  A  woman 
advanced  in  years  is  called  my  mother}  when  young,  my  iifttrj  and,  if  a  girl, 
laughter  of  the  houfe.  . 

J  I  mention  thefe  wifhes,  very  ancient  in  the  Eaft,  becaufe  they  are  found  often 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  ' 

J  J  have  laid  barer*  fignifies  forbidden  place. 

David 


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128.     ANNUAL' REGISTER,    1786. 


David  beheld  her  from  the  roof  of 
his  palace  *. 

The  Turks  oblige  the  public 
criers  to  fwear  they  will  ihut  their 
eyes  when  they  coll  the  people  to 
prayer,  that  their  wives  may  not  be 
feen  from  the  high  minarets.  Ano- 
ther more  certain  precaution,  which 
they  take,  is  to  choofe  the-  blind  to 
perform  this  pious  fun&ion. 

Such,  Sir,  is  the  ufual  life  of  the 
Egyptian  women.  Their  duties  are 
to  educate  their  children,  take  care 
of  their  houfehold,  and  live  retired 
with  their  family :  'their  pleasures, 
to  vifit,  give  feafts,  (in  which  they 
often  yield  to  exceflive  mirth  and 
Kcentioufnefs,)  go  on  the  water,  take 
the  air  in  orange-groves,^  and  lifteh 
to  the  Almai.  Tfcey  deck  them- 
felves  as  carefully  to  receive  their 
acquaintance  as  French  women  do 
to  allure  the  men.-  Ufiially  mild 
and  timid,  they  become  daring  and 
furious  when  under  the  dominion  of 
violent  love  :  neither  locks  nor  grim 
keepers  can  then  prefcribe  bounds 
to  their  paffions ;  which,  tho'  death 
be  fufpended  over  their  head,  they 
fearch  the  means  to  gratify,  and  are 
feldom  unfuccefsful." 


Curious  account  of  the  Chicken-Ovens, 
in  Egypt.  Extracled from  the  fame 
'  authbr. 

QPEAKING  of  Manfourai  on  the 
Damietta  branch  of  the  Nile, 
Monf.  Savary  fays—"  Here  are  vaft 
chicken-ovens;  and,  as  Egypt  is 
the  only  country  where  this  mode 
.of  hatching  is  pra6tifed,  I  will  de- 
scribe it. 

"  Imagine  a  building  of  two  ftor 
ries,  one  under  ground,  and  the 
other  but  litde  above,  equally  di- 


vided, length-ways,  by  a  narrow 
gallery*  on  the  right  and  left'  arc 
fmall  cells,  where  the  eggs  are  put  j 
the  upper  ftory  is  vaulted  with  an 
ox-eye  aperture  at  the  top,  and  a 
fmaller  one  on  the  floor,  by  Which 
heat  is  communicated  below  5  both 
have  a  fmall  window  carefully 
clpfed,  and  only  one  low  door  for 
the  whole  building.  The  eggs  are 
arranged  in  heap  /  in  the  lower 
ftory,  and  a  firpW  fun-dried  cow- 
dung  kindled  in  the  upper,  morn- 
ing and  night,  an  hour  each.  This 
is  repeated  for  eight  days,  and  the 
building  being  frifEciently  heated, 
the  fire  is  put  out,  every  aperture 
clofed,  and  a  part  of  the  eggs  heap- 
ed up  below  are  carried  above.  The 
fuperintendantoccafionally  examines 
if  it  be  neceflary  to  increafe  or  di- 
minifh  the  heat.  On  the  nineteenth 
day  the  chickens  begin  to  move  in 
their  fhells,  nibble  with  their  beaks 
on  the  twentieth,  endeavouring  to 
break  their  prifon,  and  are  ufually 
completely  hatched  on  the  twenty- 
fir  ft  :  then  do  thefe  heaps  of  eggs, 
apparently  lifelefs,  begjn  to  move, 
and  roll  about  the  floor,  and  thon- 
fands  of  little  various  coloured 
chickens  to  run  and  hop  round  the 
apartment.*  This  fight  is  truly  di- 
verting. They  are  carried  in  pan- 
niers, and  cried  about  the  ftreets  on 
the  morrow,  each  houfe  .  flocking 
itfelf  at  a  half-penny  a  piece.  Va- 
rious authors  have  faid  thefe  fowls 
are  not  fo  good  as  thofe  hatched  by 
the  hen,  but  they  are  miftaken.  A 
French  cook  I  faw  at  Grand  Cairo 
bought  them  every  year,  and  when" 
well  fed  they  became  excellent  poul- 
try. People  here  fay  the  villagers* 
of  Bermai  only  know  the  fecret  of 
this  mode  of  incubation,  but  this  I 
cannot  certify." 


*  2  6arauel,  xi.  u 


J» 


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MISCELLANEOUS   ESSATS.        129 


An  account  df  the  Krimea,  extra&td 
from  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  fir 
Augtft  1786,  /f£*-&f4. 

u  fTpHE  peninfula  of  the  Krim, 
X.  or  Kriroea,  is  fituate  direft- 
ly  to  the  fouth  of  St.  Peterfburg> 
between  the  51ft  and  54th  degrees 
of  latitude,  and  in  46  of  longitude. 
Its  fouthern  and  weftern  cOafts  lie 
in  the  Euxinc;  its  northern  and 
eaftern  in  the  Rotten  Sea  and  the 
Palus  Maeotis.  It  is  joined,  how* 
ever,  to  the  continent,  on  the  north, 
by  &  froall  neck  of  land,  not  more 
than  nine  Verfts  broad;  the  mean 
length  and  breadth  of  the  peninfula 
hfeif  being  about  200  verfts. 

From  the  above-mentioned  ifth- 
nius,  On  which  is  built  the  fortrefs 
of  Or-kapi,  or  Perekop,  to  the  firft 
rifrag  of  the  hill  at  Karafubafar, 
the  country  is  one  continued  flat, 
elevating  itfelf*  by  an  eafy  grada- 
tion, to  the  fummit  of  the  hill, 
which  forms  the  fouth  fide  of  the 
peninfula,  and  the  more  of  the 
Euxine  Sea.  The  furface  of  the 
foil  is  atmoft  all  of  one  kind,  a  red- 
difli  grey  loam;  on  digging,  you 
find  it  mote  or  lefs  mixed  with  a 
black  earth,  and  the  hills  abound 
with  marie;  The  whole  flat,  from 
Perekop  to  the  river  Salgir,  which 
may  be  an  extent  of  120  verfts,  is 
full  of  falt-marihes  and  lakes,  from 
whence  the  neighbouring  Ruffian 
governrhents,  as  well  as  the  Krim 
itfelf,  Anatolia,  and  Beflarabia,  are 
fupplied  with  fait.  The  moft  re- 
markable of  thefe  lakes  are  five  in 
number :  Koflof  and  KefFa,  fo  called 
after  the  towns  near  which  they  fie, 
are  very  large  j  "the  Tufla,  about 
15  verfts  from  Perekop,  on  the  road 
from  Keffaj  the  Red  Lake,  not  far 
from  the  laft-rnentioned  $  and  the 
Black  Lake.    Befides  thefe,  there 

Vol,  XXVIII. 


are  many  other  fwamps  and  Jakes/ 
from  whence  the  inhabitants  get  fait 
for  their  own  confumption. 

The  greateft  part  of  the  penin* 
fula  is  fo  level  that  a  man  may  tra- » 
vel  over  the  half  of  it  without  meet- 
ing with  a  river,  or  even  the  fmall- 
eft  brook.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
villages,  therefore,  make  a  pit  in 
the  yard  of  every  houfe  for  receivr 
ing  the  rain,  or  the  water  that  runs 
from  the  hills.  The  whole  trad  is 
bare  of  every  kind  of  tree.  Not  a  v 
buih  or  a  bramble  is  to  be  feenj 
and  the  herbage  is  extremery  fcan- 
ty.  This,  however,  does  not,  pro- 
ceed fo  much  from  the  unfruitfulnefs 
of  the  place,  as  from  the  "vaft  herds 
of  cattle  which  rove,  the  whole  yea* 
long,  from  place  to  place,  by  which  . 
means  all  the  grafs,  in  fpring,  fum- 
mer,  \>r  autumn,  no  fooner  appears, 
through  the  long  drought  which  fuc- 
ceeds  the  rainy  feafon,  but  it  is  im- 
mediately devoured  or  trodden 
down.  The  univerfal  prevalence 
of  this  cuftom  of  keeping  cattle  to 
wander  up  and  down,  jointed  to  the 
flothfulnefs  of  the  Tartars,  with  . 
thejr  inaptitude  and  averfion  to 
agriculture,  is  the  reafon  of  the  to- 
tal neglect  of  that  fcience  here. 
Otjierwife,  were  the  land  divided 
into  portions,  and  properly  manag- 
ed, there  would  be  a  fufficiencjr  for 
the  cattle,  and  the  reft  would  be 
fruitful  in  corn  and  grain.  By  this 
means  alone  the  Krim  would  be-" 
come  a  fertile  country,  and  no  na- 
tural defecl  would  be  found  in  op- 
pofition  to  the  welfare  of  its  inha- 
bitants. The  truth  of  this  is  well 
known  by  their  neighbours ;  where, 
of  a  hundred  Tartars,  one  perhaps 
follows  hnflbandry,  who  finds  it  an- 
fwer  to  fo  much  profit,  that  he  has 
not  only  enough  for  his  own  ufe,  but 
wherewith  to  fell  to  the  ninety-nine. 

K  *  Tbi* 


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ijo        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786, 

This  peninfula,  which  is  indeed 
but  a  little  diftrift,  yet,  from  the 
many  advantages  conferred  upon 
it  by  nature,  may  be  efteemed  pe- 
culiarly rich,  I  ihall  divide  into  two 
parts,  the  hilly  country  and  the  flat. 
The  latter,  which  extends  from  Pe- 
rekop  to  Koflof  and  the  river  Bul- 
ganak,  to  Kerafubafar,  Kefta,  and 
Yenicali,  is  ftrewn  here  and  there 
with  little  Tartar  villages,'  main- 
tained by  cattle  and  the  produce  of 
the  falt-lakes.  The  highlands,  or 
hilly  country,  form  the  fouthern 
part  of  the  Krim,  along  the  ftraight 
coaft  of  the  Black  Sea,  and  ftretch- 
ing  weftward,  in  a  right  line  from 
Kefta,  to  the  vicinity  of  Belbek. 
Thefe  hills  are  compofed  of  layers 
.  of  chalk,  which  in  the  headlands 
and  promontories,  is  foft,  but  more 
inland  quite  hard.  The  ftrata  of 
the  highett  hills  are  like  thofe  of  the 
promontories,  and  takev  a  direction 
from  north  to  foUth.  Thefe  quali- 
ties of  the  urate  prevail  not  through- 
out the  whole  hills,  but  only  in  the 
large  and  lofty  ones,  fuch  as  the  two 
that  rife  near  Karafubafar,  and  one 
very  high  by  Achmetfched,  which 
bears  the  name  of  Aktau.  The 
other  fmaller  hills  lie  fcattered  and 
difperfed,  but  take  the  names  of  the 
greater  ones,  to  which  they  fee  m  to 
belong ;  as  the  great  ridge  of  Cau- 
cafus  does,  which  extends  beyond 
the  Donau,  through  Bulgaria,  and 
are  named  Palkans. 

The  ftate  of  the  hilly  part  of  the 
Krim  is  taken  chiefly  from  my  own 
obfervations,  and  the  reft  I  have* 
taken  from  the  friendly  communi- 
cations of  others.  All  agree  in 
this,  that  nature  has  favoured  thele 
highland  countries  with  great  ad- 
vantages, and  bleflfed  them  with 
abundance  of  all  things  j  a  number 
©f  lprings  that  flow  from  the  moun- 


tains form  the  two  confiderable  ri- 
vers Salgir  and  Karafu,  that  mi 
into  the  Rotten  Sea.  Tht  iorati 
which  takes  its  rife  from  a  caver 
in  a' high  hill  near  Achmetfcht 
falls  ftraight  into  the  plain  bclo 
and  waters  a  great  part  of  t 
Krim  :  the  other,  commencing 
hind  Karafubafar,  falls  likewifei 
the  plain,  and  mingles  with 
Salgir.  The  many  other  little 
vers  and  ft  reams,  which  run 
ward,  and  either  join  the  two 
mentioned,  or  fall  immediateh 
the  Rotten  Sea,  J  ihall  uot 
particularly  mention,  but  ob 
in  general,  that  all  the  ftream 
the  whole  length  of  the  hills, 
begin  at  Kefta,  and  procee* 
chain  of  the  fame  height,  i 
the  north,  or  the  north-ea 
cepting  one  behind  Achme 
where  the  great  mountain  A 
which  falls  on  the  other  fide; 
the  river  which,  rifing  on  i\\\ 
ern  fide  of  this  mountain,  fl 
was  before  obferved,  tows 
north-eaft,  to  the  Salgir 
Rotten  Sea ;  as  likewife  tho 
fpring  on  the  weftern  fi< 
their  courfe  weftward  to  tb 
nak,  and  thence  ftraight 
Black  Sea,  which  alfo  re< 
the  other  little  rivers  that  a 
thefe  hills,  as  the  Amma, 
cha,  the  Belbek,  the  1 
&c.  &c. 

The  mountains  are  wel 
with  woods,  fit  for  the  p 
fhip-building,  and  cotita 
of  wild  beafts.  The  vail 
of  fine  arable  land  5  on  tV 
the  hills  grow  corn  anc 
great  abundance,  and  tli 
rich  in  mines.  But  thefe 
eers  are  as  carelefs  and  n< 
the  inhabitants  of  the  de:f< 
iug  all  thefe  advantages 


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MISCELLANEOUS    ESSAYS. 


*3* 


their  brethren  of  the  low-lands,  are 
fufficiently  happy  if  they  are  in 
pofleffion  of  a  fat  fheep  and  as  much 
bread  as  ferves'  them  to  eat. 

About  1 8  years  ago,  this  penin- 
fula  was  uncommonly  full  of  inha- 
bitants and  wealth..  They  reckoned 
at  that  time  at  lead  1200  villages  ; 
but,  from  the  late  troubles  in  the 
Krim,  it  has  loft  more  than  a  third 
part  of  its  inhabitants  5  and  now, 
wherever-  we  turn,  we  meet  with 
the  ruins  of  large  villages  and  dwel- 
lings. The  people  was  compofed' 
of  varjous  nations,  who  lived  to- 
gether Under  the  Tartars  in  the 
moft  unbounded' freedom  5  but,  in 
the  late  Tqrkifli  war,  they  either 
put  themfelves  under  the  Ruffian 
government,  and  were  transferred 
to  that  empire,  or  fled  to  Abcafia 
and  the  Tfchirkaffian  hills. 

The  houtes  in  the  towns,  as  well 
as  the  villages,  are,  for  the  moft 
part,  of  fquare  timbers,  having 
the  interftices  filled  with  br,ick 
work,  if  the  potiefTor  can  afford  it, 
and  thofe  of  the  poorer  fort  with 
turf.  The  clunks  and  crannies  are 
made  tight  with  clay,  and  then 
plaftered  within  and  without.  Thfe 
covering  is  commonly  either  of 
brick  or  of  turfs.  Onljr  the  nied-. 
fcheds,  minarets,  and  baths,  are  of, 
ftone,  and  a  few  extremely  hand- 
fome,  of  marble.  They  have  chini* 
nies  in  the  chambers,  at  which  they 
likewife  drefs  their  victuals  $  but 
ftoves  in  the  Ruffian  manner  none. 
In  extreme  frofts  a  great  iron  pan 
of  charcoal  is  brought  into  the 
room,  for  making  it  comfortable. 
Their  cuftom  is,  to  fit  upon  low  fo- 
fas,  with  Turkilh  coverings  and 
cufhions,  or  upon  a  clay  feat,  fome- 
what  raifed  above  the  earth,  and 
fpread  with  a  carpet.  In  thefe 
rooms  are  cupboards  and  chefts,  of- 


ten covered  with  cufhion,  to  ferve 
as  feats,  in  which  they'  keep  their 
gold,  filver  and  valuables.  Such 
.  are  the  inner  apartments,  or  harems, 
in  which  the  women  generally  live; 
the  others  are  not  fo  fine.  Thefe 
cpntain  only  a  fofa,  or  a  bank  of 
clay,  covered  with  a  carpet,  as  in 
the  chimney. rooms. 

The  cloathing  of  the  Tartars  is 
lb  well  known,  that  I  {hall  not  give, 
myfelf  or  your  readers  the  trouble 
of  going  through  its  defcription. 

The  rich  Tartars,  and  their  no- 
bility, or  murzas  (excepting  only 
fuch  as  are  about  the  perfon  of  the* 
khan)  commonly  dwell,  all  the  year 
round,  in  the  country,  coming  only 
to  town  when  they  have  bufinefs 
there.  There  are  but  few  towns  in 
the  Krim,  at  lead  in  cdmparjfon  of 
its  former  population*  The  Krim- 
fkoi  Tartars  have  no  tribunal  of 
juftice,  controverfies  ,and  quarrels 
being  feldom  heard  of  among  them : 
and  if  a  difpute  mould  ariie,  it%is 
immediately-  fettled  by  an  appeal  to 
the  Koran.  Little  -differences  in/ 
the  villages  inevitably  happening, 
about  property,  or  other  matters 
not  taken  noticp  of  in  that  code, 
are  amicably  adjufted  by  the  elder- 
men,  or  abefes  $  but  in  the  towns 
all  weighty  concerns,  excepting  the 
fingle  cafe  of  murder  or  homicide, 
are  brought  before  the  kaimakan,, or  . 
commandant,  who  fettles  them  ab«* 
folutely,  without  appeal. 

The  refidence  of  the  khans  of  the 
Krimea  was  formerly  Bachtfchifarai, 
in.  which  city  they  held  their  feat 
for  upwards  of  300  years.  They 
went  thither  from  Eiki-Krim,  or. 
Old  Krim,  the  capital  city  ot  the 
Genoeie,  upon  Bengli  Ghireik'ian's 
plundering  the  fea-ports,  and  driv-- 
ing  all  the  Genoefe  from  their  It  ac- 
tions.    Before  Eiki-Krim,  and  in** 

K  a  deed" 


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132        AN  ft  UAL  REGISTER,  1786. 

deed  upon  the  flrft  coming  of  the 
Tartars  into  this  peninfula,  the  fo- 
vcreign  refidence  was  at  Koflof,  but 
here  they  remained  not  long.  Under 
the  late  khan  Schagin  Ghirei,  it 
>vas  held  at  KefTa,  the  ancient  Tbe- 
odofia,  which  is  15  verfts  diftant 
from  Eiki-Krim,  faid  to  be  the  Cim- 
hieriumjDf  the  ancients. 

The  principal  cities  or  towns  of 
the  Krimea  are : 

Bachtfchi-Sarai,  an  extenfive  and 
wealthy  city,  lying  in  a  vale  be- 
tween two  high  mountains,  and 
furrounded  by  a  number  of  gardens. 
From  this  circumfjance  it  has  its 
name ;  Bachtfchi  fignifying,  in  the 
Tartarian  language,  a  garden,  and 
Sarai,  a  palace.  It  formerly  con- 
tained 3000  houfes,  and  many  fump- 
tuous  medfeheds.  The  palace  of 
the  khans,  with  -its  gardens  and 
ponds,  were  much  improved  under 
the  government  of  khan  Kerim  Gi- 
rei;  under  whbfe  government  the 
laft  Turkifh  war  took  its  rife.  In 
this  palace  is  the  burial  place  of  all 
tbe  khans  of  Krimea,  wherein  all 
the  khans  that  have  reigned  here  lie 
interred.  The  fine  Krimfltoi  vines, 
with  their  large  clutters  of  grapes, 
grow  in  great  plenty  all  about  this 
town,  and  a  profufion  of  other  deli- 
cious fruits,  frbm  whence  the  neigh- 
bouring parts  of  Ruffia  are  rupplied. 

Kefta,  the  prefent  refidence  of 
the  khans,  ftands  on  the  ihore  of  a 

the  black  lea.     Its 

leclivity  of  a  long 

ns,  and  is  mantled 

fortified  by  feveral 

)mpaffed  by  a  deep 

1  fides  of  the  city 

raftles,  and  in  the 

a  lofty  turret,  for 

ring  fignals  by  fire. 

trere  wide  extended 

ting,  among  other. 


confiderable  buildings,  medfeheds, 
churches  for  the  Greek  and  Arme- 
nian worihip,  of  all  which  now  only 
the  veftiges  remain.  Tne  cafties 
and'towerslie  alfo  in  ruins,  and  not 
one  third  part  of  the  houfes  of  the. 
city  itfclf  are  now  remaining,  and 
thofe  chiefly  built  of  materials  taken 
from  the  aforefaid  ruins*  %  They 
formerly  reckoned  Keffa  to  contain 
4009  houfes,  including  the  fuburbs, 
with  a  number  of  medfebeds  and 
ChrifHan  churches;  but  this  number 
has  been  much  diminifhed  by  the 
laft  Turkifh  war.    . 

I  perceived  m  the  walls  of  the 
houl>s  a  great  many  blocks  and  flab* 
of  marble,  with  inferi prions  and 
enfigns  armorial,  chifleled  in  tbe 
time  of  the  Genoefe.  The  prefent 
inhabitants  confift  moftly  of  Tar- 
tars, who  carry  on  a  trade,  by  no 
means  inconfiderable,  in  commo- 
dities brought  from  Turkey.  The 
late  khan,  an  intelligent  and  en~ 
lightened  perfonage,  made  this  city 
the  place  of  his  refidence,  and 
brought  hither  the  mint  from  Bacht- 
fchifarai,  built  himielf  a  palace, 
and  erected  a  divan,  which  affem- 
bled  three  times  a  week,  and  the 
fourth  time  was  held  in  the  palace 
of  the  khan,  in  which  he  always 
perfonally  aififted.  Here  is  alfo'  a 
cuftom-houfe,  the  management  of 
which  is  farmed  out, 

Karafubafar,  likewife  a  very  rich 
city  in  former  times,  Hands  at  the 
beginning  of  the  mountains,  about 
half-way  between  KefFa  arid  Bacht- 
fchifarai.  It  is  a  large  trading 
town,  contains  a  confiderable  num- 
ber of  dwelling-houfes  and  med- 
feheds, but  the  greateft  part  of  them 
in  decay,  and  many  fine  gardens. 
This  place  is  the  mod  famous  in  all 
the  Krim  for  its  trade  in  horfes,  and 
has  a  market  once  a  week  for  that 

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M1SCELLANE0USESSAYS.    133 


article  of  traffic;  to  whioh'are  like- 
"wife  brought  great  numbers  of  buf- 
faloes, oxen,  cows,  camels,  and 
fheep,  for  fale.  Near  this  city  flows 
one  of  the  principal  rivers  of  the 
Krim,  called  the  Karafu,  that-  is, 
the  Black  Water.  Of  this  river 
they  have  an  opinion  In  Ruffia,  that 
one  part  of  it  flows  upwards  for  fe- 
veral  verfte  together;  But  this  is  in 
fome  fort  true,  not  only  of  the  Ka- 
rafu, but  of  all  the  rivers  of  the 
Krim  that  have  a  ftrong  current.— 
The  Tartars,  who  dwell  either  in 
the  vallies,  or  on  Jthe  fides  of  the 
mountains,  (frequently  without  con- 
fidering  whether  the  place  is  fup- 
plied  with  water  or  not)  dig  canals 
either  from  the  fource  of  the  next 
river,  or  from  that  part  of  it  which 
lies  neareft  to  their  particular  habi- 
tation, about  an  arfhine  in  breadth, 
for  their  gardens  and  domeftic  nfe. 
From  thefe  they  cut  fmaller  ones 
through  the  villages,  to  fupply  them 
with  water,  and  not  unfrequently 
todrive^a  mill.  .  Tnefe  canals  ap- 
pear, to  the  imagination  of  the  com- 
mon people,  to  run  in  a  contrary, 
direction  to  the  current  of  the  river ; 
and  in  fad  thefe  canals  do  lie,  in 
many  places,  for  a  verft  in  length, 
fome  fathoms  higher  than  the  level 
of  the  fiream  from  whence,  they  are 
fupplied. 

Achmetfted,  a  pretty  large  city, 
not  far  from  Bachtfchifarai,  now 
made  the  capital  of  all  the  Krimea, 
by  the  regulations  of  prince  Potem- 
kin,  in  the  fummer  of  laft  year. 

Koflof,  formerly  a  very  confider- 
able  trading  town,  lies  on  the  weft- 
ern  fide  of  the  peninfula,  in  a  bay 
of  the  Black  Sea,  which,  as  well  as 
the  found  at  Keffa,  might  rather  be 
called  a  road  than  a  haven.  This 
was  the  firft  town  the  Tartars  pof- 
fcifed  themJelveg  of  on  their  firft 


*  entrance  into  the  JCrim,  and  eftab- 
liined  a  cuftom-houfe  therein,  after  % 
the  example  of  the  Genoefe,  whicU. 
is  now  farmed  out. 

The  other  remarkable  places  are, 
Sudak,  which  is  built  on  the  hills 
upon  the dhore  of  the  Black  Sea,  at 
the  fouth  fide  of  the  peninfula,  and 
is  famous  for  its  excellent  wine,  re- 
fembHng  Champaigne,  both  in  co- 
lour and  ftrength;  Alufchti,  on  the 
fame  fide,  among  the  hills  on  the 
fea-ihorej  Baluklava,  where  there 
is  a  fine  harbour,  and  perhaps  the 
only  one  on  the  Black  Sea,  contains 
ing  ample  room  for  a  very  good 
fleet ;  Inkerman  may  be  noticed 
for  its  commodious,  though  not  v^ry 
large,  haven,  called' Achtiar;  and 
Mangup,  theold Cherfonefns  5  which 
were  all  formerly  very  flourifhing 
towns,  but  are  now  either  in  ruins, 
or  dwindled  into  fmall  villages. 

All  thefe  places,  fo  long  as  the 
Genoefe  remained  matters  of  the 
Krim,  were  well  fortified;  but  the^ 
Tartars,  in  taking  them,  demo- 
lifhed  all  the  works.  While  they 
were  under  the  Turks,  they  left  the 
fortrefles  of  KefFa,  Kertfch,  and 
Koflof,  and  built  the  fort  Arabat,  - 
on  the  neck  of  land  between  the  fea 
of  Azof  (or  Palus  Maeotis)  and  the 
Rotten  Sea,  where  Perekop  alfo  is. 

In  Arabat  are  but  few  houfes;  but 
here  the  warlike  ftores  of  the  khans 
were  kept. — Perekop,  called  by  the 
Turks  Or-kapi,  is  a  fortrefs  of 
moderate  ftrength,  ftanding  about 
the  middle  of  the  neck  of  land  that 
joins  the  peninfula  with  the  conti- 
nent. This  ifthmus,  which  is  at 
leaft  nine  verfls  broad,  is  cut  through 
with  a  wide  and'deep  ditch,  lined 
with  ftone,  and  reaches  from  the 
Black  to  the  Rotten  Se&.  This  was 
formerly  kept  without  water,  but 
now  it  is  filled. from  both  leas.    On 

K  3  the 


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134       ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 

the  Kriraean  fide  a  high  wall  of  at  prefent  in  a  Hate  of  total  de- 
carth  runs  the  whole  length  of  it,  cay." 
Uraight  from  oue  fea  to  the  other. — 
You  pats  over  the  ditch  by  means 
of  a  drawbridge,  and  through  the 
wall  by  a  gateway.  The  walls  of 
the  fortrefs  are  lome  fathom  from 
.  the  road-fide,  of  which  the  ruins 
are  only  now  difcernible,  namely, 
large  brick  houfes,  with  a  number 
of  bomb-fhells  and  capnon-balls 
about  them,  which  were  formerly 
kept  in  the  fortrefs.  At  lead  three 
verfts  from  this  is  the  pretty  popu- 
lous, but  miferable,  place  which 
was  probably  the  town  to  which  this 
fort  belonged.  Near  the  gate  is  a 
cuftom-houfe,  where  all  imports  and  , 
exports  pay  duty. 

'This  peninfula  was  formerly  ex- 
tremely 'populous;  the  number  of 
its  inhabitants,  in  Tartars,  Turks, 
Greeks,  Armenians,  Jews,  and 
others,  amounted  to  above  200,000 
men.  Since  that,  however,  the 
greateft  part  of  the  Chriftians  have 
betaken  themfelves  to-  t'he  other 
parts  of  the  Ruffian  empire,  parti- 
cularly the  government  of  Azof  j 
and  many  other  inhabitants,  parti- 
cularly Tartars,  have  gone  to  Ta- 
man  and  Abchafia;  fo  that  the 
prefent  population  of  the  Krim  can- 
not now  be  reckoned  at  more  than 
50,000  men  at  moft.  , 

The  Krirn  was  hefetofore  divided 
into  24  kaduliks,  or  diftri£ts,  name- 
ly, Yenikali,  Kertfch,  Arabat,  Ef- 
ki-krim,  Ketfa,  Karafubafar,  Sudak, 
Achmetfched,  Yalof,  Bachtfchifa- 
rai,  Balaklava,  Mangup,  lnkerman, 
Koflof,  Or,  Maniur,  Tarkan,  Si- 
vafch,  Tfchongar,  Sarubulat,  Ba- 
run,  Argun \  Sidfchugut,  and  Schi- 
rin.  Several  of  theie  diftrids  are 
nanvd  after  the  town  or  village 
wherein  the  mhrza,  their  governor, 
dwells;    and  many  of    them    are 


Taciturnity,  an  Apologue,  iranf-^ 

la  fed  from  the  French  of  Abbe  Blan-" 

chet;    extracted  from    Tales,    Ro- 

'  mances,    apologues ,    &e.   from   the 

French,  in  t<wo  wis. 

AT  Amadan   was  a   celebrated 
academy,  the  firft  ftatute  of 
which  ran  thus : 

*/  he  Academicians  are  to  think  much, 
write  lutle,  and,  if  poffible,  fpeak 
left. 

This  was  called  the  Silent  Aca- 
demy, nor  was  there  a  fage,  in  Per- 
fia,  who  was  not  ambitious- of  being 
admitted  a  member.  Zeb,  a  fa- 
mous fage,  and  author  of  an  excel- 
lent little  book,  entitled,  /  he  (Jag, 
heard,  in  the  diftant  province  where 
he  lived,  there  was  a  vacancy  in 
the  filent  academy.  Immediately 
he  departed  for  Amadan,  and,  ar- 
riving, prefented  himfelf  at  the  door 
of  the  hall  where  the  academicians 
were  aifembled,  and  fent  in  the  fol- 
lowing billet  to  the  pretideht :     . 

Zeb,  a  lover  of.  filence,  humbly 
afks  the  vacant  place. 

The  billet  arrived  too  late,  the 
vacancy  was  already  fupplied.  The 
academicians  were  a]  mo  ft  in  de- 
fpair ;  they  had  received,  fomewhat 
againil  their  inclinations,  a  cour- 
tier, who  had  fome  wit,  and  wbofe 
light  and  trifling  eloquence  had  be-* 
come  the  admiration  of  all  his 
court- acquaintances.;  and  this  learn- 
ed body  was  now  reduced  to  the 
neceflity  of  refufing  the  Sage  Zeb, 
the  fcourge  of  bablers,  the  perfec- 
tion of  wifdom. 

Tbe  prefident,  whofe  duty  it  was 
to  announce  this  difagreeable  news 
to  the  Sage,  fcarcely  could  refolve, 

nor 


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MISCELLANEOUS   ESSAYS.      135 


nor  knew  in  which  manner  beff,  ^to 
perform  his  office.  After  a  mo- 
ment's reflexion  he  ordered  a  flagon 
to  be  filled  with  water,  and  fo  full 
that  another  drop  would  have  made 
the  water  run  over.  He  then  defired 
them  to  introduce  the  candidate; 

The .  Sage  appeared,  with  that 
Ample  and  modeft.  air  which  gene- 
rally accompanies  true  merit.  The 
prefident  rofe,  and,  without  fpeak- 
ing  a  word,  pointed,  with  affliction 
in  his  looks,  to  the  emblematical' 
flagon  fo  exactly  full. 

The  Sage  underftood  from  thence 
the  vacancy  was  fupplied,  but,  with- 
out relinqui{h}ng  hope,  he  endea- 
voured to  make  them  comprehend 
thatafupernumerary  member  might, 
perhapsrbe  no  detriment  to  their 
iociety.  He  faw  on  the  floor  a  rofe- 
leaf,  picked  it  up,  and  with  care 
and  delicacy  placed  it  on  the  furface 
of  the  water,  fo  as  not  to  make  it 
overflow. 

All  the  academicians  immediately* 
clapped .  their  hands,  betokening 
applaufr,  when  they  beheld  this  in- 


genious-reply. They  did  more,  they 
broke  through  their  rules  in  favour 
of  the  Sage  Zeb.  The  regifter  of 
the  academy  was  prefeqted  him,  and 
he  inferibed  his  name. — Nothing  re- 
mained but  for  him  to  pronounce, 
according  to  cuttom,  a  fingle  phrale 
of  thanks.  But'  thi$  new,  and  truly 
fi  lent,  academician,  returned' thanks 
without  fpeaking  a  word. 

In  the  margin  of  the  register  be 
wrote  the  number  one  hundred  (that 
of  his  bretbren^then  put  a  cypher 
before  the  figures,  under  which  he 
wrote  thus : 

0100 

Their  value  is  neither  more  nor  Itfs, 

The  prefident,  with  equal  polite- 
nels  and  prefence  of  mind,  anfwered 
the  modeft  Sage,  by  placing  the 
figure  1  before  the  number  ioo,  and 
by  writing  under  them  thus : 

1100 
Their  value  is  ten-fold. 


k  + 


POETRY. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


t    I3«    1 


P      O     E      T      R      Y, 

t 

ODE  fir  the  NEW  YEAR,    1786. 
Written  by  the  Rent.  T.  Wamon,    Poet  Laureat. 


D1 


I. 

^EAR  to  Jove,  a  genial  ifle, 

____     Crowns  the  broad  Atlantic  wave  j 

The  feafons  there  in  mild  affemblage  fmile, 

"  And  vernal  bloflbms  clothe  the  fruitful  prime  t 

"  There,  in  many  a  fragrant  cave, 

"  Dwell  the  Spirits  of  the  brave, 
u  And  braid  with  amaranth  their  brows  fublime." 

So  feign'd  the  Grecian  bards,  of  yore  j 
And  veiTd  in  Fable's  fancy-woven  veft 

A  vifionary  fhore, 
That  faintly  gleam'd  on  their  prophetic  eye 
Through  the  dark  volume  of  futurity  : 
Nor  knew  that  in  the  bright  attire  they  dreft 

Albion,  the  green-hair'd  heroine  of  the  Weft  j 
Ere  yet  {he  claim'd  old  Ocean's  high  command, 
And  fnatch'd  the  trident  from  the  Tyrant's  hand. 

II. 
>w'd  the  royftic  rhime ! 
;  deeds  from  age  to  age, 
:  trophy-pi&ur'd  page : 
all  its  ftrength,  untam'd  by  time, 
s  her  valours  veteran  rage, 
•e's  cliffs,  and  fleepy  towers, 
eam'd  the  red  fulphureous  mowers, 
wn  hand  the,  dread  artillery  threw; 
•  along  the  midnight  main 
h  the  flaming  volley  drew : 
cnph'd  Eliott's  patient  train, 


Baffling 


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POETRY.  137 

Baffling  their  vain  confederate  foes ! 
And  met  the  unwonted  fight's  terrific  form^ 
And  hurling  back  the  burning  war,  arofe     ~"  , 

Superior  to  the  fiery  dorm  ! 

IIL 
Js  there  an  ocean,  that  forgets  to  roll 
Beneath  the  torpid  pole  ? 

Nor  to  the  brooding  tempeft  heaves  ? 
Her  hardy  keel  the  ftubborn  billow  cleaves. 
The  rugged  Neptune  of  the  wintry  brine 
In  vaift  his  adamantine  breaft-plate  wears  T 

To  fearch  coy  Nature's  guarded  mine, 
She  burfts  the  barriers  of  th'  indignant  ice  j 
0?er  funlefs  bays  the  beam  of  Science  bears : 
And  rouzing^far  around  the  polar  fleep, 

Where  Drake's  bold  enfigns  fear'd  to  fweep,     , 
She  fees  new  nations  flock  to  fome  fell  facrifice. 

She  fpeeds,  at  George's  fage  commandj 

Society  from  deep  to  deep, 
And  zone  to  zone  fhe  binds ; 

From  fhore  to  fhore,  o'er  every  land, 

The  golden  chain  of  commerce  winds. 
IV.      , 

Mean-time,  her  patriot  cares  explore 

Her  own  rich  woofs  exhauftlefs  (lore  5 

Her  native  fleece  new  fervour  feels, 

And  wakens  all  its  whirling  wheels, 

And  mocks  the  rainbow's  radiant  dye  : 
More  wide  the  labours  of  the  loom  fhe  fpreads, 
In  firmer,  bands  domeftic  commerce  weds,  . 
And  calls  her  filler  ifle  to  fhare  the  tie  - 

Nor  heeds  the  violence  that  broke 
From  filial  realms  her  old  parental  yoke ! 

V. 

Her  cities,  throng'd  with  many  an  Attic  dome, 
Aik  not  the  4>anner'd  baftion,  mafiy-proof$ 

Firm  as  the  cattle's  feudal  roof, 
Stands  the  Briton's  focial  home. — 
Hear,  Gaul,  of  England's  liberty  the  lot ! — 
Right,  Order,  Law,  protect  her  fimpleft  plain  j  - 
Nor  fcorn  to  guard  the  fhepherd's  nightly  fold, 

And  watch  around  the  foreft  cot. 

With  confeious  certainty,  the  fwain 

Gives  to  the  ground  his  trailed  grain, 
With  eager  hope  the  reddening  harveil  eyes} 

And  claims  the  ripe  autumnal  gold, 

The  mead  of  toil,  of  induftry  the  prize. 

%       For 


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ijS        ANNUAL   REGISTER,    1786. 

For  our's  the  King,  who  boafts  a  parent's  praife, 

Whofe  hand  the  people's  fceptre  fway3  -, 
*Ours  is  the  Senate,  not  a  fpecious  name, 
Whofe  a&ive  plans,  pervade  the  civil  frame  : 
Where  bold  debate  its  nobleft  war  difplays,  f 

And,  in  the  kindling  ftrife,  unlocks  the  tide 
'  Of  manlieft  eloquence,  and  rolls  the  torrent  wide. 

VI. 

Hence  then,  each  vain  complaint,  away, 

Each  captious  dpubt,  and  cautious  fear! 
v  Nor  blali  the  new-born  year, 
That  anxious  waits  the  fpring's  flow-fhooting  ray : 
Nor  deem  that  Albion's  honours  ceafe  to  bloom. 

With  candid  glance,  th'  impartial  Mufe 

Invok'd  on  this  aufpicioiis  morn, 
The  prefent  fcans,  the  diftant  fcene  purfues, 
And  breaks  Opinion's  fpeculative  gloom  ; 
Interpreter  of  ages  yet  unborn, 
Full  right  fhe  fpells  the  characters  of  Fate, 
That  Albion  ftill  Ihall  keep  her  wonted  ftate !    , 
,  Still,  in  eternal  ftory,  mine, 

Of  Victory  the  fea-beat  fhrine  ; 

The  fource  of  every  fplendid  art, 
Of  old,  of  future  worlds  the  univerfal  mart. 


ODE  for   bis  MAJESTY'S  Birth  Day,   June  4,  1786. 
Written  by  the  Rev.  T.  Wabtos,  Poet  Laureat. 

I 

eedom  nurs'd  her  native  fire 

ent  Greece,  and  rul'd  the  lyre  > .      ' 

inful,  from  the  tyrant's  brow 

ts  of  flattery  tore ; 

tlefs  power  their  willing  yow : 

rone  of  virtuous  kings, 

:one  of  their  vindictive  firings, 

unproftituted  fhore, 

eath  of  gratulation  bore.  , 

II. 

us  fmote  the  manly  chord  ; 
n  the  Perfian  lord  > 

indignation  hurl'd, 
minftrel  Haves  of  eaflern  fway, 
Thebes  extorting  confcious  fhame  j 

but. 


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POETRY.  i3f 

But  o'er  the  diadem,  by  Freedom's  flame 
Illum'd,  the  banner  of  renown  unfurl'd  : 

Thus  to  his  Hiero  decreed, 
.    'Mongft  the  bold  chieftains  of  the  Pythian  game, 
The  brighteft  verdure  of  Caftalia's  bay  5 

And  gave  an  ampler  meed 
Of  Pilan  palms,  than  in  the  field  of  Fame 
Were  wont  to  crown  the  car's  victorious  fpeed  :     , 
And  haij'd  his  fcepter'd  champion's  patriot  zeal, 
Who  mix'd  <he  monarch's  with  the  people's  weal  5 

From  civil  plans  wjio'claim'd  applaufe, 
And  train'd  obedient  realms  to  Spartan  laws. 

III. 
And  He,  fweet  matter  of  the  Doric  oat, 

Theocritus,  forfook  awhile 

The  graces  of  his  pa  floral  ifle, 

The  lowing  vale,  the  bleating  cote, 

The  clutters  on  the  funny  fteep,  , 

And  Pan's  own  umbrage,  dark  and  deep, 

,The  caverns  hung  with  ivy-twine, 

The  cliffs  that  wav'd  with  oak  and  pine,  ' 

And  Etna's  hoar  romantic  pile: 

And  caught  the  bold  Homeric  note, 

In  ftately  founds  exalting  high 

The  reign  of  bounteous  Ptolemy : 

Like  the  plenty-teeming  tide. 

Of  his  own  Nile's  redundant  flood, 

O'er  the  cheer'd  nations,  far  and  wide, 
Diffufing  opulence,  and  public  good : 

While  in  the  richly- warbled  lays 

Was  blended  Berenice's  name, 

Pattern  fair  of  female  fame,  ' 

Softening  with  domeftic  life 

Imperial  fplendour's  dazzling  rays, 

The  queen,  the  mother,  and  the  wife ! 

IV. 

To  deck  with  honour  due  this  feftal  dayy  » 

O  for  a  ftrain  from  thefe  fublimer  bards ! 
Who  free  to  grant,  yet  fearlefs  to  refufe 
°Their  awful  fuffrage,  with  impartial  aim 
Invok'd  the  jealous  panegyric  Mufe  5 
Nor,  but  to  genuine  worth's  feverer  claim, 

JTheir  proud  diftinction  deign'd  to  pay, 
Stern  arbiters  of  glory's  bright  awards  J     - 

For  peerlefs  bards  like  thefe  alone,     . 

The  bards  of  Greece,  might  bpft  adorn, 
With  feemly  fong,  the  Monarch's  natal  morn  -, 

Who, 


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MO        ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 

Who,  thron'd  in  the  magnificence  of  peace, 
Rivals  their  richeA  regal  theme :' 
Who  rules  a  people  like  their  own, 
In  arms,  in  poliih'd  arts  fupreme  $ 
Who  bids  his  Britain  vie  M&h  Greece, 


Verfes,fuppofedto  be  ^written  by  Alexander  Selkirk,  during  bhfolitary 
abode  in  the  Ijland  of  Juan  Fernandez.; 

From  Poems,  by  W,  Cowper,  Eff. 

I. 

1AM  monarch  of  all  I  furvey  $ 
My  right  there  is  none  to  difpute  $ 
From  the  centre  all  .round  to  the  fea,  - 

I  am  lord  of  the  fowl  and  the  brute. 

0  folitude !  where  are  the  charms 
That  fages  have  feen  in  thy  face  ? 

Better  dwell  in  the  midft  of  alarms, 
Than  reign  in  this  horrible  place. 

II. 

1  am  out  of  humanity's  reach, 

T  mnft  finifh  mv  innrntw  a\r\nm 

eech* 

tin, 
» 

nan* 
me. 


gain! 

ith, 
age, 
f  youth. 


A. 


But 


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P    O    E    T    R    Y.  141 

But  the  found  of  the  church-going  bell 

Tbefe  vallies  and  rocks  never  heard, 
Ne'er  figh'd  at,  the  found  of  a  knell, 

Or  fmiFd  when  a  fabbath  appear'd. 

V.  - 

Ye  winds  that  have  made  me  your  fport. 

Convey  to  this  defolate  fhore 
Some  cordial  endearing  report 

Of  aland  I  (hall  vifit  no  more. 
My  friends,  do  they  now  and  then  fend 

A  wiih  or  a  thought  after  me? 
O  tell  me  I  yet  have  a  friend, 

Though  a  friend  I  am  never  to  fee. 

*  vi: 

How  fleet  is  a  glance  of  the  mind  ! 

Compar'd  with  the  fpeed  of  its  flight, 
The  tempeft  itfelf  lags  behind,  • 

And  the  fwift-winged  arrows  of  light. 
When  I  think  of  my  own  native  land, 

In  a  moment  I  feem  to  be  there ; 
But  alas !  recollection  at  hand 

Soon  hurries  me  back  to  defpair. 

VII. 
But  the  fea-fowl  is  gone  to  her  neft, 

The  beaft  is  laid  down  in  his  lair, 
Ev'n  here  is  a  feafon  of  reft,  *    - 

And  I  to  my  cabin  repair. 
There  is  mercy  in  every  place, 

And  mery,  encouraging  thought! 
Gives  even  affli&ion  a  grace, 

And  reconcile*  man  to  his  lot. 


Report  of  ah  adjudged  Cafe  mt  to  be  found  in  any  of  the  Books. 
From  the  fame  Author. 

I. 

BETWEEN  Nofe  and  Eyes  a  ftrange  conteft  arofe, 
The  fpe&acles  fet  them  unhappily  wrong  j 
The  point  in  difpute  was,  as  all  the  world  knows, 
To  which  the  faid  fpe&acles  ought  to  belong. 

II, 

So  the  Tongue  was  the  lawyer,  and  argued  the  caufe 
With  a  great  deal  of  ikill,  and  a  wig  full  of  learning, 

While  chief  baron  Ear  fat  to  balance  the  laws, 
So  fam'd  for  his  talent  in  nicely  difcerning. 

III.  In 


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142        ANNUAL     REGIST  E,R, ,  1786. 

IIL 
In  behalf  of  the  Nofe,  it  will  quickly  appear, 

And  your  lordfhip',  he  faid,  will  undoubtedly  fifcd 
That  the  Nofe  has  iad  fpe&acles  always  in  wear. 

Which  amounts  to  poifeffion  time  out  of  mind, 

IV. 

Then  holding  the  fpectacles  up  to  the  court — 
x  0  Your  lordthip  obferves  they  are  made  with  a  ftraddle, 

As  wide  as  the  ridge  of  the  Nofe  is,  in  fhort, 
Defign'd  to  fit  clofe  to  it,  juft  like  a  laddie. 

V. 

Again,  would  your  lordfhip  a  moment,  fuppofe 
('lis  a  cafe  that  has  bappen'd,  and  may  be  again) 

That  the  vifage  or  qountenance  had  not  a  Nofe, 
Pray  who  wou'd  or  who  cou'd  wear  fpectacles  then  ? 

VI. 

On  the  whole  it  appears,  and  my  argument  fhews 
With  a  reas'ning  the  court  will  never  condemn, 

That  the  fpe£t  a  cles.  plainly  wore  made  for  the  Nofe>    . 
And  the  Note  was  as  plainly  intended  for  them. 

'    •  ViL  '  -•'    •' 

Then  fhifting  his  fide,  as  a.lawyer  knows  how, 

He  pleaded  again  in  behalf  of  the  Eyes; 

But  what  were  his  arguments  few  people  know, 

For  the  court  did  not  think  they  were  equally  wife. 

vm. 

So  his  lordfhip  decreed,  with  a  grave  folemn  tone, 
Decifive  and  clear  without  one  if  or  but  — 
Sofe  put  his  fpe&acles  on, 
ndle-light— Eyes  fhould  bs  fhut, v 


"cm  the  Gentleman's  Magazine)  is /aid  to  he  the 
II  kno<wn  in  the  political  World 9  <who  has  long 
he  hnppiejl  vein  of  <wit  and  humour,  and  is  not 
and  extenji've  knowledge  in  almofi  every  branch 


IUND    MALONE,   E/qt 

i  illumine  Shakefpeare's  page, 

the  future  critic's  rage, 
t  refine, 

1  pen  five  fit, 
ut  a  flream  of  wit, 
>ys  o'er  wine. 

At 


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POETRY.  14J 

At  Baia's  Spring,* of  Roman  fame, 
I  quaff  the  pure  aethereal  flame,' 

To  fire  my  languid  blood : 
Life's  gladfome  days,  alas  !  are  o'er, 
For  health's  phlogifton  now  no  more 

Pervades  the  ftagnant  flood-  ' 

Studious  at  times,  I  ftrive  to  fcan 
Hope's  airy  dream, — the  end  of  man, 

In  fyftems  wife  or  odd ; 
With  Hume,  I  Fate  and  Death  defy, 
Or  vifionary  phantoms  fpy  • 

With  Plato  and  Monbodd. 

By  metaphyfic  whims  dlftrefs'd, 

Still  fceptic  thoughts  difturb  my  breaft, 

And  reafon's  out  of  tune:— ^ 
One  ferious  truth  let  none  impeach, 
Tis  all  philofophy  can  teach,— 

That  man's  an  air-balloon. 

He  rides  the  fport  of  every  blaft, 
Now  on  the  wave,  or  defert  caft, 

And  by  the  eddy  borne  :— 
/  Can  boa  fled  Reafoti  fleer  him  right,  *  i 

Or  e'er  reftfain  his  rapid  flight, 

By  Paffion's  whirlwind  torn? 

His  mounting  fpirit,  buoyant  air, 

But  waft  him  'midft  dark  clouds  of  care,  x 

And  life's  tempeftuous  trouble ; 
Ev'n  though  he  mine,  in  fplendid  dyes,     ... 
And  fport  a  while  in  Fortune's  fkies, 

Soon  burfls  the  empty  bubble. 

While  through  this  pathlefs  wafte  we  ftray, 

Are  there  no  flowers  to  cheer  the  way  ?  » 

And  muft  we  ftill  repine  ? 
No;— -Heaven,  in  pity  to  our  woes, 
The  gently-foothing  balm  beftows 

Of  Mufic,  Love,  and  Wine. 

Then  bid  your  Delia  wake  the  lyre, 
Attun'd  to  Love  and  foft  Defire, 

And  fcorn  Ambition's  ftrife  -7 
Around  let  brilliant  Fancy  play,  ; 

To  colour  with  her  magic  ray 

The  dreary  gloom  of  life. 
Let  Beauty  fpeed  her  fondeft  kifs, 
The  prelude  to  more  perfect  blifs, 

And  fweet  fenfations  dart  $ , 

Whifc 


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144        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 

While  wine  and  frolic  mirth  infpire 
The  ardent  wifh,  the  apaorous  fire, 
And  thrill  the  raptur'd  heart. 

But  man  has  focial  dnes  to  pay, 
Beafon  and  Science  claim  the  fway, 

And  truths  fublime  dilpenfe ; 
Bor  Pleafure's  charms  we  feebly  tafte, 
If  idly  every  hour  we  wafte. 

The  abje&  flaves  of  fenYe. 

In  vain  the  fpeculative  mind  , 

Would  metaphyfic  regions  find,—* 

Such  dark  refearches  fpare : 
The  foul  aethereal  notions  tire, 
As  "her  frail  cafe  can  fcarce  refpire 

In  too  refin'd  an  air. 

To  Sophifts  leave  their  puzzling  fkillj 
The  voice  of  Reafon  whifpers  full, 

To  blefs,  is  to  be  bleft ; 
Illum'd  by  Virtue's  vivid  ray, 
Enjoy  the  prefent  fleeting  day, 

And  leave  to  Heaven  the  reft. 

Batb,  Sept.  22,  1784. 


PROLOGtJE  u  the  HEIRESS. 
Written  bj  the  Right  Hon.  RiCHAKB  FiTZPATKIC*.     * 
Sfohn  by  Mr.  King* 

AS  fprightly  fun-beams  gild  the  face  of  day, 
When  low'ring  tempefts  calmly  glide  away, 
So  when  the  poet's  dark  horizon  clears,* 
Array'd  in  fmiles,  the  Epilogue  appears. 
She  of  that  houfe  the  lively  emblem  (till, 
Whofe  brilliant  fpeakers  (tart  what  themes  they  will  $    . 
Still  varying  topics  for  her  fportive  rhymes, 
From  all  the  follies  of  thek  fruitful  times  > 
Uncheck'd  by  forms,  with  flippant  hand  may  cull : 
Prologues,  like  Peers,  fey  privilege  are  dull, 
•  In  folemn  ftrain  addrefs  th1  affembled.pit, 
The  legal  judges  of  dramatic  wit, 
Confining  ftill,  with  digniry'd  decorum, 
Their  obfervations— to  the  play  before  'eto. 

No* 


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P   6    E   'I4    R    ¥.  Us 

Now  when  each  batchelor  a  helpmate  lacksj  * 

(That  fweet  exemption  from  a  <aW/<?  /**) 
When  laws  are  fram'd  with  a  benignant  plan 
Of  lightening  burdens  on  the  married  man,  ,    ( 

And  Hymen  adds  one  folid  comfort  more, 
To  -all  thofe  (comforts  he  conferred  before  j 
Tq  fmooth  the  rough  laborious  road  to  fame* 
Our  Bard  has  chofen — an  alluring  name. 
As  weritfc  in  wedlock  oft  is  known  to  hide 
The  imperfections  of  a  homely  bride, 
This  tempting  title,  he  perhaps  expecls, 
May  heighten  beauties—  and  conceal  defe&s  : 
Thus  fixty's  wrinkles  view'd  through  Fortune's  glaftj 
The  rofy  dimples  of  fixteen  furpafs  : 
The  modern  Alitor  grafps  his  fair-one's  hand/ 
O'erlooks  her.perfon,  and  adores— her  land} 
Leers  on  her  houfes  with  an  ogling  eye, 
O'er  her  rich  acres  heaves  an  am  rots  figh. 
His  heartfelt  pangs  through  groves  of—  timber  ventSj 
And  runs  diftra&ed  for— her  three  per  cents. 

Will  thus  the  poet's  mimic  Heirefs  find 
The  bridegroom  critic  to  her  failings  blind, 
Who  claims,  alas  !  his  nicer  tafte  to  hit, 
The  lady's  portion  paid  mfierling  wit  ? 
On  your  decrees,  to  fix  her  future  fate, 
Depends  our  Heirefs  for  her  whole  eftate : 
Rich  in  your  fmiles>  fhe  charms  th'  admiring  town ', 
A  very  bankrupt,  Ihould  you  chance  to  frown ; 
O  may  a  verdift,  giv'n  in  your  applaufe, 
Pronounce  the  profp'rous  iflue  of  her  caufe, 
Confirm  the  name  an  anxious  parent  gave  her> 
And  prove  her  Heiress  of—  the  public  Javour  I 


EPILOGUE. 

Spoken  by  Mifs  FarRe*. 

THE  Comic  Mufe,  who  here  erecYs  her  flirincj 
To  court  your  offerings,  and  accepts  ofrmtie^         '   , 
Sends  me  to  ftate  an  anxious  author's  plea, 
And  wait  with  humble  hope  this  Court**  decree* 
By  no  prerogative  will  flic  decide, 

She  vows  an  Englifh  jury  is  her  pride.  % 

Then  for  our  Heiress— forc'd  from  finer  air, 
That  lately  fann'd  her  plumes  in  Berkley-fquare ; 
Wili  fhe  be  helplejt  in  her  new  refort, 
And  find  no  frien<b-—abovU  the  Inns  pf  Court  ? 

Vol.  XXVIII.  L  Sagts, 


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14*        ANNUAL   REGISTER,    17I6. 

Sages,  be  candid— tho*  you  hate  a  knave, 
Sure,  for  example,  you'll  a  Rightly  fave. 
Be  kind  for  once,  ye  chrks — ye  fportive  Sirs, 
Who  haunt  our  Theatres  in  boots  and  fpurs, 
So  may  you  fefely'prefs  your  nightly  hobby, 
Run  the  whole  ring — and  end  it  in  the  lobby. 
Lovers  of  truth,  be  kind,  and  own  that  here, 
That  love  is  ftrair>d  as  far  as  it  will  bear. 
Poets  may  write — Philfipbers  may  dream — 
But  would  the  *wW</bear  truth  in  the  extreme  ? 
What,  not  one  Blandifi  left  behind  \  not  one  ! 
Poets  are  mute,  and  painters  all  undone  : 
Where  are  thofe  charms  that  nature's  term  furvive, ' 
The  maiden  bloom  that  glows  at  forty. five  £ 
Truth  takes  the  pencil— <wrinkh -—frediles--/fuint, 
The  whole's  transformed — the  very  devil's  in't, 
Dimples  turn  fears,  the  fmile  becomes  a  fcowl ! 
The  hair  the  ivy-bufh,  the  face  the  owl. 

But  fhall  an  author  mock  the  flatterer's  pow'r  } 
Oh,  might  you  all  be  Blandijbes  this  hour  ! 
Then  would  the  candid  jurors  of  the  pit 
Grant  their  mild  paffport  to  'the  realms  of  wit  ^ 
Then  would  I  mount  the  car  where  oft  I  ride, 
And  place  the  favour'd  culprit  by  my  fide. 

To  aifl  our  flight— one  fafhionable  hint— 
\  See  my  authority — a  Morning  Print — 
"  We  learn"— obferve  it  ladies — u  France's  Queen, 
*'  Loves,  like  our  own,  a  heart-dire&ed  fcene  j 
«  And  while  each  thought  fhe  weighs,  each  beauty  fcans, 
"  Breaks,  in  one  night's  applaufe,  a  fcore  of  fans !" 

[Beating  her  fan  againfi  her  hand. 
Adopt  the  mode,  ye  belles — fo  end  my  prattle, 
And  Inew  how  you'll  out-do  a  Bourbon  rattle. 


J   PATHETIC    APOLOGY   fir  all    LAUREATS, 

pafi,  prefint,  and  to  come. 

.  From  Poems  by  W.  Whitehead,  Efi.  late  Poet  Lauteat. 

Veniant  ad  Cafaris  Aures! 
-\  < 

YE  filly  dogs,  whofe  half-year  lays, 
Attend  like  fatellites  on  Bays; 
And  ftill,  with  added  lumber,  load        '   '•  *  ' 
Each  birth-day  and  each  new-year  ode,, 

,     Whj 


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POETRY;  M7 

Why  will  yeftrive  to  be  fevere  ?  -» 

*In  pity  to  yourfclves  forbear ; 
Nor  let  the  ftteering  public  fee 
What  numbers  write  far  worfe  than'  he* 

His  mufe,  oblig'd  by  fack  and  penfiony 
Without  a  fubject,  or  invention— 
Muft  certain  words  in  order  fet, 
As  innocent  as  a  Gazette ; 
Muft  fome  half-meaning  half  difguife, 
And  utter  neither  truth  nor  lies. 

But  why  willyou,  ye  volunteers  ' 

In  nonfenfe,  teize  us  with  your  jeers; 
Who  might  with  dulnefs  and  her  cretf 
Securely  flumber  ?  Why  will^oa 
Sport  your  dim  orbs  amidft  her  fogs  ? 
You're  not  oblig'd— -ye  filly  dogs  !  • 

When  Jove,  as  antient  fables  fing* 
Made  of  a  fenfelefs  log  a  King, 
The  frogs,  at  firft,  their  deubts  expreft,; 
But  foon  leap'd  up,  and  fmok'd  the  jeft; 
While  every  tadpole  of  the  lake 
Lay  quiet,  tho*  they*  felt  it  quake; 
They  knew  their  nature's  due  degree, 
Themfelves  fcarce  more  alive  than  he;  , 

v  They  knew  they  could  not  croak  like  frogs* 
*— Why  will  you  try?— ye  filly  dogs! 

When  the  poor  barber  felt  aikance 
The  thunder  of  a  Quixote's  lance, 
For  merely  bearing  on  his  head 
Th'  expreflive  emblem  of  his  trade> 
The  barber  was  a  harmlefs  log, 
The  hero  was  the  filly  dog — 
What  trivial  things  are  caufe  of  quarrel ! 
Mambrino's  helmet,  or  the  laurel, 
Alike  diftract  an  ideot's  brain,     , 
"  Unreal  mockeries !"  fhadowy  pain! 

Each  Laureat  (if  kind  Heav'n  diipenf? 
Some  little  gleam  of  common  fenfe) 
Bleft  with  one  hundred  pounds  per  ann. 

And  that  too  tax'd,  and  but  ill  paid,  . 
With  caution  frames  his  frugal  plan, 

Nor  apes  his  brethren  of  the  trade. 
He  never  will  to  garrets  rife 
For  impiration  from  the  fkies ; 
And  pluck,  as  Hotfpur  would  have  done, 
"  Bright  honour  from  the  pale-fac'd  moor$" 
He  never  will  to  cellars-  venture,. 
To  drag  up  glory  from  the  ce'ntre ; 


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i48         ANNUAL    REGIST-ER,  1786. 


..I 


But  calmly  deer  his  courfc  between 

Th'  aerial  and  infernal  fcene ; 

— One  hundred  pounds !  a  golden  mean  ! 

Nor  need  he  afk  a  Printer's  pains, 
To  fix  the  type,  and  fhare  the  gains : . 
Each,  morning  paper  is  fo  kind 
To  give  his  works  to  every  wind. 
>  Each  evening  poft,  and  magazine, 
Gratis  adopts  the  Layferene. 
On  their  frail  barks  his  praife  or  blame 
Floats  for  an  hour,  and  finks  with  them; 
Sure  without  envy  you  might  fee 
Such  floundering  immortality. 
Why  will,  ye  then,  amidft  the  bogs, 
Thruft  in  your  oar  ?— ye  filly  dogs ! 

He  ne'er  defires  his  ftated  loan 
(T  honeftly  can  fpeak-for  one) 
Should  meet  in  print  the  public  eye  j 
Content  with  Boyce's  harmony,    . 
Who  throws,  on  many  a  worthlefs  lay, 
His  mufic  and  his  powers  away. 

Axe  you  not  charm'd,  when,  at  Varrxhall, 
Or  Marybone,  the  Syrens  fquall 
Your  oft-repeated  madrigals, 
Your  Nancies  of  the  hills  or  vales, 
While  tip-toe  miffes  and  their  beaux 
Catch  the  dear  founds  in  triple  rows, 
And  whifper,  as  their  happinefs, 
They  know  the  author  of  the  piece  ? 
This  vanity,  my  gentle  brothers, 
You  feel ;  forgive  it  then  in  others, 
At  leaft  in  one  you  call  a  dunce : 
The  Laureat's  odes  are  fung  but  once, 
And  then  not  heard— while  your  renown 
For  half  a  feafon  ftuns  the  town —   * 
Nay,  on  brown  paper,  fairly  fpread, 
'"'th  wooden  print  to- grace  its  head, 
h  barber  paftes  you  on  his  wall ; 
h  cobler  chaunts  you  in  his  ftall, 
i  Dolly,  from  her  matter's  ihop, 
ores  you,  as  fhe  twirls  her  mop. 
"hen  "  ponder  well,  ye  parents  dear'* 
works,  which  live  a  whole  half  year  >    ' 
d  with  a  tender  eye  furvey 
1  frailer  offspring  of  a  day, 
tofe  glories  wither  ere  they  bloom, 
iofe  very  cradle  is  their  tomb : 


Have 


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-POETRY.  149 

Have  ye  no  bowels,  cruel  men  ! 
You  who  may  grafp,  or  quit  the  pen, 
May  chufe  your  fubjecV  nay,  your  time, 
"Vyhen  genius  prompts  to  fport  in  rhyme 
Dependant  on  yourfelves  alone, 
To  be  immortal,  or  unknown  : 
Does  no  companion  touch  your  breaft 
For  brethren  to  the  fervfce  preft  ? 
To  Laureats  is  no  pity  due, 

Incumber'd  with  a  thoufand  clogs  ? 
I'm  very  fure  they  pity  you, 

—Ye  fillieft  of  all  filly  dogs. 

SONNET   from    PETRARCH. 
From  Elegiac  Sonnets,  by   Charlotte  Smith; 

OH !  place  me  where  the  burning  noon 
Forbids  the  withered  flow'f  to  blow  1 
Or  place  me  in  the  frigid  zone, 
On  mountains  of  eternal  fhow  : 

Let  me  purfue  the  fteps  of  fame, 

Or  poverty's  more  tranquil  roadj 
Let  youth's  warm  tide  my  veins  inflame, 

Or  fixty  winters  chill  jny  blood: 

Tho*  my  fond  foul  to  Heaven  were  flotfn, 

Or  tho'  on  earth  'tis  doom'd  to  pine, 
Prifoner  or  free — obfeure  or  known, 

My  heart,  oh  Laura  !  fttll  is  thine. 
Whate'er  my  deftiny  may  be, 

That  faithful  heart  Hill  burns  for  thee ! 


SONNET  from  PETttARCH,    From  the  fame. 

YE  vales  and  woods  !  fair  fcenes  of  happier  hours  ! 
Ye  feather'd  people,  tenants  of  the  grove  ! 
And  you,  bright  ftream  \  befring'd  with  fhrubs  and  flowers, 
Behold  my  grief,  ye  witnefles  of  love  ! 

For  ye  beheld  my  infant  paflion  rife, 

And  faw  thro'  years  unchang'd  my  faithful  flame  j 
Now  cold,  in  duft,  the  beauteous  object  lies,  ' 

And  you,  ye  confeious  fcenes,  are  ftill  the  fame ! 

.     Lj  While 


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?5o         ANNUAL    RE  GI  S-T'ER,  178$. 

While  bufy  memory  ftill  delights  to  dwell 

On  all  the  charms  thefe  bitter  tears  deplore, 
And  with  a  trembling  hanjd  defcribes  too  well 
,  The  angel  form  I  mall  behold  no  more ! 
To  Heaven  {he's  .tied  !  and  nought  to  me  remains 
But  the  pale  afhes,  which  her  urn  contains. 

( 
A     PARQDYw    "  Bhfi  as  tfr  immortal  Gods  is  he." 

Said  to  be  written  by  the  Hon.  Henry  Erskine. 

DRUNK  as  a  dragon  fure  is  he, 
The  youth  that  dines  or  fups  with  thee  5 
Ancl  fees  and  hears  thee,  full  of  fun,    ' 
Loudly  laugh,  and  quaintly  pun.  , 

Twas  this  flrft  made  me  love  my  dofe, 
And  rais'd  fuch  pimples  on  my  nofe  ; 
For  while  I  fill'd  to  every  toaft, 
My  health  was  gone.,  my  fenfes  loft. 

I  found  the  claret  and  Champaigne 
-    .       Inflame  my  blood,  and  mad  my  brain  -, 
Tne  toaft  fell  faulting  from  my  tongue, 
I  hardly  heard  the  catch  I  fung. 

I  felt. my  gorge  and  ficknefs  rife  5 
The  candles  dane'd  before  my  eyes  ; 
My  fight  grew  dim,  the  room  turn'd  round, 
I  tumbled  fenfelefs  on  the  ground  ! 

David  Garrick,  Ffq.fome  years  ago,  hadcccafion  to  file  a  hi! I'm  the  Court  of 
Chancery  againfi  an  Attorney  at  Hampton,  to  fit  afide  an  agreementfurrettiti- 
*vjly  obtained  for  the  fur  chafe  of  a  houfe  there  ;  and  while  the  late  Edmund 
Hoskins,  Efq.  was  frefarwg  the  draft  of  the  -bill,  Mr.  GarHick  wrote  him 
the  following  Lines, 

%  his  Counfillor  and  Friend,  Edmund  Hoskins,  Efq, 

Tom  Fool  fends  greeting. 
r\  N  your  care  muft  depend  the  fuccefs  of  my  fuit, 
rT       f  conteft  I  mean  'bout  the  houfe  in  difpute : 
Ilemember,  my  friend,  an  Attorney's  my  foe, 
And  the  worft  of  his  tribe,  though  the  beft  are  fo-fo; 
Jn  law,  as  in  life,  I  know  well  'tis  a  rule, 
That  a  knave  will  be  ever  too  hard  for  a  fool  • 
To  which  rule  one  exception  your  client  implores, 
lnat  a  fool  may  for  once  turn  the  knave  out  of  doors. 

EPIGJRAM 


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P    O    E  •  T    R    Y.    '  151 

EPIGRAM. Mr  the  phrafe,   «  Killing  Time." 

By  Voltaire. 

/  (Tune  // fuppofed to fptal.) 

*r  T     ORSQUE,  pour  s'amafer,  fans  ceffe  ils  s'evertuent 
"    l_y  Ces  Meiiieurs  les  humains,  ils  difent  qu'ils  nie  tuent; 
"  Moi,  je  ne  vante  de  rien, 
<#  Mais,  ma  fois,  je  men  venge  bien." 

"  There's  fcarce  a  point  wherein  mankind  agree, 
"  So  well  as  in  their  boaft  of  killing  me: 
€t  I  boait  of  nothing,  but  when  I've  a  mind, 
"  I  think  I  can  be  even  with  mankind." 

EPITAPH  on  Sir  William  Draper,    K.  B. 

By  Christopher  Anstey,   Efy. 

H.  S.  E. 
Vir  fummis  cum  animi,  turn  Corporis  Dotibus   ' 
Egregie*  ornatus 
GULIELMUS  DRAPER,   Balnei  Ejuts, 
In  Schola  Etonenfi  educatus, 
Coll :  deinde  Regal : '  Cantabrigiae 
Et  Alumnus  et  Socius ; 
Quorum  utrumque 
Tarn  moribus,  quam  Studiis  honeftavit : 

Altiore  tamen  a  Natura  Ingenio  praeditus 
Quara  ut  umbratili 
In  Academiae  Otio  delitefceret> 
Ad  Militiae  Laudem  fe  totum  contulit, 
Et  in  diverfis  Europae  Afiaeque  partibus 
Stipendia  meruit. 

In  India  orientali  A.  D.  1758, 
Exercitui  regio  imperavit, 
Obfeflamque  a  Gall  is  Sti.  Georgii  Arcem 
Qum  diQ  fortiter  defendiflet, 
Strcnua  tandem  fa&a  Euruptione, 

Hoftium  Copias, 
Cap  to  Legionis  Praefetto,  repulit. 

L  4  Flagrante 


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i$2        ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

Flagrante  poftea  Hifpanienfi  Bello,        * 
Anno  1762, 
Expeditions  contri  Ma   ill  as 
Au&or  idem  et  Dux  fait : 
Quitros  expugnandis,  dubium  reliquit, 
Britannia  Nomen 

Virtute  magis, 
An  dementia  infigniverit. 

Vale, 

Dux  acer! 

Vir  manfuete*  liberalis  !— 

Hoc  fidum  tuarum  Virtutum, 

Spe6tataeque  a  pueris  Amicitis, 

Pofteris  Exemplar  tradam. 

Ob:  Jan.  A.  D.  1787. 
iEtat.  66. 


C.J> 


Fir  the  T<wo  following  original  Pieces,  <we  are  indebted  to  em  old  Friend,  nuhoff 
former  Communications  have  been  favourably  received  by  the  Public* 

AN  AC  REONTIQUE, 

Jddrqffed,  m  a  far  Country,  td  a  once  New  Year. 

\  RE  the  white  hours  for  ever  fled, 
T\  That  us'd  to  mark  the  chearful  day  ? 
And  every  killing  pleafure  dead, 
That  led  th*  enraptur'd  foul  aflray  ? 
Too  faft  the  rofy-footed  train 
The  bleft  delicious  moments  pafs'd  j 
Pleafure  muft  now  give  way  to  pain, 
And  grief  fucceeds  to  joy  at  laft. 
O,  daughters  of  eternal  Jove ! 
Return  with  the  returning  year, 
Bring  pleafure  back  again,  and  love, 

kh  heavenly  {miles  again  appear; 

bring  my  H- y  to  my  fight ! 

tiat  happy  hour  will  then  be  by  ? 

d  while  I'm  dying  with  delight, 

r  foul  fhall  fpeak  through  either  eye. 

Let  facred  friendfhip  too  attend, 

e  man  whofe  fouljs  moil  like  mine, 

ng  B ,  my  ever-deareft  friend, 

d  fill  the  bowl  with  rofy  wine : 

We'll 


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POETRY.  153 

Well  grafp  the  minutes  as  they  pafs, 
Unconfcious  of  all  future  woes  : 
Mirth,  love,  and  joy,  fhall  crown  each  glafs, 
And  call  our  forrows  to  Our  foes.  .    , 
Let  every  white  and  happy  hour 
Which  fate  has  to  my  life  decreed, 
With  rofy  wings  its  ^leflings  mower, 
And  each  in  order  ftill  fucceed : 
But  when  the  (hort-'liv'd  fmiling  ftore 
No  longer  can  my  blifs  engage, 
Cut  off  the  ufelefs  thoufands  more, 
And  add  them  to  fome  coward Vage. 


PORTRAIT  of  a  Provincial  Put,   drawn  from  the  Life,    about 
Forty  Years  ago, 

HOW  happy  the  foet,  how  void  of  all  care, 
Who  wifhes  for  nought,  who  has  nothing  to  fear, 
Whe  has  nothing  to  lofe — money,  houfes,  or  lands, 
Nor  a  foot  of  the  earth,  but  the  ground  where  he  ftands !  „ 

Whilft  madmen  are  fighting,  and  bluftering  for  fame. 
And  defolate  worlds  to  purchafe  a  name ; 
Whilft  the  beggarly  miier  is  watching  his  ftore,> 
And  never  content,  ftill  wide  grafping  for  more  $ 
His  foul  far  fuperior,  ne'er  centring  m  felf ,  , 

Laughs  at  folly's  wild  rage,  and  defpifes  the  pelf. 

In  friendfhip  ftill  true,  and  in  love  ftill  refin'd, 
His  friend  and  his  miftrefs  poflefs  his  full  mind  y 
But  wayward  in  conduct,  averfe  to  all  rule, 
By  fools  deem'd  a  madman,  by  wife  men  a  fool, 
He  flies  from  their  ftrife  to  the  brook  or  the  grove. 
And  knows  no  defire*  but  his  mule  and  his  Love; 


AccotTNT 


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>54      AN'NllAL   REGISTER,'^, 


Account  of  Books  for  1786. 


J he  Hiftojy  of  Ancient  Greece,  /'// 
Cohnies,  and  Conqufjlsy  Jrom  the 
tarlteft  Accounts  till  the  Divifion  of 
the  Macedonian  Empire  in  the  Eaft ; 
including  the  Hijlory  of  Literature, 
Philofopby,  and  the  Fine  Arts, 
in  2  Vols.  By  John  Gillies, 
LL.D. 

IT  is  with  pleafure  we  behold 
every  attempt  which  tends  to  il- 
luftrate  and  record  the  annals  of  that 
country,  in  which  the  human  mind 
firft  attained  that  degree  of  maturity 
and  perfection  which  Succeeding  ages 
iiave  always  found  it  difficult  to 
maintain,  and  which  they  have  cer- 
tainly never  furpaffed. 

The  main  defign  of  the  work  be- 
fore us,  as  the  author  informs  us  in 
the  preface  to  it,  is  confined  to  the 
fpace  of fe<ven  centuries y  which  elapfed 
from  the  fettlement  of  the  Greeks 
in  Afia  Minor  until  the  eftabliih- 
ment  of  the  Macedonian  empire 
in  the  Eaft.  But  previous  to  the 
commencement  of  that  period,  he 
has  in  the  two  firft  chapters,  and 
in  the  beginning  of  the  third,  ex- 
hibited a  view  of  the  progrefs  of 
civilization,  and  power  in  Greece, 
preceding  the  Trojan  war— he  has 
given  a  hiftory  of  that  war  — of  its 
confequences— of  the  religion,  go- 
vernment, arts,  manners,  and  cha- 
racter of  the  Greeks  during  thofe 
ages—  of  their  diftra&ed  Hate  after 


the  taking  of  Troy — and  of  the  fet- 
tlement of  the  Dorians  in  Pelopon- 
nefus  under  the  conduct  of  the  Hera- 
cleidae. 

Through  the  darknefs  and  ob- 
fcurfty  of  this  part  of  the  Grecian 
hiftory,  Dr.  Gillies  marches  with 
great  confidence  and  boldnefs.  He 
has  endeavoured  by  reafon  and  con- 
jecture, fometimes  perhaps  fucces- 
fully,  to  unite  the  clue  where  it  was 
broken,  and  to  make  it  more  obvi- 
ous where  it  was  concealed.  The 
narrative  is  well  conducted,  and  not 
uninterefting,  particularly  to  thofe 
who  may  be  unacquainted  witli  the 
fources  from  which  he  has  drawn  it. 
The  learned,  it  is  likely,  will  expect 
fome  more  abftrufe  and*  elaborate 
refearches  into  the  -antiquities  of 
Greece,  and  fbrae  fources  of  infor- 
mation difclofed  which  were,  hither- 
to known  only  to  the  few.  The 
materials  themfelves  it  certainly  re- 
quired no  very  extraordinary  com- 
pafs  of  learning,  or  minutenefs  of 
invefligation,  to  difcover ,  but  the 
difpofition  and  arrangement  of  thofe 
materials  are  well  conceived,  and 
(excepting  a  few  inftances  of  un- 
warrantable phrafeology,  proceed- 
ing, as  it  mould  feem,  from  an  ill- 
judged  ambition  to  aggrandize  by 
often tatious  language  the  moft  com- 
mon ideas)  the  execution  in  gene- 
ral is  not  unworthy  of  the  fubjeft. . 
But  of  this  we  fhall  have  occafion 

t* 


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ACCOUNT    OF    BOOKS. 


155 


tp  fpeak  more  at  large  when  we 
come  to  fum  up  the  aggregate  me- 
rit of  the  work.  In  proof  of  what 
we  have  in  this  place  advanced 
refpccting.it,  we  (hall  lay  before 
our  readers  a  few  fpecimens  from  the 
part  which  has  already  parted  under 
review. 

Of  the  happy  effects  produced  on 
the  manners  of  the  Greeks  by  the 
Argonautic  expedition,  the  author 
thus  lpeaks : 

"  Notwithstanding  many  roman- 
tic fictions  that  disfigure  the  ftory 
of  the  Argonauts,  their  undertak- 
ing appears  to  have  been  attended 
with  a  considerable  and  a(  happy 
effect  on  the  manners  and  cha- 
racter of  the  Greeks.  From  the 
sera,  of  this  celebrated  expedition, 
we  may  difcover  not  only  a  more 
daring  and  more  enlarged  fpirit  of 
enterprize,  but  a  more  decifive  and 
rapid  progrefs  towards  civilization 
and  humanity.  ,The  fullen  and  un- 
fociable  chiefs,  whofe  acquaintance 
with  each  other  moft  commonly 
arofe  from  acts  of  mutual  hoftility, 
jiitherto  gave  full  fcope  to  the  fan- 
guinary  paflions  which  characterize 
barbarians.  Strength  and  courage 
were  almort  the  only  qualities  which 
they  admired :  they  fought  and  plun- 
dered at  the  head  of  their  refpec- 
tive  tribes,  while  the  inhabitants 
of  the  neighbouring  districts  were 
regarded  only  as  fit  objects  to  ex- 
cite their  rage,  and  gratify  their 
rapacity.  But  thefe  gloomy  war- 
riors, having  exerted  their  joint 
valour  in  a  remote  expedition,  learn- 
ed the  neceffity  of  acquiring  more 
amiable  virtues,  as  well  as  of  adopt- 
ing more  liberal  notions  of  the  pub- 
lic intereft,  if  they  pretended  to  de- 
ferve  the  Wieem  of  their  equals. 
Military  courage  and  addrefs  might 
alone  procure  them  the  refpect  of 


their  immediate  followers,  fince  the 
fafety  of  the  little  community  of  tea 
depended  on  the  warlike  abilities  of 
the  chieftain  j  but  when  Several 
tribes  had  combined  in  a  common 
enterprize,  there  was  lefs  dependance 
on  the  prowefs  of  any  Single  leader. 
Emulation  and  intereft  rendered  all 
thefe  leaders  as  jealous  of  each  other 
as  defirous  of  the  public  applaufe  j 
and  in  order  to  acquire  this  applaufe, 

(it  was  neceffary  to  brighten  the 
luStre  of  martial  fpirit  by  the  more 
valuable  virtues  of  juftice  and  hu- 
manity." 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  fecond 
chapter,  the  author,  having  before 
taken  a  general  review  of  the  Grecian 
manners  and  character,  has  drawn 
up  an  eflimate  of  their  value,  as  com" 
fared  'with  the  rude  cuftoms  of  favage 
life,  and  the  artificial  refinements  of  . 
pdijhed fociety.  We  here  prefent  it 
to  the  reader,  as  affording  no  bad 
fpecimen   of  the   authors   turn   of' 

1  mind  and  opinion,  as  well  as  manner 
of  writing. 

"  The  Greeks,"  fays  he,  "  had  . 
advanced  beyond  that  uniform  in- 
fipidity  of  deportment,  that  fullen 
ferocity  of  manners,  and  that  har- 
dened infenfibility  of  heart,  which 
univerfally  characterize  the  favage 
State.  ^They  (till  poffeffed,  how- 
ever, that  patient  intrepidity,  that 
noble  fpirit  of  independence,  that 
ardent  attachment  to  their  friends, 
and  that  generous  contempt  of  pain  . 
and  danger,  and  death,  which  ren- 
der the  defcription  of  the  wild  tribes 
of  America  fo  interesting  to  a  phi- 
lofophic  mind.  Of  two  principal 
enjoyments  of  life,  Study  and  con-i- 
veriation,  they  were  little  acquaint- 
ed, indeed,  with  the  confolations 
and  pleafure  of  the  firft,  the  want 
of  which  was  compensated  by  the 
fincerity,  the  confidence,  the  charms 

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156        ANNUAL   REGISTER,  1786. 


of  the  fecond.    Their  focial  affec- 
tions  were   lefs   comprehenfive   in 
their   objects,   but  •  more   powerful 
in  their  effedb,  than  thofe  of  more 
polifhed  nations.     A  generous  chief 
mines  to  certain  death,  to  revenge 
the  caufe  of  his  friend  j  *yet   re- 
fufes  to  the  prayers  of  an  aged  pa- 
rent the  melancholy  confolatton  of 
interring   the   remains  of   his    fa- 
Tourite  fon  5   till  the  correfponding 
image  of  his  own  father  ftrikes  his 
jnind>   and  at  once   melts  him  to 
pity.      The   imaginary  wants  and 
artificial  pa  (lions  which  are  fo  ne- 
ceifary  to  urge  the  hand  of  induftry, 
andrto  vary  the  purfuits  of  men,  in 
improved  commercial  focieties,  were 
fupplied  to  the  Greeks  by  that  ex- 
ceffive  fen  Ability,  which  interefted 
them  fo  deeply  in    the  affairs  of 
their  community,  their  tribe,  their 
family,    and     their    friends  -,     and 
which  even  connected  them  by  the 
feelings  of  gratitude  with  the.  in- 
animate obje&s  of  nature.     As  they 
were  not  acquainted  with  the  fame 
diverfity  of  employments,   fo   nei- 
ther were  they  fatigued  with  the 
fame  giddy  round  of  diffipated  plea- 
lures  which  augment  the  fplendid 
mifery  of  later  times.    Though  ig- 
norant of  innumerable  arts  which 
adorn  the  prefent   age,   they   had 
difcovered  one  of  ineftimable  value, 
to  render   the  great  duties  of  life 
its   moft    entertaining   amufement. 
It  will  not,    perhaps,    be  ealy  to 
point  out  a  nation    who  united   a 
more  complete  fubordination  to  efta- 
blifhed  authority  with  a  higher  fenie 
cf  perfonal   independence ;    and   a 
more  rcfpe&ful  regard  to  the  dic- 
tates of  religion  with  a  more  ardent 
fpirit  of  martial  enterprize.      The 
'  generous  equality  of  their  political 
cftabliihments,  and  their  imagined 
intercourfe  with  the  gods,  confpired 


to  raife  them  ta  a  certain  eleva- 
tion  of  character  wtiich  will  be  for 
ever  remembered  and  admired.  This 
character  was  rendered  permanent 
in  Sparta  by  the  famous  laws  com- 
monly afcribed  to  the  invention  of 
Lycurgus,  but  which,  as  will  ap- 
pear in  the  fubfequent  chapter, 
were  almoft  exa&  copies  of  the 
cuffams  and  inftitutions  that  uni- 
verfally  prevailed  in  Greece  during 
the  heroic  ages." 

In  the  paffages  above  quoted  the 
reader  will  perceive  an  accuracy  of 
thinking  whrch  befpeaks  the  author 
a  man  who  has  ftudied  human  life 
with  no-  fmall  diligence,  and  pof* 
felling  a  mind  that  has  been  much 
employed  in  jthe  exercife  of  its  re- 
flective powers.  The  condition  of 
man,  in  the  infancy  and  in  the  old 
age,  of  fociety,  is  ft  a  ted  with  preci- 
fion,  and  the  limits  are  determined 
where  barbarifm  ends,  and  where 
refinement  begins  to  degenerate  into 
vice. 

The  migrations  which  took  place 
among  the  Hellenic  tribes,  occupy 
great  part  of  the  next  chapter  :  after 
which  the  author  proceeds  to  the 
main  fubjeft.  It  is  neither  our  de- 
sign nor  our  bufinefs  to  follow  him 
through  ever^  part  6f  the  work :  that 
were' to  write  a  commentary  on  it, 
not  to  give  a  general  eftimate  of  its 
value,  which,  we  conceive,  more 
'  properly  belongs  to  our  province. 

In  forming  our  judgment  of  the 
proper  ftyle  of  hiflory,  it  feems 
au  obvious  confideration,  that,  as 
the  materials  about  which  it  is 
employed  differ  from  each  other 
in  all  the  degrees  of  great  and 
little,  light  and  important,  com-  ' 
mon  and  extraordinary,  *its  tone,  if 
we  may  fo,  fay>  mould  be  varied  ia- 
fuch  a  manner  as  bed  to  accord 
with  the  nature  of  the  circumftance : 

and 


Digitized  by  VjQCXjlC 


ACCOUNT    OF    BObXS. 


*57 


*nd  that,  therefore,  it  fhould  occa- 
sionally aflume  all  tho  correfpondn 
ing  varieties  of  high  and  low,  loud 
and  foft,  plain  and  magnificent. 
The  pretentions  of  our  hiftorian, 
considered  udder  this  important  ar- 
ticle of  merit,  we  are  lorry  to  ob- 
serve, have  the'  leaft  claim  to  our 
approbation  j  though,  it*  we  may 
judge  from  the  pains  he  has  be- 
llowed, it  feems  to  have  been  a 
principal  object  of  his  ambition  to^ 
fucceed  in  it?  But  thus  in  other  in- 
fiances  it  happens,  that  the  child  of 
our  warmed  aifection  moil  frequent- 
ly di&ppoints  our  hopes.  Who  can 
without  regret  behold  the  author, 
in  many  parts  of  his  work,  anxiouf- 
ly  ltraining  the  whole  power  of  his 
eloquence,  where  a  bare,  unadorned 
recital  only  is  required  5  and  again, 
when  the  fubject,  by  its  real  im- 
portance, demands  a  fuitable  digni- 
ty and  eminence  of  ftyle,  betraying 
his  exhaufted  ftrength,  and  dege- 
rating  by  a  natural  progrefs  into  the 
jfxtrenie  of  puerility  and  emptinefs  ? 
But  left  we  ihould  appear  fevere  or 
unjuft  in  our  cenfure,  we  felect  as 
our  authority  the  following  paf- 
fages,  from  many  others  of  a  fimi- 
lar  character  to  be  met  with  in  the 
courfe  of  the  work. 

Among  the  difafters  which  befel 
the  Athenians  in  Sicily,  the  follow- 
ing is  mentioned : 

"  The  troops  marched  ou%  under- 
cover of  the  night,  and  in  the  fame 
order  which  they  had  hitherto  ob- 
served. But  they  had  not  proceed- 
ed far  in  this  nocturnal  expedi- 
tion, when  the  obfcurity  of  the  Ikies, 
the  deceitful  tracks  of  an  unknown 
and  boftile  country,  filled  the  mod 
tfmid  or  unfortunate  with  imagi- 
nary terrors.  Their  panic,  as  is  ufual 
in  great  bodies  of  men,  was  fpeedi- 
ly  communicated  to  thofc  arouad 


them' 5  and  Derabftherie*,  with  a- 
bove  one  half  of  his  divifion,  fa- 
tally miftook  the  road,  and  quitted, 
never  more  to  rejoin,  the  reii  of 
the  army." 

The  incident,  every  one  fees,  i* 
natural  atid  common  enough:  but 
who  will  fay  that  the  relation  of  it 
is  fo  ?  Such  a  pompous  ailemblage 
of  epithets,  and  the  pathetic  antici- 
pation of  Demofthenes's  fate,  would 
have  better  fuited  the  mock  dignity 
of  romance. 

imagination  can  fcarcely  form  to 
itfelf  a  fcene  of  more  dreadful  af- 
fliction than  that  which  the  Athe- 
nian army  prefented  in  its  retreat 
from  the  camp  before  Syracufe,  But 
let  us  fee  how  it  is  exhibited  by  the 
pencil  of  our  hiftorian. 

"  They  had  abandoned  their  fleet, , 
their  tranfports,  the  hopes  of  vic- 
tory j  and  the  glory  of  the  Athenian 
name ;  and  thefe  collective  fufier- 
ings  were  enhanced  and  exafperated 
by  the  painful  images  which  ftruck 
the  eyes  and  the  fancy  of  each  un-  ' 
fortunate  individual.  The  mangled 
bodies  of  their  companions  and 
friends,  deprived  of  the  facred  rites 
of  funeral,  affected  them  with  a  fen- 
timent  of  religious  horror,  on'which 
the  weaknefs  of  human  nature  is 
happily  unable  to  dwell.  They  re- 
moved their  attention  from  this 
dreadful  fight ;  but  they  could  not 
divert  their  companion  from  a  lpec- 
tacle  ftill  more  melancholy,  the  nu- 
merous crowds  of  lick  and  wound- 
ed who  followed  them,  with  en- 
feebled and  unequal  fteps,  intreating, 
In  the  accent  end  attitude  of  un- 
utterable anguiih,  to  be  delivered 
from  the  horrors  of  famine,  or  the 
rage  of  an  exafperated  foe.  Amidft 
fuch  affecting  fcenes,  the  heart  of 
a  ftranger  would  have  melted  with 
tender  Sympathy ;   but  how  much 

more 


Digitized  by  LjC 


153        ANNUAL     kEGtSfHK,  i726. 


more  rauft  it  have  affe&ed  the  A- 
thenians,  to  lee  their  parents,  bro- 
thers, children,  and  friends,  in- 
volved in  unexampled  mifery !  to 
hear,  without  the  poifibility  of  re- 
lieving, their  lamentable  complaints! 
and  reluctantly  to  throw  the  cling- 
ing victims  from  their  wearied  necks 
and  arms  P      • 

I^t  the  ingenuous  reader  confult 
his  own  feelings,  and  honeftly  tell 
us,  whether,  in  the  above  descrip- 
tion, an  idea  of  the  author  himfelf 
does  not  frequently  interpofe  itfelf 
between  his  companion  and  the  pro- 
per objects  of  it. 

But  while  we  cenfure  the  execu- 
tion of  particular  parts,  we  do  not 
mean  that  our  objection  fhould  be 
extended  to  the  whole  of  the  per- 
formance. We  could  have  wiftied, 
indeed,  that  the  ftyle,  confideved  in 
its  general  character,  had  been  more 
chafte,  and  lefs  laboured  j  that  the 
author  had  been  lefs  folicitous  to 
recommend  the  matter  by  his  elo- 
quence, tli an  his  eloquence  by  the 
matter  $ — making  that  which  in  its 
own  nature  is  of  but  fecondary  con- 
federation (being  intended  only  as 
the  vehicle  of  pleafure)  fubfervient 
to  the  higher  purpofes  of  the  latter, 
whofe  main  end  is  utility. 

That  the  defect;  above  remarked 
does  hot  generally  prevail  through- 
out the  work,  every  one  who  reads 
it  will  eafily  be  convinced,  ftilany 
are  the  paflages  that  might  be  pro- 
duced, of  which  good  writing  ap- 
pears to  be  not  the  leafl  merit.  We 
will  initance  only  in  one  or  two  >  the 
limits  of  our  p|an  not  permitting  us 
to  indulge  any  further  the  wifh  to 
do  juftice  as  well  to  the  merits  as  the 
faults  of  our  hiftorian.  The  account 
given  in  the  3  2d  chapter,  of  Plato's 
Cofmogony,  cannot  but  be  high- 
ly acceptable  to  every  matt  of  true 


tafte,  as  well  as  to  the  fchblar.  T?of 
the  perufal  of  fuch  it  is  here  fub- 
joined. 

"  Impelled  by  his  goodnefs,  the 
Deity,  viewing  in  his  own  intellect 
the  ideas  or  archetypes  of  all  pofli- 
ble  exiftence,  formed  the  beautiful 
arrangement  of  the  univerfe  from 
that  rude  indigefted  matter,  which, 
exifting  from  all  eternity,  had  been 
for  ever  animated  by  an  irregular 
principle  of  motion.  This  principle, 
which  Plato  calls  the  iiYati6nal  foul 
of  the  world,  he  thought  fufticiently 
attefted  in  the  innumerable  devia- 
tions from  the  eftabliihed  laws  of 
nature,  in  the  extravagant  paflions 
of  men,  and  in  the  phyfical  and  mo- 
ral, which,  in  confequence  of  thefe 
deviations  and  paflions,  £0  vifibly 
prevail  in  the  world.  Without  ad- 
mitting a  certain  ftubborn  intracta- 
bility, and  diforderly  wildnefs,  ef- 
fential  to  matter,  and  therefore  in- 
capable of  being  entirely  eradicated 
or  fubdued,  it  feemed  impoffible  to 
explain  the  origin  of  evil  under  the 
government  of  the  Deity." 

In  the  next  paragraph  the  author 
proceeds  to  explain  the  doctrine  of 
ideas;  which  we  fhall  tranferibp 
for  the  fame  reafon  as  we  did  the 
former. 

"  From  thefe  rude  materials,  (fay* 
he)  God,  according  to  the  fancifjul 
doctrine  of  Plato,  formed  the  four 
elements,  and  built  the  beautiful 
ftructure  of  the  heavens  and  the 
earth,  after  the  models  of  thofe  ex- 
ternal exemplars,  or  patterns,  which 
fubfht  in  the  divine  intelligence. 
Coniidering  that  beings  potfeffed 
of  mental  powers  were  far  prefer- 
able to  thofe  deftitute  of  fuch  fa-, 
culties,  God  infufed  into  the  cor-^ 
poreal  world  a  rational  foul,  which, 
as  it  could  be  immediately  combined 
with  body,  he  united  to  the  ac- 
tive* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ACCOUNT    OF    BOOKS. 


»5f 


tive,  but  irrational  principle,  effen- 
tially  inherent  .in  matter.  Having 
thus  formed  and  animated  the  earth, 
the  fun,  the  moon,  and  the  other 
vifible  divinities,  the  great  Father  of 
fpirits  proceeded  to  create  the  in- 
vifible  gods  and  daemons,  whofe 
tfature  and  hiftory  Plato  describes* 
with  a  refpectful  reverence  for  the 
religion  of  his  country.  After 
finithing  this  great  work,  the  God 
of  Gods  again  contemplating  the 
ideal  forms  in  his  own  mind,  per- 
ceived there  the  exemplars  of  three 
fpecies  of  beings,  which  he  realized 
in  the  mortal  inhabitants  of  the 
earth,  air,  and  water.  The  talk  of 
forming  thefe  fenfible,  but  irrational 
beings,  he  committed  to  the  ipferior 
divinities:  becaufe,  had  this  laft 
work  likewife  proceeded  from  his 
own  hands,  it  muft  have  been  im- 
mortal like  the  gods.  The  fouls 
of  men,  on  the  other  hand,  he  him- 
felf  formed  from  the  remainder  of 
the  rational  foul  of  the  world.  They 
fir  ft  exifted  in  the  ftate  of  daemons, 
only  inveiled  with  a  thin  aethereal 
body.  Having  offended  God  by 
neglecting  their  duty,  they  were  con- 
demned to  unite  with  the  grols  cor- 
poreal mafs,  by  which  their  divine 
faqulties  are  fo  much  clogged  and 
encumbered.'* 

Had  our  author  always  written 
thus,  it  had  been  vain  to  blame, 
(fuch  are  the  words  of  a  great  cri- 
tic and  philofopher  on  a  fimilar 
occasion)  and  ufelefs  to  praife  him. 
Here  we  behold  grace  and  ftrength 
united  :  the  underftanding  and  the 
fancy  receive  each  its  proper  grati- 
fication. 

Upon  the  whole,  then,  the  work 
before  us,  on  a  fair  and  accurate 
furvey,  will  be  found  to  poffefs  a 
very  confiderable  mare  of  merit. 
It  contains  much  ufeful  information 


both  for  the  fcholar  and  the  parent. 
What  we  deem  mod  generally  ex-  •  * 
ceptionablein  it  is  theftyle,  of  which, 
we  have  already  fpoken .  The  order 
of  time  and  of  facts  are  as  well  pre- 
ferved  as  their  nature  will  admit* 
In  the  obfurity  attending  remote 
periods  and  early  teftiraony,  much 
will  necellarily  be  left  to  the  pene- 
tration and  ingenuity  of  the  hif- 
torian  :  and  it  will  not  be  denied 
that,  in  this  part  of  his  talk,  Dr. 
Gillies  has, in  fome  degree  improved 
upon  the  labours  of  his  predecef- 
fors.  The  feries  of  events  pro- 
ceeds in  orderly  fuccellion ;  nor  is 
the  main  fubject  fo  crouded  with  in- 
cidents as  to  diffipate  the  reader's  at- 
tention by  prefenting  to  it  at1  one 
time  too  great  a  variety  of  objects ;  . 
every  figure,  as  it  were,  of  the  piece 
being  placed  at  fuch  a  diftance  as  to 
appear  in  itfelf  a  perfect  one,  at  the 
fame  time  not  diminifhing,  but  aid- 
ing and  heightening  the  effect  of  the 
whole.  The  hiftorical  account  of  let- 
ters and  philofophy,  judicioufly  inter1- 
pofed  at  proper  intervals  through- 
out the  work,  muft  needs  render  it 
doubly  valuable. 


An  Account  of  State  Papers,  collecled 
by  Edward  Earl  of  Clarendon, 
Vol  III.  Folio. 

SOON  after  the  unfortunate  end 
of  Charles  the  Firft,  Charles  the 
Second,  together  with  fuch  of  the 
late  king's  counfellors  as  followed 
the  fortunes  of  the  fon,  rendezvoufed 
at  the  Hague. 

Amongft  the  different  meafures 
here  adopted  for  the  fupport  of  that 
forlorn  condition,  which  they  found 
themfelves  reduced  to,  it  was  re- 
folved,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1649,  that  the  lord  Cottington  and 

fir 


digitized  by  G00gle 


i6o        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786, 


Sir  Edward  Hyde  fhould  be  fcnt 
ambaifadors  to  Madrid,  to  promote 
their  malt-r's  intereft  at  that  court. 

The  volume  of  date  papers  now 
before  us  commences  at  this  period, 
and  finifhes  with  the  recognition  of 
parliament  in  favour  of  Charles  the 
fecond,  in  May  i66o\  It  contains 
a  regular  and  almoft  uninterrupted 
feries  of  the  proceedings,  councils, 
views,  and  profpe6ts  of  Qwles  the 
fecond,  his  followers  and  adherents, 
from  1  he  time  of  his  quitting  Eng-. 
land  to  his  reftoration  -  a  period  in 
•which  the  abilities,  judgment,  and 
tmlicy  of  many  of  thofe  who  figured 
in  it,  are  more  to  be  weighed  and 
considered  than  the  apparent  mag- 
nitude or  confequence  of  their  ope- 
rations. Their  lphere  of  a6tion  was 
cou fined,  and  limited,  and  to  enlarge 
it  required  certain  extraordinary  and 
uuforefeen  events  to  co-operate  with 
and  alfiit  great  management  and  ex- 
ertion. They  had  to  combat  with  the 
folly  and  levity  of  fome  of  their  own 
affociates,  and  dexteroufly  to  comply 
with  the  ih  if  ting  interefts  and  policy 
of  almoft  all  the  ftates  in  Europe. 
It  was  by  con  fen  ting  to  become 
the  temporary  infiruments  of  almofl 
every  court,  to  be  taken  up  or  laid 
down  as  occafion  ferved,  that  they 
procured  to  themfelves  a  precarious 
exittence.  But  to  exift  was  every 
thing,  where  fo  much  was  to  be  left 
tq  events  and  contingencies,  which 
they  neither  could  forelee  nor  con- 
troul. 

The  firft  feries  of  letters  are  from 
Sir  Edward  Hyde  to  Mr.  fecretary 
Nicholas.  Thele  letters  are  quite 
of  a  confidential  nature,  written  by 
one  friend  to  another,  where  the 
moft  unrelerved  communication  of 
the  writers  thoughts  and  opinions, 
leipe&ing  the  ftate  of  their  affairs, 


and  refpefting  the  characters  of  hii 
afTociates,  and  of  almoft  all  thofe 
with  whom  he  a&ed,  feems  to  have 
taken  place.    The  period  they  com- 

-prife  is  from  the  year  1649  to  x*\54 
inclufiye. 

During  the  greateft  part  of  this 
time,  Charles  die  fecond  refided  at 
the  court  of  France,  and  the  then 
fubfifting  boftilities  between  Crom- 
well and  that  kingdom  created  a 
precarious  afylum  for  the  fugitive 

.  monarch.  But  the  poverty  and  dif- 
trefs  of  himlelf  and  afTociates,  even 
at  this  juncture,  cannot  better  be  con- 
ceived than  from  the  following  let- 
ter from  Sir  Edward  Hyde  to  fecre- 
tary Nicholas,  dated  from  Paris  27th 
June  16 33,  which  we  fhall  beg  leave 
to  lay  before  our  readers. 

Sir  Edward  Hyde  to  Secretary 
Nicholas. 


Dear  Mr.  Secretary, 

"  I  HAVE  your  39th  of  the  19th 
of  this  month,  and  I  thank  you 
for  the  copy  of  the  Spanifh  ambaf- 
fa  dor's  memoir.  I  believe  that  peace 
will  not  hold  long,  and  that  the 
rebels  of  England  have  promifed 
the  Spaniard  notable  alfiflance  to- 
wards the  fetting  that  war  on  foot 
again  \  and  we  fhall  now  fee,  upon 
the  fuccefs  of  their  late  encounter, 
what  their  purpofe  is,  and  whether 
all  this  fuite  and  noife  about  the 
money  at  London  hath  been  by  col- 
lufion  -j  for  if  now  they  are  matters 
at  fea,  they  fhall  transport  men  to 
Bourdeaux,  as  fome  men  imagine 
they  will,  then  hath  that  money  been 
from  the  beginning  defigned  to  that 
purpofe,  and  I  find,  this  people  here 
are  very  jealous  of  their  friendfhip. 
I  do  not  fo  much  apprehend  a  peace 
between 


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ACCOUNT    O P    BOOKi 


%6i 


between  the  rebels  and  the  Dutch 
upon  a  treaty  with  their  deputies 
whom  they  are  now  fending,  as  that 
the  Englifh  may  affift  that  party  in 
Holland,  which  they  depend  upon 
to  compel  the  other  provinces  to  do 
as  they  require,  for  there  is  no  quef* 
tion  they  will  require  fuch  condi- 
tions as  muft  abfolutely  deftroy  the 
liberty  of  that  people,   and  make 
them  fubordinate  to  the  other.    The 
princefs  royal  hath  written  to  the 
King  that  fhe  will  flay  at  Bruffels 
till  fhe  receives  his  next  letter,  and 
if  he  continue  his  defire,  that  fhe 
will  return  to  Breda,  fo  that  it  is  not 
yet  impoffible  but  that  very  unfea- 
fonable  and  indeed  ridiculous  jour- 
ney may  be  yet  diverted.    I  have 
fbme  little  reafbn  to  imagine  that 
the  princefs  doth  intend  to  do  juftice 
in  the  cafe  of  Monf.  Somerdyke, 
but  it  breaks  my  heart  to  fee  now 
negligent  the  is  of  old  friends.   The 
king  writ  to  her  for  a  place  for  the 
fon  of  Boreel,  who  Waits  upon  the 
prince  of  Orange,  but  fhe  hath  be- 
llowed it  upon  another,  which  ex- 
ceedingly troubles  Boreel,  who  every 
day  deferves  as  much  from  the  king 
as  is  poffible.   If  any  thing  you  hear 
from  others  of  the  plenty  add  bra- 
very of  our  court  makes  impreflion 
upon  you,  I  have  no  credit  with  you  j 
I  am  fure  the  penury  is  not  to  be 
imagined  by  you.    It  is  very  true, 
I  do  not  know  that  any  man  is  yet 
dead  for  want  of  bread,  which  re- 
ally I  wonder  at  $  I-  am  fure  the 
king  himfelf  owes  for  all  he  hath 
eaten  lince  April,  and  I  am  not  ac- 
quainted with  one  fervant  of  his  who 
hath  a  piftole  in  his  pocket  j  five  or 
fix  of  us  eat  together  one  meal  a  day 
for  a  piftole  a  week,  but  all  of  us 
owe  for  God  knows  how  many  weeks 
to  the  poor  woman  who  feeds  us.    I 
believe  my  lord  of  Ormond  hath  not 
Vol.  XXVIII. 


had  five'  livres   in  his  purfe  this 
month,  and  hath  fewer  clothes  of  all 
forts  than  you  have,  and  yet  I  take 
you  to  be  no  gallant.  If  two  or  three? 
(I  do  not  think  there  are  fo  many) 
are* without  vifible  want,  I  am  fure 
they  are  not  fupplied  by  our  mailer, 
arid  therefore  there  is  great  cruelty 
and  ill-nature  in  our  friends  in  Eng- 
land in  making  thofe  excufes  for 
their  not  doing  what  they  ought  to  - 
do  :  they  would  with  much  grudg- 
ing bear  the  wants  and  neceffitiea 
which  the  bell  here  are  compelled 
to  undergo  $  and  therefore  if  they 
will  not  relieve  us,  they  lhould  noi 
flander  and  traduce  us.    I  believe 
we  are  bad  enough,  but  fure  we  are 
made  much  worfe  than  we  are,,  and 
they  who  are  3t  eafe  too  much  en- 
quire into  our  faults,  that  they  may 
excufe  themfelves  for  want  of  com- 
panion of  our  misfortunes,  and  their; 
cenforioufnefs  and  ill -nature  will  in 
the  end  drive  all   thofe  from  the 
court  who  are  fitted  to  live  in  it* 
for  few  can  fubmit  to  neceffities  antf 
reproaches  at  once.     *  *  *  *    X 
have  faid  all  I  can  in  my  late  letters, 
upon  the  remove  of  the  king  from 
this  place,  and  therefore  fhall  add 
no  more,  but  that,  let  us  fpeak  of  it 
as  much  as  we  can,  and  I  hope  fe- 
rioufly,  it  will  be  I  doubt  more  than 
a  month  before  we  can  be  ready  for 
it,  then  our  neceffities  and  beggary 
will  be  manifeft  when  we  are  to  ujof 
and  for  the  advancement  of  that  Fer* 
vice,  the  cardinal  now  fays  he  Can 
furnifh  but  half  the  futn  of  money 
he  hath    even  promifed  the  king 
fhould  be  ready  at  24  hours  warn- 
ing 1  fo  that  you  need  not  fear  we] 
fhall  make  too  much  hade,  yet  I 
hope  we  fhall  be  going  fhortiy,  an4 
I  doubt  not  many  letters  from  hence 
will  inform  the  correspondents  that 
we.  ihall  begin  our  journey  in  ten 
M  days. 


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l6i       ANNUAL   REGISTER,-  1786. 


days.  The  truth  is.  thejr  who  will 
conclude  our  remove  unfeafonable, 
ought  as  well  to  underftand  the  dif- 
ficulties and  inconveniences  of  our 
ftay,  which  are  not  to  be  underva- 
lued. I  hope  you  advife  your  friends 
in  England  to  treat  the  Dutch  de- 
puties with  that  refpect  which  they 
v  (hewed  to  their  ambafladors  at  the 
Hague,  and  to  demand  fuch  high 
Conditions  as  may  make  the  Dutch 
fenfible  of  their  overfight  when  they 
firft  prefumed  to  contend  with  them ; 
and  truly  if  the  noble  Englifli  take 
lefs  than  the  old  cautionary  towns, 
they  are  to  blame,  and  exa&  treble 
damages  for  the  injuries  they  have 
fuliained.  Since  they  are  refolved 
to  fend,  l,wi(h  their  deputies  were 
gone,  that  they  apd  we  might  know 
the  worft  that  is  to  follow.  Since  I 
writ  to  you  concerning  your  intelli- 
gencer, the  king  himfelf  hath  writ 
to  one  he  trulls,  to  know  what  money 
he  can  pay  upon  order,  and  as  foon 
ask  any  return  comes  fuch  direction 
fhall  be  fent  as  you  require ;  in  the 
mean  time  you  muft  let  Mr.  Ne- 
ville know  that  the  king  takes  him- 
felf beholden  to  him  for  a  good  fer- 
vice  he  did  him  not  long  fince,  and 
that  he  looks'  upon  him  as- a  true 
friend.  *  *  #  *  *  My  laft  to  you 
brought  you  all  that  difpatch  to  Den- 
mark which  you  wiihed  for.  1  do 
now  begin  to  wonder  that  we  hear 
h5t  from  our  good  lord  Went  worth  5 
indeed, I  hope  for  fome  fruit  from 
that  court,  which  is  deeply  engage 
ed.  I  hear  indeed  that  my  wife 
hath  ventured  a  journey  to  Breda  to 
kifs  the  princefs  royal's  hand,  but- 1 
6annot  imagine  that  fhe  intends  to 
yifit  the  Hague  j  if  me  does,  it  will 
be  for  lotfe  of  you,  and  I  ihall  grow, 
jealous*  And  fo I  havegone  through 
yours,,  and*  have  very  little  to  add; 
tot  havipg  stay,  kind  of  meafure  to 


judge  by  of  the  purpoies  of  thi« 
court,  which  feems  to  be  repoifefled 
of  their  old  power,  though  they  ufe 
it  with  more  warinefs  and  modefty 
than  before  it  met  with  any  checks^ 
Our  mailer  went  yefterday-  to  St. 
Germain's,  and  on  Monday*  that 
court  comes  hither,  to  be  prefent 
the  next  day  at  a  magnificent  enter- 
tainment at  the  Hotel  de  Ville,  in 
vindication  of  the  fedition  which* 
was  a&ed  there  on  the  fame  day  the 
laft  year.  Why  may  not  you  and  I 
live  to  be  prefent  at  the  fame  folem- 
nities  #t  the  Guild-hall  and  Mer- 
chant TaylorVhall  ?  Truft  me,  if 
the  fault  be  not  in  ourfelves,  we  lhall- 
fee  that  blefled  day.  I  have  juft  now 
a  letter  from  London  that  affures 
me,  if  the  deputies  come  thither 
from  your  ftates,  they  fhall  be  treat- 
ed as  their  ambafladors  were  at  the 
Hague.  That  they  will  have  cau- 
tionary towns,  and  that  the  Dutch 
fhalt  no  more  have  fhips  of  war  at 
fea,  but  fhall  drive  their  trade  un- 
der the  protection  of  their  fleets  in 
all  feas  :  it  is  a  good  temper,  and  I 
hope  it  will  be  kept  up.  *  God  fend 
us  a  good  meeting,  nothing  elfe  will 
keep  up  the  fpirits  of 
Dear  Mr.  Secretary, 

Your  own/'  &c* 

Paris y  this  2 ftb  of  June,  1 65  3. 
'  An  .original. 

Towards  the  clqfe-of  the  year 
1654,  the  treaty  concluded  between 
Cromwell  and  France  made  it  necef- 
fary  for  the  king  and  his  council  t» 
quit  that  kingdom,  which  they  ac- 
cordingly did,  and  took  up  their  refi- 
dence  in  the  Autirian  Flanders.  The 
letters,  at  this  period,  from  Sir  B& 
ward  Hyde,  the  marquis  of  Ormond, 
lord  BriitoJ,  and  from  feveral  others 
of  the  king's  council  and  followers, 
.     relate 


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ACCOUNT,  OF    BOOKS. 


163 


relate  chicfty  to  the  treaty  which 
Gharles  the  Second  now  fet  on  foot 
with  Spain  5  the  main  obje&  of 
which,  as  .far  as  it  concerned  him, 
was,  "  that  the  Spaniards  fhould 
affift  him  with  a  body  of  troops,  to  be 
landed  on  fuch  part  of  thccoaft  of 
England  as  fhould  be  deemed  moil 
proper,  and  which  Was  then  to  co- 
operate with  his  majefty's  adherents 
in  England  and  Scotland/' 

The  different  negotiations  car- 
ried on  with  the  Spanilh  minifters 
to  forward  and  put  this  project  in 
motion,,  form  a  coniiderable  part  of 
the  letters  from  the  year  1654  to 
i<558. 

All  attempts  however  of  this  na- 
ture proved  abortive ;  and  the  Spa- 
niards found  themfelves  too  deeply 
engaged  in  their  war  againft  France, 
aiSfted  by  the  protector  Cromwell, 
to  grant  any  effe&ual  aid  to  the  caufe 
which  they  had  efpoufed. 

Nothing  can  be  conceived  more 
fallen,  more  degraded,  or  more  irre- 
trievable, than  the  affairs  of  Charles 
the  Second  at  this  juncture.  The 
Spanifh  army  retiring  on  all  fides 
before  themarfhalTurenne,  made  a 
peace  for  them  on  any  terms  abfo- 
lutely  neceffary.  The  Englifh  were 
in  pofTeflion  of  Dunkirk,  and  their 
alliance  at  that  moment  of  fuch  con- 
fluence to  France,  as  enabled  them 
to  dictate,  through  the  medium  of 
tha£  court,  the  terms  upon  which 
fuch  a  peace  fhould  4>e  granted. 
Under  fuch  circumftances  it  is  npt 
fuppofing  too  much  to  conclude, 
that  the  iirft  preliminary  ftep  to- 
wards an  accommodation,  would  be, 
that  Spain  fhould  renounce  and  de- 
liver up  the  royal  fugitive.  The 
letter  from  the  earl  of  Briflol  to  the 
king,  during  this  defperate  flate  of 
his  affairs,  we  ihall  inlert  here. 


The  earl of  Briflol  to  the King. 

*  *  **  «  OUR  army  is  retired 
behind  the  canal  that  goes  from 
hence  to  Dixmude ;  but  what  the 
enemy's  next  defign.  will  be  is  not 
more  than  guefTed  at  5  fome  think 
they  will  firft  take  Furnes,then  pufh 
us  farther  back,  and  poffefs  them- 
felves of  Dixmude,  and  afterwards 
attack  Ypres;  others  believe  they 
will  take  fome  other  places  upon  the 
Lis,  and  others  (I  think  as  probable 
as  any)  that  La  Ferte  will  inveft 
Cambray,  or  fome  confiderable  place 
of  Hainault,  and  then  this  army  fall 
thither,  leaving  the  Englifh  to  make 
the  war  on  this  fide,  who  are  in  fo 
full  pofTeflion  of  Dunkirk,  that  it  is 
confidently  a  (lured,  that  they  re- 
fufed  to  admit  Mr.  de  Turenne  with 
more  than  fix  or  eight  perfons  of  his 
ftiite :  it  is  as  true,  and  methinks  as 
ftrange,  that  Mardike  is  altogether 
remitted  into  the  French  hands.  In 
fine,  Sir,  they  have  but  to  pick  and 
chufe,  for  we  have  little  to  oppofe 
which  way  foever  they  turn  their  de- 
fign. Thus  much  for  news  3  as  for 
thofe  things  wherewith  I  am  en- 
charged,  your  majefty  will  find  the 
account  of  them  in  this  inclofed  to 
my  lord  chancellor,  who  would  be. 
too  angry  with  me  if  I  did  not  write 
to  him  a  long  letter,  and  indeed  I 
am  in  too  much  pain  to  be  able  (hav- 
ing no  fecretary  with  me)  to  write 
at  large  of  the  fame  things  both  to 
your  majefty  and  him,  and  of  the 
two  I  prefume  more  upon  your  good 
nature  than  upon  his.  I  fhdl*  only  • 
add,  that  I  intend,  God  willing,  to 
be  at  Ghent  before  the  end  of  this 
week  5  where  I  defire  to  know 
where  I  may  wait  upon  your  majefty, 
together  with  the  lord  chancellor 
and  lord  Ormond,  for  certainly  fome  * 

Ma  quick. 


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1*4         ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 

quick  refolution  is  to  be  taken  con- 
cerning your  perfon  and  affairs,  and 
1  begin  to  be  clear  to  myfelf  in  what 
I  ought  to  advife  concerning  both, 
which  when  you  command  roe  I 
thai)  do  with  all  franknefs  and  fide- 
lity/' 

Newport,  this  $d  of  July,  1658. 
An  origriUiL 


The  death  of  the  protector  Oliver, 
which  followed  on  the  3d  of  Sep- 
tember, 1658,  difpelled  tbofe  threat- 
ening clouds  which  endangered  the 
very  exiftence.of  Charles  the  Se- 
cond, and  feemed  for  a  moment  to 
prefent  him  with  a  more  immediate 
profpeft  of  attaining  his  object. 
The  firflletter  that  appears  with  an 
account  of  the  protector's  death  is 
from  Mr.  Howard  (then  a  prifoner 
va  London)  to  the  ford  chancellor 
llyde.  This  letter,  and  one  writ- 
ten on  the  fame  occafion  by  lord 
Culpepper  to  the  chancellor,  we 
fhall  lay  before  our  readers :  the 
latter,  indeed,  contains  fo  much 
good  fenie,  and  fuch  found  reflec- 
tions and  obfervations  on  the  then 
pofture  of  the  king's  affairs,  that  it 
cannot  be  too  much  admired. 

Mr.  Fifhex  <Howard)    to  the  Lord 
Chancellor  Hyde. 

"  My  Lord, 

"  YOU  cannot  expect  a  large 
and  particular  account  of  things 
from  a  perfon  under  reftraint  5  yet  a* 
ateftimony  that  I  flill  retain  a  fenfe 
of  the  duty  I  owe  to  his  majeuy  and 
your  lordfhip,  I  have  made  a  fhift 
to  Ileal  an  opportunity  for  this  fhort 
correfpondence  in  the  concealment 
of  our  old  character.  To  this  I  am 
the  more  forward,  as  being  defirous 
to  be  an  early,  though,  I  defpair  of 
being  the  nrit  meilenger  of  thofe 


happy  tidings  which  have  put  *a 
countenance  of  victory  already  upon 
all  England,  and  will,  I  doubt  not, 
be  as  welcome  to  you  as  'tis  believ- 
ed it  will  be  advantageous  unto  your 
affairs.  Yefterday  it  pleafed  God, 
out  of  his-  infinite  goodnefs,  to  do 
that  which  he -would  not  allow  any 
roan  the  honour  of  doing,  putting  an 
end  to  the  life  of  him,  under  the 
weight  of  whofe  tyranny  thefe  dif- 
treffed  kingdoms  have  groaned 
many  years.  In  the  evening  bis" 
elddit  fon  was.  declared  his  fuccefibr, 
and  this  whole  day  has  been  fpent 
in  the  pageantry  of  fuch  folemnities 
as  the  occafion  required.  All  men's 
hearts  (alraoft  quite  dead  before) 
are  of  a  fudden  wonderfully  revived 
to  an  expectation  of  fome  great 
change,  and  good  men  are  the  more 
encouraged  to  hope  that  the  effects 
of  (b  altogether  an  unexpected  pro- 
vidence will  be  of  much  good  to  the 
kingdom,  N  as  obferving  that  God 
himfelf  teems  to  have  undertaken 
the  work,  having  thus  feafonablv  re- 
moved the  great  obftructor  of  our 
happinefs  by  his  own  handi  Oh  ! 
for  God's  fake,  my  lord,  as  yon  ten- 
der the  happinefs  of  that  good  king, 
and  the  welfare  of  bleeding  king- 
doms, let  not  delays  lofe  the  bene- 
fit of  fuch  an  happy  juncture,  nor 
fufter  vain  hopes  and  confidences  in 
falfe  friends  any  longer  to  fruftrate 
your  defigns  and  delude  your  coun- 
fels.  Here  is  yet  no  face  of  oppofi- 
tion  in  the  army,  or  any  part  of  it. 
Some  there  are  who  conceive  great 
hopes  (how  well  grounded  I  know 
not)  of  Monk's  defection  5  I  can 
fay  nothing  to  the  contrary,  I  fhall 
be  glad  if  it  prove  fo,  which  a  little 
time  will  fhew,  but  'tis  not  to  be 
depended  upon,  unlefsyour  own  cor- 
refpondencies  with  him  give  you 
better  afiurance  than  either  common 

fame 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


ACCOUNT    OF    BOOKS. 


x6S 


fame  or  opinion.  Mr.  Stephens  is 
in  Scotland  with  Monk  at  this  time ; 
who  knows  what  their  difcon tents 
(for  I  believe  they  want  not  their 
difcon  tents)  may  work  them  to? 
This  is  chimera,  God  forbid  you 
fhould  have  no  better  ftarT  to  lean 
upon.  Lord  Fairfax,  and  Lambert, 
are  they  both  quite  dead  ?  I  wifh 
Lambert  were  dead,  for  I  find  the 
army  much  devoted  to  him,  but  I 
cannot  perceive  that  he  is  any  way 
to  be  reconciled  to  the  king  $  fo  that 

•  *tis  no  fmall  danger  that  his  reputa- 
tion with  the  army  may  thruft  Dick 
Cromwell  (who  (its  like  an  ape  on 
horfeback)  out  of  the  faddle,  and  yet 
not  help  the  king  into  it  j  this  would 
r  be  a  malo  ad  pejus.  But  for  Fairfax, 
fure  he  might  be  brought  to  fome- 
thing,  and  the  rather  by  reafon  of 
his  (on,  the  duke  of  Buckingham's 
imprifonment.  For  my  own  part, 
my  lord,  I  am  and  ever  fhall  be 
ready  to  my  power  to  obey  all  com- 
mands you  (hall  pleafe  to  lay  upon 
me.  Since  the  tyrant's  death,  I  am 
freed  from  many  fears,  which  before 
were  upon  me  \  he  did  exprefs  (as 
I  am  informed)  very  much  rancour 
againft  me,  and  I  do  verily  believe, 
that  if  he  had  lived  he  would  have 
been  wanting  in  no  point  of  cruelty 
towards  me  $  he  had  figned  a  war- 
rant for  my  commitment  to  the 
Tower,  fix  weeks  fince,  but  it  has 
pleafed  God  to  hinder  the  execution 
of  it,  firrl  by  the  death  of  his  daugh- 
ter, afterwards  by  his  own,  and 
fince  by  the  diffraction  of  affairs  -, 
hence  it  comes  to  pafs  that  I  am  as 
yet  in  this  place,  but  not  without 
every  day's  fear  of  being  lent  to  the 

v  Tower.  I  have  never  yet  been  ex- 
amined,  but  am  told,  that  they  po- 
sitively conclude  me  to  have  had 
correspondence  with  you,  and  to 
have  been  divers  time's  in  Flanders. 
t  am  ajfo  tolo>  that  the  old  tyrant 


boafted  that  he  had  been  acquaint- 
ed with  all  my  motions  and  actions 
above  this  year,  and  that  he  had  his 
information  from  one  that  was  my 
chief  confidant.  This  might 'jultly 
give  me  occafion  to  fufpect  Will- 
man,  but  I  have  had  more  caufe  to 
fufpect  him  fince,  upon  two  unde- 
niable and  unanfwerable  demonrtra'- 
tions  5  one  is,  that  the  officers  of 
this  garrifon,  by  direction  without 
doubt  from  Thurloe,  have  been  with 
me  enquiring  of  mcA.if  I  did  not 
know  fir  William  Compton,  and  fir 
R.  Willis,  alluring  me  of  my  liberty 
if  I  would  difcover  them,  and  threat- 
ening me  with  the  Tower,  &c.  if  I 
were  obftinate:  to  all  thefe  enqui- 
ries, promifes,  and  threats,  I  an- 
fwered  that  I  did^  indeed  know  fir 
William  Compton,  and  fir  R.  Willis 
by  fight,  having  fometirnes  feen 
them  in  tranjituy  but  that  I  had  not 
any  acquaintance  at  all  with  them, 
much  lefs  had  I  any  correspond;* 
ence  with  them  or  any  others  about 
thofe  things  they  did  enquire  \  here»  * 
upon  they  were  very  angry,  telling 
me,  that  I  had  better  have  dealt 
more  ingenuoufly,  for  they  did 
know  all  my  practices,  which  I 
ihould  foon  be  made  to  underftand, 
cum  multis  aiiis.  What  can  beTnore 
plain  than x this?  I  am  fure  none 
but  Wildman  "could  difcover  this. 
Two  or  three  days  after  I  was 
ufed  with  forae  feverity  5  but  when 
they  did  find  that  I  was  regardlefs 
of  it,  they  returned  to  a  little  more 
lenity,  which  has  been  continued 
ever  fince.  The  other  demonftra- 
tion  is  plainer  than  this ;  fince  my 
confinement  I  have  had  fome  dif- 
courfe  with  one  who  was  in  the 
late  engagement  with  colonel  Stape- 
ley,  and  he  not  knowing  that  Wild- 
man  was  known  to  me,  made  it 
plain,  by  many  circumltances,  that 
Wildman  and  captain  Biftiop  were 
M  3  the 


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166       ANNUAL    REG  1ST  ER,    1786. 


the  firft  difcoverers  of  that  defign. 

0  tempora,  O  mores/  The  reafon 
why  fir  W.  Compton  and  fir  R. 
Willis  are  releafcd,  and  I  am  not 
examined,  I  fuppofe  is,  that  Wild- 
man  may  not  be  difcovered  to  have 
been  the  traitor,  hoping  that  they 
may  make  ufe  of  him  for  a  fpy  here- 
after. This  I  the  rather  conjecture, 
becaufe  Wildman  lent  to  me  to  af- 
fure  me  that  he  is  honeft,  and  to  de- 
lire  me  to  have  a  good  opinion  of 
him ; '  but  this  bait  will  not  take. 
Mr..  Stephens  does  take  much  pains 
to  excufe  hirofelf  (as  I  hear)  but  all 
he  can  fay  does  only  excufe  him  a 
Van  to,  not  a  toto :  betwixt  thele  two 
millftones  I  am  grinded  to  powder. 

1  fee  I  am  not  to  expe&  my  liberty,, 
till  force  fhall  free  me,  for  every 
one  does  tell  me  that  Thurloe  is  not 
to  be  inclined  to  any  favour  without 
a  great  ranfom,  and  that  nothing, 
lefs  than '523 1.  is  to  be  named  to 
him  j  it  is  altogether  impoflible  for 
me  to  provide  fuch  a  fum  without 
your  affiftancej  and  truly,  my  lord, 
I  cannot  value  myfelf  at  fo  high  a 
rate,  as  to  think  myfelf  fo  much  de- 
ferving  your  care,  elpecially  con  fi- 
ltering your  condition,  and  the 
charge  I  have  been  to  you  already. 
*  y  J*  *  Let  me  hear  from  you, 
and  if  you  can  fpeak  comfortably, 
comfort  a  poor  prifoner,  who  does 
earneftly  pray  for  you,  and  is, 

Yours,  &c." 
James's,  Sept.  4,  1658. 
An  original. 

Lord  Culpepper  to  the  Lord  Chancellor 
Hyde. 

"  I  TAKE  it  for  granted  this 
change  in  England  will  require  your 
conftant  attendance  at  Hockftraten, 
which  makes,  me  addrefs  this  letter 
thither,  and  I  fhall  follow  it  as  foon 


as  my  young  mailer  (hall  have  fealed 
fome  writings  betwrxt  him  and  his 
relations,  which  (they  being  ready 
engrofTed  here,  and  he  fent  for)  I 
hope  will  be  done  on  Monday.  I 
cannot  fay  I  am  much  furprifed  with 
the  news  of  Cromwell's  death,  the 
letters  of  the  lad  week  (thofe  of  this 
are  not  come  yet)  leaving  him  def- 
perately  lick  of  a  palfy  and  quartan 
ague,  yet  the  thing  is  of  fo  great 
confequence  that  I  can  hardly  for-' 
bear  rubbing  my  eyes  to  find  whe- 
ther I  fleep  or  wake.  The  firft  news 
of  it  came  not  hither  until  very 
late  (at  the  ihutting  the  gates)  laft 
night,  though  he  died  this  day  feven- 
night  at  three  of  the  clock.  The 
ports  were  (hut  upon  his  death  fo 
ftri&ly,  that  Monf.  Newport's  pais 
was  returned,  and  he  had  difficulty 
enough  to  get  leave  to  fend  a  lhip  of 
his  own  hiring  upon  Saturday  night. 
Extraordinary  care  was  taken  that 
no  Englifh  paflengers  fhouldcome 
in  that  fhip  3  yet  fome  did,  and 
amongft  them  a  woman  now  in  this 
town,  who  faith  that  Cromwell's 
eldeft  fon  was  proclaimed  protestor 
on  Saturday  morning,  which  is  con- 
firmed by  a  Dutchman  now  here* 
who  came  from  Gravefend  on  Tues- 
day. AH  the  comment  he  makes  on 
the  text  (it  is  a  common  failor)  is, 
that  he  heard  the  people  curfe  when 
he  was  proclaimed.  This  accident 
mud  make  a  great  change  in  the 
face  of  affairs  throughout  all  Chrif- 
tendom,  and  we  may  reafonably  hope 
the  firft  and  beft  will  be  in  England. 
As  for  this  town  they  are  mad  with 
joy ;  no  man  is  at  leifure  to  buy  or 
fell  j  the  young  fry  dance  in  the 
ftreets  at  noon  day  j;  the  devil  is  dead 
is  the  language  at  every  turn ;  and 
the  entertainment  of  the  graver  fort 
is  onl/  to  contemplate  the  happy, 
days  now  approaching.  *  *  *  *  * 

What 


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What 'the -king  is  to  do  upon  this 
great  and  good  change  in  England 
is  now  before  you  ;  to  which  molt 
important  queftion,  though  with  the 
difadvantage  of  my  being  abfent,  I 
ihali  freely  (but  privately  to  your- 
self) deliver  my  opinion  before  it  is, 
aiked  y  which  is,  that  you  ought  hot 
to  be  over  hatty  in  doing  any  thing 
m  England,  neither  by  proclaiming 
the  king,  nor  by  any -other  public 
ac"t,  until  you  (hall  truly  and  parti- 1 
cularly  know   the   ftate  of  affairs 
there,  without  which,  Solomon,  if: 
he  xwere  alive  arid  with  you,  could' 
not  make  a  right  judgment  of  what 
16  to  be  done  there.     By  the  ftate  of 
affairs  there,  I  mean  not  only  what  • 
is  a&ed  at  the  council  .board,  in  the 
army,  city,  and,  country,  but  like- 
wife  how  thofe  feveral  bodies  are  ge- 
nerally affected  to  thisf  nomination . 
of  Cromwell's  fon ;    what  opinion 
they  have  of,  and  kindnefs  to,  his 
pcrfonj  who  is  difcontented  at  it, 
and  upon  what; account  they  are  fo, 
and  to  what  degree;  what  formed' 
parties  are  made  or  making  againft 
it ;  and  how.  they  propofe  to  carry 
on  their  deiign,  whether  under  the 
veil  of  a  parliament",  or  by  open  de- 
clared force  j  how  Monk  and  Mr. 
Harry  Cromwell  like  it,  and  of  what 
confideration  Lambert  is  upon  this 
change  5   moft  of  thefe,  and  many 
other  particulars,  ought  to  be  well 
known,  upon  able  and  impartial  in- 
telligence from  the  place,  before  you . 
can  be  ready  fbr  a  judgment  either 
of  the  deiign  itfelf,  or  of  the  timing 
it  j  and,  in  the  mean  time,  both  the 
king's  party  in  England,   and  we. 
here,  cannot  (in  my  opinion)  a&  too 
iilenta  part.     When- their  partiali- 
ties ihali  come  to  the  height,  that 
is,  when  the  fword  ih'all  be  drawn*  • 
otar  tale  will  be  heard,  the  weakeft 
party  will  be  glad,  to  take  us  by  the 


hand  and  give  Us  the  means  of  arm-  . 
ing  and  embodying  ourfelves,  and , 
then  will  be  our  time  to  fpeak  our , 
own  language.     But  if  we  appear, 
before  upon  our  own  account,  it  wjli  $ 
only,  ferve  to,  unite  our  enemies,  and,, 
confirm  their  new  government  fby  a  . 
victory  over  us,  whereby  we  lhall  be 
utterly  difabled  to.%do  our  duty  when  J 
thertrue  feafon  lhall  come,  which  I; 
doubt  .not  will  quickly  be,    if  we 
have  but  the  patience  to  wait  for  iu  , 
But  whilft  I  tli us  declare  my  opiniou - 
againft  their  abortions,  I  would  npt  r 
beunde-ftood  that  no  endeavours  of, 
oars  may  he  proper  to  haften  the 
timely  birth ;    on   the  contrary,  J 
think  much  good  is  to  be  done  by . 
difcreet  and  fecret  application ,  by  , 
well  chofen  perfons,   to  thofe   of  ^ 
power  and  intereft  amongft  them#: 
whom  we  ihall  find  molt  difcoi^tent-  . 
ed  wifch  Cromwell's  partiality  in  fet- . 
ting  this  young  man  over  their  bead9 . 
that  have  borne  the  brunt  of  the  day  » 
in  the  common  caufe,  as  they  call  it; .'. 
and  who  have  fo  good  an  opinion  of 
themfelves,  as  to  believe  that,  they 
have  deferved  as  rough  of  them. they 
fought  for  as  Cromwell  himfelf  did. 
Who  thefe  are  is  not  eafy  for  us  as , 
yet  to  know,  but  fuch  there  are  ccr-^ 
tainly,  and  a  little. time  will  eafily 
difcover  them  5  and  probably  enough  ' 
we  may  find  fome  of  them  in  Crom- 
well's own  family,  and  amongft  thofe  • 
that  in  his  life  ftuck  clofeft  to  him. 
Be  they  where  they  will,  if  they  have 
power,  and  will  do  good,  they  ought 
to  be  cherimed.  But  the  peribn  that , 
my  eye  is  chiefly  on,  as  able  alonelo 
reftore  the  king,  and  not  abfolutely 
averfe  to  it,  neither  ur  his  pnnci-^ 
pies,  nor  in  his  atte&iohs,  and  that 
is  a$  like  to  be  unfatisfied  with  this 
choice  as  any  other  amongft  them,  is. . 
Monk,  who  commawieth  abfolutely  - 
at  his  devotion  a  better  army  (as  I 
M4  ant 


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i68        ANNITAL    REGISTER,  1786. 

am  informed)  than  that  in  England 
is,  and  in  the  king's  quarrel  can 
bring  with  him  the  ftrength  of 
.Scotland,  and  fo  protect  the  nor- 
thern counties  that  he  cannot  fail 
of  them  in  his  march  5  the  repu- 
tation whereof  (if  he  declares)  will 
as  much  give  the  will  to  the  appear- 
ing of  the  king's  party  in  the  reft  of 
England,  as  the  drawing  the  army 
from  the  fouthem,  weftern,  and 
•eaftern  counties,  will  give  them  the 
paeans  to  appear,  in  arms.  ^Thus  the 
work  will  be  certainly  done,  in  fpight 
of  all  oppofition  that  can  be  appre- 
hended, and  the  gaining  of  one  man 
will  alone  make  fure  work  of  the 
"whole.  I  need  not  give  you  his^ 
character ;  you  know  he  is  a  fullen 
joaan,  that  values  him  enough,  and 
much  believes  that  his  knowledge 
and  reputation  in  arms  fits  him  for 
the  title  of  highneft  and  the  office 
of  prote&or^better  than  Mr.  Richard 
Cromwell's  fkill  in  horfe-races  and 
husbandry  doth.  You  know  be- 
sides, that  the  only  ties  that  have 
hitherto  kept  him  from  grumbling, 
Jiave.been  the  vanity  of  con ftancy  to 
his  profeffions,  and  his  affection  to 
Cromwell's perfon,  the  latter  where- 
of is  doubly  diflblved,  firft  by  the 
jealoufies  he  had  of  hhto,  and  now 
by  his  death  5  and  if  he  be  hand- 
fomely  put  in  mind  who  was  his 
£rft  mafter,  andrwhat  was  promifed 
him  when  he  came  out  of  the  Tower, 
the  firft  fcruple  will  not  long  trou- 
ble him.  Nothing  of  either  of 
them  can  now  ftick  with  him  5  and 
befide$,  if  I  am  well  informed,  he 
that  lately  believed  his  head  was  in 
danger  from  the  father  (and  there- 
fore no  arts  nor  importunities  could 
bring  him  to  London)  will  not  eafily 
truft  the  fon.  The  way  to  deal 
with  him  is,  by  fome  tit  perfon 
(which  I  think  is  the  greateit  dif* 


ficultv).  to  (hew  him  plainly,  and  im 

give  him  all  imaginable  fecurity  for 

it,  that  he  {hall  better  find  all  bis 

ends  (thole  of  honour,  power,  profit, 

and  fafety)  with  the  king,  than  in 

any  other  way  he  can  take.  Neither 

are  we  to  boggle  at  any  way  *tie 

fhall  propofe  in  declaring  himielf, 

let  it  at  the  firft  be  prefbyterian,  be 

king  and  parliament,   be  a  third 

party,  or  what  he  will,  fo  it  oppofe 

the  prefent  power,  it  wiH  at  laft  do 

the  king's  bufinefs  \  and  after  a  little . 

time  he  will  and  muft  alone  fall  into 

the  track  we  would  have  him  go 

in  y  when  he  is  engaged  pail  a  retreat 

he  will  want  you  as  much  as  you  will 

want  him,  and  you  may  mould  him 

into  what  form  you  pleafe.     You 

have  my  opinion   (though  in  too 

much  hafte)  pray  think  feriouily  of 
jt#  *  *  *  *  *  »» 

Amfttrdam,  Sift.  20,  2658. 
An  original. 

The  following  terms,  offered  to 
general  Monk,  foon  after  the  protec- 
tor's death,  by  Charles  the  Second, 
we  fhall  alfo  infert  here. . 

The  King  to  Lord  Falconbridge,  the 
Ztftt/Bellafis,  and  Sir  John  Green- 
ville, or  either  of  thenu 

"  I  AM  confident  that  George 
Monk  can  have  no  malice  in  his 
heart  againft  me,  nor  hath  he  done 
any  thing  againft  me,  which  I  <»n- 
not  very  eafily  pardon ;  and  it  is 
in  his  power  to  do  me  fo  great  a  fer-  - 
vice,  that  I  cannot  eafily  reward,  but 
I  will  do  all  I  can  j  and  I  do  autho- 
rize you,  and  either  of  you,  with 
the  advice  of  the  reft,  to  treat  with 
him,  and  not  only  to  affure  him  of 
my  kindnefs,  but  that  I  will  very 
liberally  reward  him  with  fuch  an 
eftatd  in  land,  and  fuch  a  title  of 

honour,, 


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honour,  as  himfelf  (hall  defire,  If  he 
will  declare  for  me,  and  adhere  to 
myintereftj  and  whatever  you  fliall 
promife  to  him  on  my  behalf/ or 
whatever  he,  or  you  bj  his  advice, 
fhall  promife  to  any  of  his  officers, 
or  the  army,  under  his  command, 
which  command  he  fhall  mil  keep, 
I  will  make  good  and  perform  upon 
the  word  of  a  king." 

A  rough  draught  hj  the  Lord  Chan* 
allor  Hyde. 

From  this  period  to  the  king's  de- 
floration, there  is  preferved  in  this 
volume  a  mod  minute  and  almoft 
daily  account  of  the  tranfacYions  in 
England,  and  of  the  various  fchemes, 
plans,  and  operations  of  the  king's 
friends  and  adherents  there.  The 
principal  letters  are  fuch  as  are  ei- 
ther addreffed  to,  or  written  by,  the 
lord  chancellor  j  and  of  fuch  as  come 
under  the  firft  defcription,  the  moft 
material  are  from  the  lord  Mor- 
daunt,  Mr.  Broderick,  and  Mr. 
Humbold.  Thefe  contain  fomo  ex- 
cellent defcriptions  of,  and  remarks 
on,  the  different  feds  and  parties 
which  divided  this  country  at  the 
death  of  Oliver  Cromwell :  includ- 
ing, with  their  refpedive  leaders, 
the  levellers,  the  prefbyterians,  the 
''anabaptifts,  the  republicans,  the  fa- 
natics, and  fifth  monarchy  men.— 
Perhaps  thefe  two  laft,  without  com- 
mitting a  folecifm  in  party,  may  be 
joined  together  as  one  body. 

Upon  the  death  of  the  protector 
Oliver,  who  was  himfelf  too  feeble 
a  reftramt  upon  them,  thefe  parties 
broke  out  into  open  hostilities  with 
one  another— each  carving  feparately 
for  itfelf,  and,  in  proportion  to  the 
abilities  of  its  leaders,  and  its  own 
ftrength,  affuming  the  ,entire  con- 
Aud  oi  affairs. 

Neither  the  fucceffion  of  Richard 


Cromwell  to  the  prote&orfhip',  nor 
his  difpofition,  .feems  to  have  met 
with  the  flighted  interruption  5  and 
could  the  various  factions  as  eafily 
have  fettled  their  own  differences,  as 
they  feem  to  have  been  able  to  op- 
pofe  Charles  the  Second,  the  go- 
vernment of  the  country  might  have 
acquired  fuch  a  degree  of  contingency 
as  would  have  been  for  ever  fatal  to 
the  king's  interefts. 

The  origin  and  progrefs  of  the 
riling  in  the  weft,  in  favour  of  his 
majefty,  and  the  fuppreflion  of  that 
rifing  by  general  Lambert,  js  fully 
detailed  in  the  letters  of  the  lord 
Mordaunt  and  others. 

The  condud  of  general  Monk, 
who  was  fo  Angularly  inftrumental 
in  effedirig  the  reftpration,  has  beea 
always  looked  upon,  during  this  pe- 
riod, as  Angularly  ambiguous.  By 
his  defeat  of  Lambert,  he  obtained 
the  entire  and  uncontrolled  poffefj 
lion  of  the  army,  but  at  the  feme 
time  he  feems  to  have  been  quite 
undetermined  in  what  manner  he 
mould  ad  j  and  fo  far  certainly  that 
condud  muft  have  appearecf'exceed** 
ingly  ambiguous  to  others,  whicil_ 
was  not  regulated  by  any  certaia" 
views  or  principles  in  the  man  that 
purfued  it. 

Security,  and  an  high  fituation, 
was  the  end  general  Monk  aimed  at; 
and  whether  that  end  was  to  be,  at- 
tained by  means  of  the  King,  or  of 
the  Rump,  feems  at  bottom  to  have 
been  a  matter  of  equal  indifference 
to  him.  In  ihort,  he  had  not  the 
caufe  of  either,  or  of  any  party,  at 
heart,  but  became,  without  having 
any  premeditated  fcheme  in  view, 
the  fortunate  and  happy  in  liniment 
of  putting  an  end  to  the  confufed 
and  unnatural  ftate  into  which  hi* 
country  was  plunged. 
Thus  Monk,  upon  his  arrival  in 
London 


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tjo        ANNUAL    REGISTER  r736. 


'  London  from  the  north,  firft  declares 
himfelf  thefervant  of  the  Ramp,  then 
of a  free  parliament  to  be  chofen  un- 
der certain  reftri&ions  and  regula- 
tions, and,  laftly,  experimentally 
finding  that  neither  the  one  or  the 
tiber  could  effectuate  an  eftablifhed 
government,  he,  in  concurrence  with 
the  majority  of  the  latter,  and  of  the 
nation  in  general,  declares  for  the 
king,  (having  firft  made  his  own 
conditions  for  himfelf  and  his  army :) 
thus  throughout  rather  progreflive- 
ly  following  the  humour  of  the  na- 
tion, than  endeavouring  to  direct  its 
courfe. 

The  lord  Mordaunt's  account  of 
the  ftate  of  the  nation,  tranfmitted 
to  the  king  but  a  few  months  before 
Iks  reftoration,  we  fhall  next  lay  be- 
fore our  leaders. 

.     Lord  Mordaunt  to  the  King. 

"  Sir, 

• 

*  SINCE  out  lad  it  hath  been 
my  care  in  particular  to  look  intd 
4he  ftate  of  the  city,  parliament,  ar- 
mies, and  navy,  and  I  humbly  here 
prefent  you  my  poor  opinion  of  their 
prefent  condition. 

The  State  of  the  City. 

The  citizens  have  not  at  all  re- 
ceded from  their  firft  declaration; 
and,  though  they  are  ftill  unanimous 
as  to  the  point  of  money,  yet  the 
fpeedy  march  of  Monk  makes  them 
ftuduate.  As  to  other  things,  moft 
with  him  a  friend  on  feveral  ac- 
counts ;  one  is,  becaufe  they  be- 
lieve his  faith  prefbyterian  j  the 
other  is  grounded  on  a  belief,  which 
we  dare  not  contradict,  and  that  is, 
that  the  prelbyterians  defire  only 
the  honour  of  reftoring  your  majefty, 


that  by  the  merit  of  fo  fignal  an  ac~ 
rion,  their  notorious  crimes  may  be' 
forgiven  and  forgotten  j  yet  becaufe 
the  heart  of  man  is  deceitful,  I  have 
fo  far  prevailed  with  the  citizens, 
and  fome  heads  of  the  fecluded 
members,  as  to  prepare  to  oppofe' 
this  clouded  fdldier,  ,in  cafe  he  prove 
other  than  what  they  would  have 
him.  Truly,  fir,  the  confternation 
was  fo  great  and  fo  univerfal  upon 
the  defection  of  Lambert's  forces 
and  Monk's  march,  that  when  I 
came,  had  Monk  been  here,  he 
might  have  g;iven  what  law  he  pleaiP- 
ed,  and  been,  at  lea  ft  for  a  time, 
punctually  obeyed  -,  but  by  diP 
courfes  I  have  fo  far  prevailed  with 
the  moft  eminent  of  this  place,  that 
they' know  it  yet  lays  in  their  power 
to  give  a  check  not  only  to  Monk, 
but  to  what  party  foever  they  fhall 
prefume  to  impofe  upon  them  in 
this  work.  Alderman  Robinfon  hath 
been  the  moft  ufeful,  and  it  was  he 
only  that  caufed  that  claufe  of 
"  convening  a  full  and  free  parlia- 
ment,* according  to  the  ancient 
and  fundamental  laws  of  the  land, 
to  be  inferted  in  the  Declaration. 
The  laft  letter  from  Monk  difpleafed 
them,  but  private  inftru&ioris  by 
the  fword-bearer  give  them  frefh 
hopes.  '  Browne  is  wholly  off  from 
the  rigid  fcore,  and  he  and  alder- 
man Robinfon  and  Langham  have 
railed  15,0001.  which  Ingoldiby  is 
to  manage  to  take  off  a  part  of  the 
ftanding  arrriy,  upon  which  we  are 
alfo  to  appear.  If  this  fucceeds, 
your  majefty  will  be  reftored  with- 
out terms  ;  and,  if  my  lord  Man- 
chefter  and  others  of  his  cabal  pre- 
vent it  not,  I  have  all  the  reafon  in 
the  world  to  hope  it  may.  I  have  fpo- 
ken  with  major  Wood,  and  inftruct- 
ed  him  as  well  as  I  can,  and  I  have  . 
conftant  meetings  twice  a  day  with 
RebiDJjba* 


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Hobirifcn,    fo'that  I  do  not;  only 
engage  for  him  in  this  affair,  but 
will  be  refponfible  for  Ingoldfby  in 
all   he  undertakes,    that*  he   (hall 
piurelyand  clearly  aft  as  your  majefty 
fhall  command  him,  or  as  the  com- 
miffioners  fball  direct.   .  It  now  ap- 
pears his  intereft  is  the  greateftof  any 
man's  in  England,  except  Monk's, 
who  Is  at  the  head-  of  an  army. 
This,  fir,  I  am  pofitive  in,  and  will 
be  anfwerable  for  any  failing  on 
his  part,  as  to  his  courage  or  cor- 
dialnefs  in  relation  to  your  majefty's 
intereft.     Browne  and  he  a6t  toge- 
ther,  but   neither  are   willing   to 
treat   with  Manchester,    who   dis- 
couraged   the.   lad    de(ignv     This 
night  we  come  to  a  conclufion;  our 
terms  are  four  pounds  for  every  horfe- 
man,  and  two  pounds  for  every  foot 
foldier,,     As  Browne  and  I   fhall 
agree*  we  fball  engage  or  deli  ft,  and 
that  will  be  as  the  pulfe  of  the  fol- 
diers  beats  3  for  if  we  draw  off  four 
regiments,    they  will    pofiefs    the 
gates  till  we  embody,  and  then  we 
hope  your  majefty  will  think  it  a 
reafonable  undertaking.     When  I 
commend  to  your  majefty  the  com- 
plexion of  the  city,  I  mean  the  body 
.  both  reprefentative  and  diffufiye  :< 
for  the  head,  to  wit,  the  court  of  al- 
dermen, are  generally  naught,  there 
being  nineteen  of  the  four  and  twen- 
ty purchafers  of   the   crown    and 
church  lands,   which,   with   other 
mercenary  motives,   mak6  them  a 
corrupt  court. 

<lke  State  of  the  Parliament  as  1 

conceive. 

•The  prefent  complexion  of  the 
parliament  is  very  pale,  fir  Arthur 
HanVrig  undermined  by  Cooper, 
Morley,  and  Weaver,  and  from  a 
rhodoraonte  is  reduced  to  a  pitiful 


rogue.    Neville  props  him  up,  and 
that  he  may  be  -yet  fuftnined.  they 
both  endeavour  the  introduction  of 
Sir  Henry  Vane;    the  ftrength   of 
their  argument  receiving  force  from 
his   being   irreconeileable    to  your* 
majefty's  intereft  and  family  ;  but 
all  will  not  do,  and  therefore  he 
difowns    them    for    a    parliament,  . 
believing  his   being  of  it  effcntial 
to  its  conftitution.     Cooper  yet  hath 
his  tongue  well   hung,   and  words 
at  will,  and  employs  his  rhetoric  to 
cafhier  all  officers,  civil  as  well  as 
military,  that  fided  with  Fleetwood; 
Lambert,  and  Morley,  and  rebukes 
all   the  fe&aries;    thus   thofe  two 
garble  the  army  and  (late.     Neville 
oppofeth  thefe,  and  argues  for  li- 
berty in  fo  general   a   fenfe,    that 
he  is  de  t/ouveau  concluded  an  atheift 
By  a  petition  delivered  by  Lawfon 
they    defigned    fir    Henry    VaneY 
readmifiion,  but  Lawfon  was  for  a 
time  fufpended  from  his  charge  up- 
on this  account.     This  evihceih  the 
truth  of  an  account  of  what  I  pre- 
fumed  to  tell  your  majefty  of  fir  H. 
Vane4s  jntereft  in  the  navy.     The 
parties  in  the  houfe  are  diametrically 
oppofite  1  the  three  and  twenty  with 
Cooper,  who  a6ts  Cicero,  and  fome 
ftxteen  witK  Neville,  who  reprefents 
Anthony.     Since  the  old  fpeaker 
fays  his  conftitution  is  ill,  we  con- 
clude the  parliament  fo,  and  believe 
Monk  and  he  underftand  each  other. 
Daily  new  leaks  fpririg  in  this  old 
rotten  vefTel,  and  they  have  already 
loft  all  the  idolatrous  reverence  pai4 
to  parliaments.     Sir  Arthur  Hafle- 
rig  accufed  Ingoldfby  for  being   in 
arms   in   fir   George   Booth's   bufi- 
nefs,  upon  which,  though  he  purg- 
ed himfelf,  he  loft  the  regiment  he 
was  courted  to  receive,  and  we  fo  firm 
a  foundation  as  that  would  have  been 
to  xxi.    The  laft  joe*  di  mano,  was 

the 


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17*  ANNUAL   REGISTER,   1786. 


the  difiTention  bctwcn  tbehoufe  and 
the  council  of  ftate ;  the  firft  com- 
man4  Monk  to  march  flowlv  thither 
with  his  whole  array,  tie  fail  com- 
mand him  to  halt.  I  think  I  mail 
have  Utile  occafion  for  the  future  to 
fend  your  raajefly  accounts  of  the 
Rump,  believing  it  may  be  in  an  un- 
favory  condition. « 

*tht  State  ^"Lambert'/  Army. 

This,  body,  being  compofed  of 
fe&aries,  libertines,  and  anabap- 
tifts,  is  prudently  by  Monk  com- 
manded into  Scotland  >  where  (if, 
his  ambition  blinding  his  reafbn,  he 
lets  up  on  his  own  fcore)  they  will 
be  the  moft  proper  fcourge  for  the 
prefbyter.  And  thus  he  may  de- 
fign  the  Scotch  army,  which  he  leads 
himfeli'to  fubdue  the  fe&aries  here. 
And  thofe  lunatics,  to  keep  in  order 
the  violent  kirkmen,  Mbrgan  com- 
mands in  nature  of  a  major- general. 
Their  numbers  are  decreafed,  many 
following  the  example  of  their  ge- 
neral, and  perhaps  refolving  to 
purfue  his  fortune,  who  is  now  very 
bufy  here ;  and  if  from  fo  fmall  a 
fpark  hefaifes  a  combuftion,  it  will 
be  the  moft  wonderful  change  yet 
jfeen,  and  may  in  future  ages  pafs  for 
a  miracle. 

Hbt  State  g/'Monk'x  Army. 

The  general  opinion  (which  al- 
ways magnifies  tne  fuccefsful,  and 
often  unjuftly  condemns  the  unfortu- 
nate) is,  that  ft  nee  this  long  and  fad 
rebellion,  no  army  was  ever  fo  well 
difciplincd  and  officered  as  this;  the 
numbers,  by  the  beft  accounts  I  can 
trull  to,  amount  to  7000  horfe  and 
.  foot.  And  it  feems  to  me  a  wonder, 
in  this  weather,  it  gathers  not  like  a 
fhow-ball.  What  effect  Monk's  con- 


ference with  Fairfax  hath  produced 
is  not  yet  known ;  this  night  I  ex- 
pect it  from  Ruihworth,  his  fecre- 
taryj  in  the  means  time  we  all 
change  our  opinion,  and  believe 
they,  have  a  good  underftaading, 
I  mean  in  relation  to  what  I  wifh. 
He  brings  25,0004.  along  with 
him ;  thus  his  prudence  matters 
Lambert's  choler,  and  certainly  he 
had  read  Taffo's 

Fu  il  vincer  fcrapre  mat  laudabtt  co&» 
Vinca  fi  par  (Tingegno  o  pur  di  fbrsa* 

He  is  npw  ajt  Newark.  I. hope  we 
make  no  ill  conclufion  when  we  fup- 
pofe  him  ours,  upon  the  ground  of 
nis  giving  commiffion  to  the  Fen* 
wicks  (fecluded  members)  to  buy  a 
regiment  of  horfe,  his  giving  the 
government  of  Newcaftle  to  Elifon, 
one  of  the  fame  ftamp,  andt  J»*  em- 
ploying colonel  BetheH,  an,  l^oneft 
lay  elder  as  we  call  him.  I  can  fay 
little  more  of  him,  but  *hat  ke  is 
a  black  Monk,  and  I  cannot  lee 
through  him. 

Ttht  State  oftht  Aipny  here* 

That  the  whole  or  part  is  to  fce 
bought  I  hope  to  produce  demon- 
ftration;  and,  though  the  defign 
hath  taken  air  fome  weeks,  yet  I 
hope  to  fee  good  effects  from  the 
conjunction  of  Browne,  Ingoldfby, 
and  Robinfon.  The  fumof  15,0001. 
is  railed  for  the  prefent,  but  if  not 
made  ufe  of  in  two  days,  the  con- 
tract is  nulL  The  foldiers  are  inde- 
pendent of  their  officers,  and  by  rea- 
fon of  the  frequent  changes,  never 
permitted  any  officer  to  make  him- 
ielf  beloved  or  popular  j  an*  agi- 
tator will  do  more  in  an  hour  than 
all  the  officers  in  a  day, .  and  they 
will  either  march  or  Tefufe  it> 
as  the  laft  imprefuon  works  upon 
s  .  thenv 


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»73 


them.  Juft  now  the  gates  are  all 
fecured,  and  the  inclofed,  from  the 
earl  of  Crawford,  makes  me  fear  an 
ill  change,  and  that  Monk  is  a  de- 
vil ;  but  an  attempt  may  prevent 
all,  which,  if  it  be  found  reasonable, 
we  will  hazard,  and  leave  the  fuc- 
cefs  to -your  majefty.  I  fend  the 
original  from  the  earl. 

9  he  State  of  the  Navy. 

cr  It  feems  to  be  fad,  fince  lick 
and  poor  are  in  conjunction ;  fix- 
,  teen  frigates  are  yet  kept  out,  elfe 
their  clamour  would  ftate  their  con- 
dition better  than  I  can.  I  expect 
daily  Mr.  Bremes,  and  then  I  will 
venture  on  Lawfon  myfelf.  Mr. 
ford  is  engaged  by  Rumbold,  and 
his  intereft  is  great  among  the  cap- 
tains ;  fo  that,  if  the  faints  continue 
opprefled,  I  defpair  not  of  giving  a 
better  account  than  I  am  able  at 
prefent  to  do.  Fourteen  of  the  firft 
and  fecond  rata  lay  at  Rochefter, 
but  neither  manned  or  tight}  the 
arrears  due  on  this  account  are  va&; 
all  thefe  laid  together,  promifes  or 
money  may  do  the  work,  but  this  I 
fpeak  not  pofitively." 

London,  January  16,  1659-60. 
An  original. 

We  fhall  conclude  our  account  of 
this  valuable  work  with  the  infertion 
of  the  two  following  letters ;  the 
firft  from  the  king  to  general  Monk, 
in  anfwer  to  one  of  the  general's  to 
his  majefty  inclofing  the  addreis 
and  declaration  of  the  army;  the 
laft,  from  the  geneVal  to  the  king, 
on  the  recognition  of  his  majefty 's 
tide  by  both  houfes  of  parliament. 

,{The  King  to  General  Monk. 

€<  General  Monk, 
"  I;  WAS  the   laft   week  dif- 


patching  Bernard  Grenville  with 
my  anfwer  to  yours  of  the  20th  of 
laft  month,  when,  in  the  inftant  at 
he  was  departing,  I  received  th© 
good  news  of  what  was  done  on 
May-day,  upon  the  reception  of  my 
letters  and  declaration  in  the  two 
houfes,  which  made  moft  of  what  I 
had  writ  to  you  unneceflary  to  be 
fent,  and  fo  I  kept  the  meflenger 
Hill  here.  I  have  fince  received 
yours  of  the  5th  by  Sir  Thomas 
Clarges,  with  the  addrefs  the  offi- 
cers of  the  army  made  to  you,  upon 
which  I  fhall  not  enlarge  till  the  re* 
turn  of  the  fame  meflenger.  I  have 
likewife  another  from  you  of  the 
fame  date  5  upon  all  which,  befidet 
the  great  miracles  which  God  Al- 
mighty hath  wrought  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  nation,  I  muft  ever  ac- 
knowledge your  extraordinary  af- 
fection to  rne,  and  your  very  dif- 
creet  conduci:  of  this  great  work,  in 
which  you  have  had  to  do  with  per- 
fons  of  fuch  different  humours  and 
contrary  affections,  which  you  have 
wonderfully  compofed.  And  yet 
you  cannot  but  expecl  that  there  are 
many  perfons  ftill  contriving  the 
fame  mifchiefs  againft  me  and  you, 
and  whd  muft  be  rather  fupprefled 
by  your  authority  and  power/  than 
won  and  reconciled  by  your  indul- 
gence j  and,  it  may  be,  a  little  fe- 
verity  towards  fome  would  foonef 
reduce  the  reft  than  any  thing  you 
can  elfe  do.  You  may  be  moft  con- 
fident, and  I  do  again  renew  my 
promife  to  you,  for  5ie  performance 
of  which  you  may  engage  your  life, 
that  1  will  make  good  whatever  you 
have  found  neceffary  to  promife  to 
thofe  of  your  army  who  have  and 
fhall  adhere  to  you  to  make  your 
bufinefs  the  more  eafy;  and  I  am 
moft  confident,  If  I  were  with  you, 
I  fhould  in  a  much  fhorter  time  fa- 
tisfy  them,  and  put  them  into  a  full l 
fecurity, 


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174        ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1^86. 


fecurity  than  will  be  done  by  thofe 
formal  ways  which  I  hear  fome  men 
endeavour  to  go  about,  and  in  which 
many  obftructions  will  be  found, 
which  I  could  eafily  remove  and 
prevent;  and  if  any  courfe  be  ta- 
ken, in  which  a  juft  difcontent  re- 
mains with  any,  and  juft  ice  itfelf 
be  wounded,  the  foundation  is  not 
well  laid  for  a  lafting  fecurity.  I 
am  confident  I  fhall  prevent  alt  in- 
conveniences of  this  kind  when  I 
am  with  you,  which, I  muft  conjure 
jou  to  haften  by  all  your  intereft. 
And  I  tell  you  again,  I  will  not 
leave  myfelf  bread,  rather  than 
every  thing  fhall  not  be  performed 
which  you  promife  to  your  officers 
and  foldiers  on  my  behalf.  I  am 
confident  you  know  there  hath  been, 
and  is  ftill,*a  cabal  which  endea- 
vours, to  infufe  and  keep  alive  all  ill 
humours  and  diflatisfadtion  in  the 
army  and  in  the  houfes,  to  obftruft 
and  defer  my  being  fent  for,  which, 
by  the  blefling  of  God,  can  only  put 
an  end  to  all  diftempers ;  and  there- 
fore I  muft  conjure  you  to  ufe  all 
your  intereft  for  the  removal  of  all 
thofe  obftruclions,  and  all  unnecef- 
iary  formalities,  which  may  retard 
my  coming,  and  you  may  be  as 
confident,  as  of  any  thing  in  this 
world,  that  if  it  were  in  my  power 
to  recede  from  any  thing  I  have 
promised  in  my  declaration  or  let- 
ters, I  would  as  much  abhor  the  do- 
ing it  as  any  wickednefs  that  can  be 
imagined ;  and  furely  a  full  and  ge- 
Heral  fecurity,  which  no  man  is  more 
folicitoUs  to  eftablifh  than  I  am,  can 
Dvided  for  as  by 
you,  which,  by 
Id  difappoint  all 
are  contrived 
i,  and  the  peace 
•peft  within  few 
le  commiflibue^s 


from  the  parliament,  and  for  their 
better  reception  and  accommoda- 
tion, this  town  being  already  too 
full,  I  refolve  to  accept  the  date's 
invitation,  and  to  go  on  Monday  or 
Tuefday  next  to  the  Hague,  as  the 
neareft  and  moft  commodious  place 
from  whence  I  may  embark,  for 
which  you  will  eafily  believe  I  have 
longing  enough,  that  I  may  fee  you, 
and  let  the  world  fee  the  fenfe  I  have 
of  the  great  fervice  you  have  done  for 
Yours,  &c." 
May  21,  1660. 
An  original. 

General  Monk  to  the  King.. 

%t  May  it  pleafe  your  Majefty, 
«  TUESDAY  laft  I  attended  your 
majefty  *s  two  houfes  of  parliament 
to  proclaim  the  recognition  of  your 
royal  right  unto  your  imperial 
crowns.  By  the  univerfal  joy  in  the 
performance,  it  appeared  that  God 
hath  given  to  your  fcepter  the  hearts 
of  your  people ;  who,  though  they 
have  been  by  neceflity  and  force 
agitated  to  different  points,  yet,  like 
a  needle  truly  touched,  reft  only  in 
this  magnetic  determination  towards* 
your  majeftv;  whofe  royal  heart, 
touched  with  the  divine  grace,  I  am 
fure  is  fixed  to  make  it  the  glory  of 
your  majefty  to  advance  the  crown 
and  fcepter  of  our  Lord  Ghrift,  and 
that  under  you  all  your  people  may 
lead  a  peaceable  life  in  all  godlineis 
and  honefty. 

"  This  bearer,  major  Robert 
Harley,  whofe  faithful  endeavours 
have  not  been  wanting  to  your  ma- 
jefty's  fervice,  will  acquaint  your 
majefty  with  the  defires  of  your  par- 
liament for  your  majefty's  fpeedy 
return  into  your  dominions.  To 
which  I  take  the  boldncfs  to  add  vaf 
humble  opinion,  that  now  your  ma- 
jeftv'* 


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*7t 


j*sfly Vprefence  and  authority  is  very    cordial  praye*  of,  moft  gracious  fo-  * 
neceffary    to  jpTeferve  that    happy    vereign, 


peace  yoivt  realms  enjoy  through 
divine  goodnefs. 

•    *'  That  your  raajefty  may  enjoy 
many  years- of  glorious  reign  is  the 


Your  majefty's,  &c,T 
6'f*  James's,  May  .10,  1660, 
An  original. 


Yhe  following  Report  was  by  Mijiahe  omitted  in  the  gtate  Papers  for  this  Year% 
and  is  therefore  inferted  here. 


ifbe  Sixth  Report  of  the  CommiJJhners 
appointed  to  examine,  take,  andjlate> 
the  Public  Accounts  of  the  Ki?ig- 
dom. 

Trefented  to,  the  Eoufe  of  Commons  on 
the  11th  of  February;  1782. 

IN  purfuance  of  the  directions  of 
the  act  by  which  we  are  appointed, 
our  attention  has  hitherto  been  eri- 
gaged,  principally  in  marking  the 
delay  which  'affects  the  public  mo- 
ney in  its  paflage,  either  from  the 
pocket  of  the  fubject  into  the  Ex- 
chequer, or  from  the  Exchequer 
back  again  into  the  poflfeffion  of  the 
perfon  who  becomes  entitled  to  it  \ 
but  of  ftill  greater  importance  to  the 

public  is  the  diminution  it  fuffers  in    fees  paid  by  one  officer,  to  one  office, 
ks  progrefs.  in  one  year,  demanded  our  attention/ 

Iutent  upon  the  object  pointed'  and  led  us  to  require  from  this 
put  to  us  by  the  act,  as  the  firlt  for  office  the  fum  total  pf  the  fees  paid 
our  confideration,  namely,  that  the  at  the  receipt  of  his  majefty's  Ex- 
public  might  avail  themfelves,  as  chequer,  by  the  pay  mailer- general 
toon  as  poifible,  of  the  balances  in  of  the  forces,  during  the  year  1/80; 
the  hands  of  accountants ;  we  have,,    the  accounts  of  that  year  being  then 


tion  of  that  part  of  the  act  which 
directs  us  "  to  report  an  exact  tfate 
of  the  fees  or  gratuities  paid  or  given 
in  collecting,  iffuing,  expending, 
and  accounting  for  the  public  mo- 
nies, and  the  authority  under  which 
fuch  fees  and  gratuities  are  paid  ot 
received." 

In  the  courfe  of  our  examination 
into  the  office  of  the  payraafter- 
general  of  the  forces,  we  obferved 
in  the  account  of  the  payments  made 
by  him  out  of  the  deductions  of 
twelve-pence  in  the  pound,  and  one 
dayvs  pay,  for  the  year  1778,  .annex- 
ed to  our  laft  report,  No.  7,  a  charge 
°f  33,5^71.  7s.  iod.  paid  for  fees 
at  the  Exchequer-  So  large  a  fum  of 


in  the  offices  that  have  as  yet  come 
under  our  examination,  applied  our- 
felyes  chiefly  to  the  investigation  of 
thefe  balances,  and  reported  upon 
them  with  as  much  expedition  as 
we  were  able  j  adding  only  fuch 
fuggeliions  of  immediate  regulation 
as^rofe  out  of  the  fubject,  and  oc- 
curred to  us  in  the  courfe  of  that  in- 
yeftigation,  but  deferring,  as  a'mat- 
ie^  feparate  and  diftinct,  the  execu- 


under  our  confideration. 

By  the  return  made  to  that  requi- 
fition,  it  appears  that  thefe  fees,  in 
the  year  1780,  amounted  to  39,198!. 
6s.  iod.;  and  that  they  confuted  of 
a  poundage  on  the  money  i'flued.     • 

As  the  annual  fupplies  laft  year 
exceeded  that  of  all  former  years, 
and  may  increafe,  and  all  poundage 
fees  on  thofe  fupplies  will  increafe  in 
proportion,  we  thought  it  incumbent 

upoa 


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176        ANNUAL   REGlSf ER,  1786. 


upon  us  to  proceed  to  an  immediate 
examination  into  the  article  of  fees, 
and  of  the  principles  upon  which  they 
are  founded  j  to  the  intent,  that, 
ihould  they  be  deemed  a  fubjeft 
worthy  the  interpolation  of  the  le- 
gislature, the  public  may  not  remain 
without  the  benefit  of  a  Ipeedy  renjfc- 
dy  for  a  preffing  and  increafing  evil. 
^  We  have  had  under  our  examina- 
tion two  offices  of  large  public  ex- 
penditure; the  pay-office  of  the 
navy,  and  the  pay-office  of  the  ar- 
my. To  each  of  thefe  we  iflued 
our  precepts  for  an  exa&  date  of  the 
ialaries,  fees,  and  gratuities,  receiv- 
ed by  the  refpective  officers  and 
clerks  in  thofe  offices,  from  the  24th 
of  December,  1779,  to  the  25th  of 
December,  1780,  with  the  amount 
thereof  received  by  each  officer  and 
clerk,  during  the  (aid  period. 

To  the  feveral  branches  of  the 
receipt  of  his  majefty's  Exchequer, 
that  is  to  fay,  to  the  auditor,  the 
clerk  of  the  pells,  the  tellers,  and 
chamberlains,  the  ufher,  and  the 
paymafters  of  exchequer  bills,  we 
iflued  the  like  precepts;  and  returns 
were  made  to  us  from  all  thefe 
offices. 

We  have  thought  it  expedient,  in 
the  courfe  of  this  enquiry,  where 

by  the 
deputy, 
le  latter 
lified  to 
wanted, 
as  more 
examine 
;rks  who 
>r  incon- 

)luments 
1  year  of 
we  have 
we  have 
the  net 


produce  of  each  office  in  time  of 
peace. 

At  the  clofe  of  our  examination 
into  each  office,  we  have  dated,  and 
inferted  in  the  appendix,  an  ac- 
count of  the  falaries,  allowances, 
fees,  and  gratuities,  diftinguiihed 
under  their  feveral  heads,  and  the 
total  amount  thereof  received  by 
each  officer  and  clerk  in  that  office, 
with  the  fums  paid  for  taxes,  and 
other  difburfements ;  and  the  net 
produce  to  each  officer  and  clerk, 
during  the  year  1780;  and  diftin- 
guiflung,  as  far  as  appeared  to  us, 
without  entering  into  too  long  an 
examination,  to  what  amount  each 
office  is  a  charge  upon  the  public, 
the  civil  lift,  and  individuals.  But 
we  muft  at  the  fame  time  remark, 
that  mod  of  the  fums  for  fees  and 
gratuities,  dated  by  us  as  paid  by 
individuals,  are  ultimately  paid  by, 
and  a  charge  upon,  either  the  civil 
lift  or  the  public.  This  latter  dif* 
tin&ion  we  have  made,  not  con- 
fidering  the  intereft  of  the  crown 
as  feparate  from  the  intereft  of  tha 
public ;  but  becaufe  the  favings,  if 
fuch  there  fhould  be,  will  in  the  one 
cafe,  fall  into  the  fund  appropriated 
for  the  fupport  of  his  majefty*s  civil 
government,  and  in  the  other,  into 
the  finking  fund. 

We  have  diftinguiihed  the  taxes 
paid  by  the  officers,  that  is,  the  land- 
tax,  and  the  one  {hilling  and  fix 
penny  duties,  from  their  other  dif- 
burfements ;  becaufe  the  charge  of 
the  public,  in  fupporting  thefe  of* 
fices,  is  leflcned  by  as  much  of 
thefe  taxes  as  get  back  again  into 
the  Exchequer.  But,  not  being  able 
eafily  to  difcover  what  diminution 
they  fufFer  in  their  progrefs,  we 
have  only  ftatcd  the  amount  of  them, 
without  deducting  them  from  fche 
expence  of  the  public. 

From 


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STATE    PAPERS. 


*77 


From  the  return  of  the  pay-offiee 
of  the  navy,  and  from  the  examina- 
tions of  the  right  hon.  Welbore  Ellis, 
treafurer  of  the  navy  ;  Andrew  Doug- 
las, efq.  his  paymafter;  John  Sladei 
efq.  firft  clerkih  the  camier's  branch; 
Adam  Jellico,  efq.  firft  clerk  in  the 
pay  branch ;  George  Swaffield,  efq. 
ca(hier$  Mr.  John  Fennell,  chief 
clerk,  and  Mr.  Robert  Walker, 
.fecond  clerk  in  the  victualling 
branch,  we  obtained  the  following 
information  relative  .to  the  profits 
accruing  to  the  officers  and  clerks 
in  this  office. 

The  bufiriefs  in  the  pay-office  of 
the  navy  is  tranfa&ed  by  the  trea- 
furer, the  paymafter,  and  thirty-five 
officers  and  clerks,  nine  of  which  are 
in  the  cafh'ier's  branch,  twenty  in 
the  pay  branch,  and  fix  in  the  vic- 
tualling branch. 

The  profits  of  thefe  offices  confift 
of  fix  heads— falaries;  allowances 
for  extra  fervices,  and  for  telling 
money  at  the  Bank;  perquifites  of 
odd  pence ;  for  cafting  defalcations  ; 
and  for  entering  probates  and  other 
*  inftruments. 

The  treafurer  and  his  paymafter 
are  paid  by  falaries  only,  and  have 
no  other  fee  or  gratuity  whatever. 
The  officers  and  clerks  receive  fala- 
ries, and  alfo  the  allowances  and 
perquifites  above  mentioned. 

The  treafurer  is  appointed  by  the 
crown,  and  holds  his  office  during 
pleafure.  He  receives  a  falary  of 
two  thoufand  pounds  a-year,  re- 
duced, by  the  payment  of  ttie  one 
fhilling  and  fixpenny  duties,  to 
1,850 1.  He  appoints  the  paymafter, 
and  all  the  other  officers  and  clerks 
in  the  office. 

The  paymafter  has  a  falary  of 
500 1.  a-year,  reduced  by  the  lame 
duties  to  462 1.  10  s.  He  executes 
alfo  the  offices  of  cafhier  and  acr 

Vol.  XXVIII, 


countant,  for  which  he  receives  no 
'  additional  falary  or  emolument  what- 
ever. 

The  falaries  of  the  other  officers 
and  clerks  are  from  forty  to  eighty 
pounds  a-year,  according  to  their 
feyeral  employments.  Befides  which, 
they  have  the  allowances  and  per- 
quifites following. 

An  allowance  for  extra  fervice, 
which  is  made  to  thofe  clerks  who 
attend  the  payment  of  wages  and  the 
yards,  and  who  complete  what  are 
called  the  full  books  for  payment  of 
the  ihips  and  yards.  This  allowancfe 
is  intended  to  defray  their  travelling 
cxpences,  arid  as  a  recompenfe  for 
their  extra  trouble.  The  rate  at 
which  it  is  paid  is  feven  mil  lings  a- 
day  for  the  number  of  days  uv  which 
each  clerk  is  fo  employed. 

An  allowance  for  telling -money 
at  the  Bank  is  a  poundage,  at  the 
rate  of  five  millings  for  every  thou- 
fand pounds,  allowed  by  the  navy 
board  to  thofe  clerks  who  receive 
money  at  the  Ban;k  for  the  payment 
.of  the  fhips  and  yards ;  in  confe- 
quence  of  which  allowance,  each 
clerk  is  accountable  for  any  de«- 
ficiency  there  may  be  either  in  the, 
weight  or  tale  of  the  monfey  ne 
receives. 

The  odd  pence  is  a  perquifite 
to  thofe-  officers  and  clerks,  .who 
are  employed  in  making  payments.. 
Thofe  whofe  bufinefs  it;js  to  pay 
perfect  bills,  the  navy  courfe,  and 
bills  drawn  by  the  navy  and  fick 
and  hurt  boards,  pay  the  even  money 
only  upon  thefe  bills,  and  retain 
to  themfelves  the  odd  pence  under 
a  ihilling.  Thoie  who  are  employ- 
ed in  the  payment  of  the  officer^ 
feamen,  and  artificers  in  the  dock* 
yards,  retain  the  odd*  pence  under 
fix-pence;  in confiderationof  which, 
they  are  all  bound  to  make  good  any 

N  miftaket 


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*7«        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


miftakes  they  may  make  in  their  pay- 
ments. 

The  perquifite  for  carting  de- 
falcations, h>  a  gratuity,  ufually  at 
the  rate  of  one  guinea  by  the  hun- 
dred pounds,  paid  by  the  chap- 
lains, iurgcons,  and  purlers  of  the 
navy,  to  the  officer  who  cafts  and 
pays  to  them  their  feveral  'fhares  of 
the  deductions  made  from  the  fea- 
men's  wages. 

The  perquifite  for  entering  pro- 
bates of  wills,  letters  of  adminiitra- 
tion,  and  warrants  of  attorney,  is  a 
iee  of  two  ihillings  and  fixpence 
each  entry,  paid  to  the  clerk  in 
whofe  department  it  lies  to  regifter 
thefe  instruments. 

The  falaries  and  allowances  for 
extra  fervices,  pnd  for  telling  mo- 
ney at  the  bank,  are  paid,  for  the 
inoft  part,  quarterly,  by  bills  af- 
figned  by  the  navy  or  vi&uplling 
boards  upon  the  treafurer,  out  of 
money  received  by  him,  either  to 
pay  falarie*,  or  from  old  ftores,  or 
tinder  fome  other  head  of  fervice 
fpecified  in  the  alignments}  and 
confequently  all  thefe  are  paid  by 
the  public. 

The  perquisites  are  either  de- 
tained out  of  fums  due  to  particu- 
lar perfons,  or  paid  by  thofe  who 
apply  to  have  their  bufinefs  tranf- 
a&ed  at  the  office;  and  therefore 
do  not  come  out  of  the  public 
purfe,  but  from  the  pockets  of  in- 
dividuals. 

The  authority  upon  which  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  feveral  profits  of  this  of- 
fice is  grounded,  is  either  an  order 
of  the  privy-council,  or  ufage. 

By  an  order  of  the  privy-council, 
dated  the  25th  of  May,  1699,  tne 
falary  of  the  treafurer  of  the  navy 
is  fettled  at  two  thoufand  pounds  a 
year ;  that  of  his  paymafier,  at  five 
hundred  pounds;    that  of  his  ac- 


countant, at  four  hundred  pounds  f 
and  the  falaries  of  thirteen  clerk*, 
feven  at  eight  pounds  each,  and  fix 
at  forty  pounds  each  j  and  in  tht 
ordinai*y  eftimate  of  the  navy,  voted 
by  parliament  every  year,  are  inferr- 
ed allowances— to  the  treafurer  of 
the  navy,  two  thoufand  pounds ;  to 
his  paymafier  and  cafhier,  five  hun- 
dred pounds ;  to  twenty-two  clerks, 
fix  of  them  eighty  pounds,  nine  fifty 
pounds,  and  feven  forty  pounds  each. 
But  an  increafe  of  the  bufinefs  in 
this  office  for  thefe  late  years,  has 
rendered  it  neceflary  to  increafe 
the  clerks  to  the  prefent  number,  * 
thirty-five  ;  and  to  every  increafe 
the  confent  of  the  navy-board  is 
neceflary. 

The  allowances  and  perquifites 
are  fuch  as  have  been  ufually  paid 
and  taken  by  the  officers  and  clerks 
in  their  feveral  departments,  as  far 
back  as  the  memory  of  the  oldeft 
officers,  now  employed  in  this  office, 
reaches.  * 

From  the  accounts  fet  forth  in  the 
appendix,  it  appears,  that  the  grofs 
,  amount  of  the  emoluments  received 
in  the  pay-office  of  the  navy,  was 
8,1501.  10s.  |d.;  of  which  the  fala- 
ries, allowances  for  extra  fervice, 
and  for  telling  money  at  the  bank, 
amounting  to,  6,5451.  4s.  8d..was 
paid  by  the  public ;  and  the  refidue, 
being  1,6051.  58.  4|d.  by  indivi- 
duals ;  the  net  receipt  of  this  office 
was  7,9381.  |d. 

By  the  return  made  to  us  from 
the  pay-office  of  the  army,  and  the 
examination  of  the  right  hon. 
Richard  Rigby,  paymafter-general 
of-  the.  forces;  Timothy, Cafwell, 
efq.  deputy  paymafier  j  John  Pow- 
ell, efq.  Cathler;  Charles  Bern- 
bridge,  efq.  accountant ;  John 
Adam  Frederick  Heffc,  efq.  led-, 
gex-keeper ;     Thomai    Bangham* 

«fq. 


k 


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S  TAT  E    PAPERS. 


*7* 


fcfq.  •  computer  of  off-reckonings ; 
Robert  Randoll,  efq.  cafhier^  of 
half-pay;  and  Richard  Molef- 
worth,  efq.  entering  clerk  5  we 
received  the  following  account  of 
the  falaries  paid  to,  and  the  fees 
and  gratuities  taken  by,  the  officers 
and  clerks  in  the  pay-office  of  the 
army. 

This  office  confifts  of  the  pay- 
mafter general,  his  deputy,  a  ca- 
fhier, an  accountant,  a  ledger- 
keeper,  a  computer  of  off- reck- 
onings, a  cafhier  of  half-pay,  and 
an  entering  clerk,  with  eight  in- 
ferior clerks,  an  office-keeper,  a 
houfe-keeper,  and  two  mefien- 
gersj  and  nine  deputy  paymafters 
abroad. 

The  paymafter  general  appoints 
iiis  deputies,  and  all  the  officers 
and  clerks  employed  in  his  office  : 
they  are  all  paid  by  falaries  or  al- 
lowances, fees  and  gratuities. 

The  paymafter  general,  his  de- 
puty, the  inferior  officers  and  clerks, 
and  deputy  paymafters  abroad,  have 
certain  falaries  or  allowances  only -, 
the  fix  officers  who  are  next  to  the 
deputy  paymafter,  receive  falaries, 
fees,  and  gratuities. 

The  paymafter  general  is  ap- 
pointed by  letters  patent  under 
the  great  feal,.  during  pleafurej 
he  receives  four  annual  allow- 
ances as  paymafter  general  of  the 
forces,  and  one  as  treafurer  of 
Chelfea  hofpital :  the  four  are, 
3,oool,  as  the  particular  falary 
belonging  to  his  office,  1,76*01.  for 
the  payment  of  clerks,  .600).  for 
the  contingent  expences  of  his  of- 
fice, and  twenty  millings  a  day  as 
one  of  the  ftaff  upon  the  eftablifh- 
mentj  the  other  allowance  is 
twenty  millings  a  day  as  treafurer 
•f  Chelfea  hofpital.    The  amount 


of  thefe  allowances  186,692!.:  but 
of  which  he  paid  for  himfeif  and 
officers,  in  taxes,  962I.  19s.  9d.  5  to 
clerks  1,7071.$  and  for  the  contin- 
gent difburfements  of  his  office, 
360I.  7s.  8d.  jf  making  ."together 
3,03d.  7s.  jd.  which  reduced  his 
clear  receipt  to  3,o6il.  12s.  7d. 

The  deputy  paymafter  has  two 
falaries,  of  jool.  a  year  each  y  one 
reduced,  by  the  ope  milling  and  fix-  * 
penny  duties,  to  462I  10s.  the  other 
paid  without  dedudiorij  together, 
clear,  962I.  10s. 

The  fix  following  officers  are 
thofewh^o  have  fees  and  gratuities 
as  well  as  fakries. 

The  cafhier  receives  a  falary  of 
200I.  a  year,  reduced  by  the  one 
milling  duty  to  190I. ;  and  an  addi* 
tional  annual  allowance  of  270I. 
paid  to  him  without  deduction.  His 
fees  and  gratuities  amounted  to 
(5,7151,  19s.  6d.  Which,  with  his 
falaries,  macje  his  clear  receipt 
7,1731.  19s.  6d.  But,  as  thefe  fees 
are  not  always  paid  at  the  time  the 
bufinefs  is  done,  this  fum>  though 
received  in  the  year  1780,  may  in- 
clude fees  that  accrued  in  a  .preced- 
ing year  5  it  certainly  doesx  not  in** 
elude  the  fees  for  all  the  bufinefs 
done  by  him  in  that  year;  the  re- 
mitters had  not  paid'  him  their  "rees 
upon  the  warrants  for7  the  remit- 
tances iffued  to  them  after  the 
montli  of  February,  17805  and  it 
appears  from  an  account  of  thofi 
remittances,  extracted  from  the  ac- 
count of  the  extraordinary  fervicer 
incurred  by  the  paymafter  general 
of  the  forces  for  the  year  i78©i 
that  the  fum  iffued  to  them  be* 
tween  the  ift  of  March,  and  the 
31ft  of  December,  in  that  year> 
was  2,312,8301.5  the  fees  upon 
which   being  at  the  rate   of  on« 

N  2  •  •  guinea 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


i8o        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    17*6. 


guinea  by  the  ihoufand  pounds, 
amount  to  2.427I.  12s.  and  being 
divided  equally  between  the  cafhier 
and  accountant,  would  have  added 
1,2131.  1 6s.  to  the  receipt  of  each, 
and  would  have  in  created  that  of 
the  cafhier  to  8,389!.  15s.  6d. 

The  falary  of  the  accountant  is 
j  50!.  a  , year,  reduced  by  the  one 
ihilling  duty  to  142I.  10s.  He  re- 
ceived in  fees  1,5581.  17s.  o.d.  5 
"which,  added  to  his  falary,  makes 
his  clear  receipt  .  to  have  beeu 
1,501!.  7s.  9d.  Had  the  remitters 
paid  all  their  fees,  it  had  been 
increafed  by  the  addition  of 
i>2i3l.1    16s.      to      the     fum     of 

The  ledger-  keepers  falary  is 
iool.  a  year,  befides  which,  he 
receives  annually  80I.  from  the 
computer  of  off- reckonings,  and 
iool.  from  the  cafhier  of  half-pay  : 
Jiis  fees  amounted  to  394I.  16s. 
making,  all  .together,  674I.  16s. 
He  paid  out  of  this  fura,  for  taxes, 
fifteen  pounds  j  to  his  deputy  eighty 
pounds  j  and  to  another  afliftant 
fifty  pounds  5  together,  145I.  which 
reduced  his  net  receipt  to  529I.  l6s« 
The  prefent  ledger-keeper  has,  by 
reafpn  of  his  age  and  infirmities, 
executed  his  office  by  deputy,  ever 
fince  his  appointment  in  1765. 

The  computer  of  off-reckonings 
.has  no  other  falary  but  that  of 
eighty  pounds,  whiclu  he  pays  to 
$he  ledger-keeper;  his  net  profits 
arofe  from  his  fees,  which  amounted 
td  1,0381.  5s.  6d. 

The  cafhier  of  half-pay  receives 
eighty  pounds  a  year  falary  -,  the 
total  of  his  fees  was  617I.  5s. ;  to- 
gether, 697I.  5s. :  out  of  which  he 
paid,  for  taxes,  fourteen  pounds, 
and  to  the  ledger-keeper  one  hun- 
dred pounds  ;  this  reduced  his  clear 
receipt  to  583I.5S. 


Sixty  pounds  is  the  falary  of  the 
entering-clerk,  which,  with  1,448!. 
j  5s.  4d.  received  by  fees,  made  his 
grofs  receipt  1,5081.  15s,  4d. ;  re- 
duced, by  iol.  10s.  paid  for  taxes, 
to  1,4981.  5s.  4d. 

The  other  clerks  are  paid  from 
fifty  to  one  hundred  pounds  a  year, 
according  to  their  flations  and  em- 
ployments in  the  office,  and  receive 
no  fees  or  gratuities  whatever. 

The  deputy,  paymafters  abroad 
are  paid  an  allowance,  fix  of  them 
thirty  fhillings  a  day,  and  three  of 
them  three  pounds  a  day. 

The  fees  received  by  thefe  of- 
ficers are  as  various  as1  the  bufinef* 
they  execute ;  each  has  fees  pecu- 
liar to  his  branch :'  they  coniift, 
fome  of  them,  of  a  poundage  upon 
the  fums  contained  in  warrants 
brought  for  payment,  and  in  re- 
ceipts -,  others,  of  certain  fums  per 
regiment,  paid  either  annually 
or  upon  tranfa&ing  particular 
branches  of  the  regimental  bufi- 
nefs ;  others  of  them  are  certain 
fums  for  reports,  certificates,  re- 
ceipts, entries,  or  other  articles  of 
ofiicial  bufinefs. 

The  gratuities  are  voluntary  do- 
nations upon  the  payment  of  war- 
rants, or  for  creating  fome  trouble 
to  the  office  j  and  are  given  to  offi- 
cers of  the  department  where  the 
bufinefs  is  tranfa&ed. 

It  appears  from  the  account  of 
the  payments  made  by  the  paymafn 
ter-general,  out  of  the  deductions 
of  twelve-pence  in  the  pound,  and 
one  day's  pay,  for  the  year  1780, 
that  the.  falary.  r.nd  allowances  to 
the  paymafter-general  (except  the 
twenty  lhil lings  a  day  on  the  ftaff) 
and  the  two  additional  falaries  to 
the  deputy  and  cafhier,  and  the  al- 
lowances to  the  deputy-paymaftera 
abroad,  are  paid  out  of  the  deduc- 
tion! 


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STAT,E    PAPERS. 


rti' 


tlotis  of  twelve-pence  in  the  pound ; 
the  twenty  {hillings  a  daf  on  the, 
ftaff,  is  paid  to  him,  in  like  manner 
as  the  general  and  ftaff-officers  in 
Great  Britain  are  paid,  out  of  the 
money  grdnted  for  the  ordinary  fer- 
vices  of  the  army  :  all  thefe  pay- 
ments are  therefore  a  charge  upon 
the  public.  The  pay  matter-  general 
himfelf 'pays  the  other  falaries,  out 
of  the  fum  of  1,7601.  allowed  him 
for  that  purpofe.  The  fees  and 
gratuities  are  paid  by  the  remitters, 
contractors,  agents,  and  perlons 
whole  bufinefs  brings  them  to  the 
office,  and  therefore  come  immedi- 
ately out  of  their  pockets  though 
much  the'  greatelt  part  of  them  ul- 
timately fall  upon  the  public. 

Ufage  of  office  is  the  general 
ground  upon  which  thefe  feveral 
payments  reft,  except  in  the  two 
inftances  of  the  additional  allow- 
ances to  the  deputy  and  the  caihier, 
which  are  founded  on  fpecial  cir- 
cumftances.  The  five  hundred 
pounds  a  year  addition  to  the  de- 
puty, is  paid  to  him  by  a  warrant, 
dated  18th  March,  17745  it  com- 
menced on  the  10th  October,  1771, 
and  is  to  continue  as  long  as  he 
holds  this  office.  The  ground 
ftated  in  the  warrant  is,  that  the 
then  emoluments  of  the  office  were 
not  an  adequate  compenfation  for 
his  trouble,  care,  and  fidelity :  his 
predeceffors  in  this  office  had  not 
this  additional  falary ;  for  they  en- 
joyecj,  at  the  fame  time,  what  the 
prefent  deputy  had  not,  other  ap- 
pointments under  the  crown. 

The  warrant  for  the  payment  of 
the  additional  two  hundred  and  fe- 
venty  pounds  a  year  to  the  cafhier, 
is  dated  the  ioth  of  July,  1765, 
and  dates  it  to  be  made  to  him  for 
his  trouble,  care,  diligence,  and 
fidelity,  iu  the  execution    of  the 


bufinefs  committed  to  his  .charge. 

The  allowance  Co  the  pay  ma  tier- 
general  of  twenty  millings  a  day 
upon  the  itaif,  is  voted  annually 
upon  the  eiiablifhment,  and,  toge-  , 
ther  with  the  twenty  millings  a  day 
as  treafurer  of  Chelfea  hofpital,  ii' 
inferted  in  his  letters- patent :  a*H 
the  falaries  and  allowances  paid  to 
him  arc  fuch  as  have  been  allowed 
to  his  predeceiTors  in  this  office; 
and  all  the  falaries,  fees,  and  gra- 
tuities, received  by  the  officers  and 
clerks,  and  deputy-paymaflers,  arc 
the  fame  as  have  been  paid  to,  and 
received  by,  thefe  who  have  gone 
before  them. 

From  the  account  in  the  appen- 
dix it  appears,  that  the  grofs 
amount  of  the  emoluments  received 
in  this  office,  was  25,1081.  19s.  id. ; 
the  net  amount  was  23,561!.  is;8d. 
The  fum  of  13,4501.  received  for 
falaries  and  allowances,  was  paid 
by  the  public :  the  fum  of 
11,573!.  195.  id.  for  fees  and 
gratuities,  was  paid  by  indivi- 
duals. 

There  is  moreover  another  gra- 
tuity given  to  the  officers  and  clerks 
in  each  of  thefe  pay-offices,  upon 
paffing  the  final  accounts  of  a  trea- 
furer and  paymafter-geueral  in  the. 
office  of  the  auditor  of  the  imprefh 
This  gratuity  is  craved  of  the  com- 
miffioners  of  the  treafury,  by  a  me- 
morial from  the  refpective  officers 
and  clerks  in  each  office,  as  a  com- 
penfation for  their  trouble  in  car- 
rying on  and  making  up  the  ac- 
counts of  a  treafurer  and  paymaf- 
ter-general  after  his  refignatjon. 
The  quantum  of  it  bears  fom'e 
proportion  to  the  total,  fum  con- 
tained in  the  account  to  be  paffed. 
It  is  allowed  to -them  by  a  trea- 
fury-warrant,  out  of  the  balance 
remaining  in  the  hands  of  the-  ac-  ' 
N  3  countanr, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


i82        ANNUAL    REG  1ST  ER,  1786. 


countant,  and  is  therefore  paid  out 
of  a  public  fund.  Thefe  allow- 
ances have  been  made  ever  (ince 
.tjie  Revolution,  and,  by  the  ac- 
counts of  them  from  that  period, 
tranimitted  to  us  from  thefe  offices, 
it  appears,  that  in  the  pay-office 
of  the  navy,  the  inftances.  of  tbefe 
gratuities,  from  the  year  1688 
to  the  year  1772,  when  the  lalt 
accounts  of  Mr.  Dodington,  end- 
ing in  the  year  1756,  were  pafled, 
are  feventeen,  and  amount  to 
54,1621.  17s.  9Jd.  And  in  the  pay- 
office  of  the  army,  the  inftances 
from  the  fame  year,  to  the  year 
1770,  when  the  accounts  of  lord 
Darlington,  and  others,  ending 
34th  June,  1757,  were  pafled,  are 
nine,  and  amount  to  46,1121.  18s.  -9m 
making  together  100,2751. 15s.  g{d. 
paid  by  the  public  during  that  pe- 
riod, in  thefe  gratuities. 

In  the  exchequer,  fix  offices 
came .  under  our  examination ; 
namely,  the  auditor  of  the  receipt, 
the  clerk  of  the  pells,  the  tellers, 
the  chamberlains,  the  ulher,  and 
the  paymasters  of  exchequer  bills. 
There  are  fome  circumftances 
common  to  them  all  5  falaries  or 
allowances,  fees,  and  gratuities,  - 
are  the  heads  under  which  may  be 
ranged  the  profits  of  all  the  officers 
and  clerks. 

The  gratuities  are  ufual  volun- 
tary donations,  either  from  public 
offices  or  individuals:  the  yearly  ac- 
counts are  made  up  to  Michaelmas 
eve  5  and  therefore  the  accounts  of 
the  receipts  and  payments  for  the 
year  1780,  which  is  the  year  we  are 
enquiring  into,  are  made  up  to  the 
Michaelmas  of  that  year. 
*  In  the 'firft  five  of  thefe  offices, 
the  principal  appoints  the  deputy 
and  clerks.  The  .firft  four  of  them 
have  tables  hung  up  in  each  office, 


by  which  their  fees  are  regulated  1 
thefe  fees'  confift  either  of  a 
poundage,  or  of  certain  ^payments 
for  particular  articles  of  bufinefs 
tranfa&ed  in  each  office,  and  are 
paid  by  the  perfons  either  paying 
in,  or  receiving  money  out  of  the 
exchequer,  or  applying  for  their 
particular  bufinefs. 

The  return  made  to  our  precept 
by  the  duke  of  Newcaftle,  auditor 
of  the  receipt  of  his  majefty's  ex«r 
chequer,  and  the  examinations  of 
Edward  Wilford,  efq.  his  firft 
clerk,  and  of  Mr.  William  Jones, 
the  tally-writer,  fupplied  uss  with 
a  knowledge  of  the  ftate  of  the 
emoluments  received^  by  the  of- 
ficers and  clerks  in  this  branch  of 
the  exchequer,  the  bufinefs  of 
which  is  tranfa&ed  by  the  auditor 
and  twenty-three  fixed  clerks,  with 
other  occasional  affiftants  when 
wanted. 

The  auditor  is  appointed  fbr  life, 
by  a  conftitution  under  the  hands 
and  feals  of  the  commiflioners  of  the 
treafury.  Ail  the  exchequer  bills, 
orders;  debentures,  patents,  and 
other  instruments  which  pais  this 
office,  are  figned  by  him ;  the  of- 
ficial profits  are  not  received  by 
himfelf,  but  by  his  firft  clerk,  who 
accounts  with  him  for  them  tvery 
month  :  he  receives  eleven  annual 
allowances,  enumerated  in  an  ac- 
count tranfmitted  to  us,  and  in- 
ferted  in  the  appendix,  amounting 
to  3,7661.  js.  :  he  has  a  frnall  an- 
nual fee  from  the  wardrobe,  of 
4I.  17s.  j  and  is  entitled  to  fees  on 
the  receipt  of  money  into,  and/ 
ifiue  of  jnoney  out  of  the  exche- 
quer ;  the  firft  amounted  to 
170I.  13  s.  od.  the  latter,  to 
12,5541.  2S.  6d.  The  fum  he 
received  by  fees  for  entering  pa- 
tentsi  and  upon  impreft  bills,  was 
.      391-  5s- 


L 


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STATE     PAPERS. 


183 


39I.  5«rand  in  gratuities  345I.  7s.  5 
the  grofe  amount  of  all.  which  was 
•  i6,88ol.  6s.  3d.  Out  of  which 
fum  he  made  the  following  pay- 
ments: for  taxes,  8721.  12s.  5  to 
clerks,  1,6621.  10s. ;  for  incidental 
expences  of  office,  329I.  2d. ;  to- 
gether, 2,864!.  -2S.  2d. ;  which 
reduced  his  clear  receipt  to 
14,0161.  4s.  jd. 

The  firft  clerk  h3s  an  annual  al- 
lowance of  iool.  and  the  clerk's 
fees,  amounting  to  3,001!.  16s.  80L; 
his  gratuities  were,  142k  17s. , 
making  together,  3,244!.  13s.  8M.5 
reduced,  by  payments  for  taxes, 
clerks,  and  incidental  expences  to 

The  reft  of  the  clerks  have  fala- 
ries  in  proportion  to  their  rank  and 
employment,  paid  to  them  either 
.  by  the  auditor,  or  his  firft  or  other 
clerks  :  they  have  fees  likewife  and 
^gratuities  of  various  kinds ;  and  out 
of  what  they  receive,  make  vari- 
ous payments.  An  account  of  all 
'which,  as  tranfmitted  to  us  from 
this  office,  is  inferted  in  the  ap- 
pendix. 

The  foundation  of  thefe  allow- 
ances and  fees,  and  the  authority 
under  which  they  are  claimed  and 
paid,  are  as  follows : 

Upon  the  king's  acceffion,  a  cer- 
tificate is .  tranfmitted  from  the  au- 
ditor's office  to  the  treafury,  pur- 
fuant  to  their  requifition,  con  lift- 
ing of  two  lifts ;  one  containing  the 
Ieveral  fees,  ialaries,  and  allow- 
ances, that  have  by  ancient  cuf- 
tom,  letters  patent,  conftitutions,  or 
other  authorities,  been  paid  to  the 
officers  and  minifters  of  the  ex- 
chequer, either  in  right  of  their 
offices  or  employments,  or  in  re- 
ward for  their  fervicej  the  other 
containing  the  fees,  falaries,  or  al- 
lowance*   th«t  have   been    fettled 


and  allowed  them  for  their  labour 
and  ex  pence  in  managing  and  per- 
forming the  bufinefs  of  the  annui- 
ties payable  at  the  exchequer.  This 
certificate  is  fen t  back  to  the  e^ 
chequer,  annexed  to  a  warrant  di- 
rected to  the  auditor,  authorifing 
him  to  draw  orders  or  pafs  deben- 
tures for  paying,  from  time  to  time, 
in  the  ulual  manner,  and  at  the 
accuftorued  times,  to  the  officer?, 
the  funis  in  the  certificate  men- 
tioned *,  the  firft  lift,  amounting  to 
i,8oil.  9s.  out  of  the  money  ap-' 
plicable  to  his  majefty's  civil  go- 
vernment 5  the  oth^r,  amounting  to 
3,9001.  out  of  the  refpe&ive  funds 
applicable  to  the  payment  of  the 
annuities. 

This  warrant  ftates  the  authority, 
under  .which  the  treafury  ifTued  it, 
to  bef  as  to  the  firft  litf,  either  the 
letters  patent,  con  ft  tut  ions  or  au- 
thorities, whereby  th  officers  hold 
their  employments,  or  the  general 
letters  patent  dormant  (by  which  - 
the  king  empowers  them  to  make 
variety  of  payments,  (herein  de- 
fcribed,  out  of  the  civil  lift)  ;  and, 
as,  to  the  fecond  lift,  either  the 
powers  given  to  them  by  the  re- 
fpedire  a6ts  of  parliament  relative 
to  annuities,  or  any  other  power 
in  them  being. 

In  this  certificate  are  contained 
the  eleven  allowances  made  to  the 
auditor:  the  two  firft  of.  them, 
amounting  to  460I.  3s.  4d.  are  in 
the  firft  lift,  and  paid  to  him  in 
right  of  his  office  :  the  other  nine, 
making  3,3051.  17s*.  8d.  are  in  the 
fecond  Hit,  and  paid  to  him  as  a  re- 
compence  for  his  trouble  in  the 
bufinefs  of  the  annuities,  by  virtue 
of  the  power  vefted  in  the  treafury 
by  the  ieveral.  a&s,  to  provide  for 
the  charges- of  management. 

The  fees  of  the  auditor,  upon  the' 
&  4  receipt 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


1-84       ANNUAL    REGISTER,  1786. 


receipt  of  money,  are :  ift,  about 
tOne  fourth  part  of  the  tally-court 
fees ;  of  which  fourth,  his  clerk  at- 
tending in  the  tally-court  has  a 
ih$re :  ^dly,  part  of  a  fum  allowed 
by  the  treafury  to  fome  of  the  ex- 
chequer officers  for  the  tallies  of 
loan  which  are  exempt  from  fees. 

The  fees  upon  the  iffue  are,  a 
poundage  upon  money  iffued  for 
certain  fervices,  not  for  all  fervices. 
In  the  year  1780,  the  fum  on  which 
the  poundage  fees  were  paid  was 
near  eight  millions :  upwards  of 
twenty-two  millions  more  were  if- 
fued in  that  year,  for  which  neither 
the  auditor  nor  his  clerks  received 
any  fees,  whatever.  The  other 
fees  are,  certain  payments  for  tranf- 
a&ing  particular  kinds  of  bufinefs. 
All  thefe  fees  are  regulated  by  a 
table,  fpecifying,  both  for  the  audi- 
tor and  hfs  clerks,  the  rate,  where 
it  is  a  poundage,  other  wife  the 
quantum,  of  each  fee  r  this  table  is 
for  the  moft  part  grounded  upon 
ufage,  recognifed  as  ancient  by  the 
barons  of  the  exchequer  in  the 
year  1692,  as.  to  thofe  fees  the  fub- 
je6t  matter  of  which  exifted  at  that 
time  ;  and  acquiefced  in,  as  to 
thofe  fees  the  fubject  matter  of 
which  is  of  a  date  fubfequent  to 
that  year. 

By  an  a&,  paffed  in  the  3d  year 
of  William  and  Mary,  the  officers 
sre  prohibited 
;r  fees,  for  the 
the  fupplies 
\y  other  act  of 
fuch  ancient 
Id  be  allowed 
is  of  the  court 
^ere  required 
ufes  of  pari ia- 
fiions,  a  table 
:m  allowed  as 
The  barons,  in 


purfuance  of  this  power,  made  a 
report,  containing  the  table  re- 
quired :  this  report  is  enrolled  in 
the  '  office '  of  the  king's  remem- 
brancer :  a  copy  of  it  is  inferted 
in  the  appendix  ;  it  comprehends 
the  fees  to  be  taken  upon  the  re-^ 
ceipt  and  iffue  of  money  in  the  of- 
fices of  the  auditor,'  the  clerk  of 
the  pells,  the  tellers,  and  the  tally- 
court  5  and  is  the  rule,  though  the 
act  is  long  fince  expired,  by  which 
they  are  governed  at  this  day,  ex- 
cept in  fome  few  inftances,  where 
ufage,  (ince  that  report,  has  intro- 
duced variations  ;  one  of  which  is, 
by  the  barons  report  the  whole 
of  the  fees  paid  to  the  officers  of 
the  exchequer,  upon  the  iffue  of 
money  for  the  army  fervices  in  ge- 
neral, was  three  halfpence  in  the 
pound  j  but,  ever  fince  the  year 
1744,  a  difference  has  been  made 
between  the  iffue  for  the  ordinary 
and  extraordinary  fervices ;  the  fees 
for  the  firft  continue  at  three  half- 
pence; thofe  for  the  latter  are 
reduced  to  one  penny  only  in  the 
pound. 

Thefe  payments  come  out  of 
different  funds.  The  two  firft  al- 
lowances to  the  auditor,  the  trea- 
fury allowance  for  the-  tallies  of 
loan,  the  wardrobe  fee,  and  the  al- 
lowance to  the  firft  clerk,  which 
is  included  in  the  firft  lift  of  the 
exchequer  certificate,  are  ^paid  out 
of  the  civil  lift  j  the  other  nine 
allowances  are  paid  out  of  the 
funds  created  by  the  feveral  ads, 
and  therefore  out  of  the  public 
money.  The  fees  of  the  tally- 
court,  and  from  iffues,  and  for 
other  bufinefs,  are  paid  immedi- 
ately by  individuals;  but  all  the 
exchequer  fees  paid  on  the  iffues 
for  the  army  fervices,  amount- 
ing, in  the  year  1780,  to  39,1981. 

7s.  iod. 


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STATE     PAPERS. 


185 


Jfs.  iod.  aTe  charged  by  the  pay- 
mafter  general  or  the  forces  upon 
the  deductions  of  twelve-pence  in 
the  pound,  and  therefore  paid 
by  the  public.  Of  the  fum  of 
7,9^0,3401.  on  the  iflue  of  which 
Fees  were  paid,  7,311,7321.  part 
thereof,  was  money  belonging  to 
the  public  5  6<$8,6o81.  other  part, 
was  out  of  the  civil  lift. 

From  the  account  in  the  appen- 
dix, it  appears^  that  the  total  fum 
received  in  this  office,  was  21,2731. 
16s. ;  the  net  fum  was  19,8801. 16s. 
4d.:  the  fum  of  13,7081.  12s.  id. 
was  paid  by  the  public  5  1,1 1 61. '7s. 
$d.  out  of  the  civil  lift ;  and  6,4481. 
i6s.  6d.  by  individuals. 

From  the  return  made  to  us  by 
the  right  hon.  Sir  Edward  Walpole, 
clerk  of  the  pells,  and  the  examina- 
tions of  Edward  Roberts,  efq.  his 
deputy  and  firft  clerk,  and  Mr. 
Henry  Thomas^  clerk  of  the  introi- 
tus,  we  learned  the  ftate  of  the  pro- 
fits received  by  the  officers  and 
clerks  in  this  office  5  which  office 
confifts  of  the  clerk  of  the  pells,  his 
deputy  and  firft  clerk,  and  fourteen 
inferior  clerks. 

The  clerk  of  the  pells  is  appointed 
for  life,  by  a  conftitution  under  the 
hands  and  feals  of  the  commiflion- 
ers  of  the  treafury,  to  .exercife  his 
office  either  by  himfelf  or  deputy. 
In  confequence  of  this  privilege,  it 
has  not  been  ufual,  for  many  years, 
for  the  clerk  of  the  pells  to  ex- 
ecute any  part  of  the  bufinefs  him- 
felf; the  deputy  tranfacts  the  whole, 
and  receives  and  accounts  with  his 
principal  for  all  the  profits  that 
belong  to  him.  The  clerk  of  the 
pells  receives  thirteen  diftin6t  al- 
lowances, fet  forth  in  the  return, 
amounting  to  1,6031.  os.  ud.  paid 
to  him  by  order  or  debenture.  One 
'   of  them,  61I.  13s.  4d.  is  inferted  in 


his  conftitution,'  and  is,  together 
with  fix  more,  making  3o£>l.  is.  8d. 
included  in  the  firft  lift  in  the  Ex- 
chequer certificate,  and  therefore 
payable  out  of  the  cjvil  lift :  the  re- 
maining fix,  amounting  to  1,235!. 
js.  1  id.  are  in  the  fecond  lift,  and 
therefore  payable  out  of  the  refpec- 
tive  annuity  funds.  His  fees  upon 
the  receipt  confift  of,  about  one- 
fourth  part  both  of  the  tally-court, 
fees  and  of  the  treafury  allowance 
for  the  tallies  of  loan ;  a  certain  part 
of  both  of  which  is  appropriated  to 
his  clerk  of  the  introitus.  His  lhare 
of  thefe  fees  and  allowances jcarae  to 
194I.  5s.  iofd.  His  fees  on  the 
iflue  are,  like  thofe  of  the  auditor, 
a  poundage,  at  different,  rates  for 
different  fervices,  paid  by  the  per- 
fons  receiving,  according  to  a  table 
hung  up  in  the  office,  taken,  and 
varying  but  little  from  the  barons 
report ;  and  according  to  the  fame 
table,  fome  ancient  fees  are  taken 
for  the  entries,  enrollments,  and  ex- 
aminations of  certain  inftrumerits. 
All  the  above  fees  amounted  to 
7,700!.  2s.  8d.  and7  his  gratuities 
from  the  public  offices,  to  53I.  is.  j 
which  made  his  grofs  receipt  9,43 2I. 
is.  6;d. :  out  of  which  he  paid 
1,834].  9s.  6d.  The  particulars  of 
thefe  payments  are  ftated  in  a  re- 
turn inferted  in  the  appendix,  and 
reduced  his  clear  receipt  to  7,597!* 
12s.  o;d. 

The  deputy  and  firft  clerk  has  a 
falary  of  420I.  a  yea»-  pa-d  to  him 
by  his  principal :  *h'n  fee?  are,  a 
poundage  upon  one  heid  cf  iflue 
only,  that  is,  the  iflue  on  annuities,, 
penflons,  &e.  at  the  ratr  lUtcA  in 
the  •barons  report ;  and  alfo  fome 
other  fmall  fees  and  ^ratuitie1  em- 
merated  in  the  aceonnt  r>f  the  ">< i- 
cers  and  clerks  fees  in  th^*  ipp^"  ;, 
amounting  to  283I.  6s.   id.     T      e 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


i86       ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


two  fums  were  reduced,  by  the  pay- 
ment of  22I.  for  taxes,  to  the  net 
fum  of  681I.  6s.  id. 

The  clerk  of  the  intr6itus  has  a 
{hare  of  the  tally-court  fees,  and  of 
the  treafury  allowance,  and  fome 
other  frhall  fees,  allowances,  and 
gratuities  j  the  whole  producing 
348I.  9s.  9 [d. ;  reduced,  by  9I.  7s. 
for  taxes,  to  339I.  2s.  9  id. '  . 

The  reft  of  the  clerk's  have  fala- 
ries, from  50I.  to  120I.  paid  them 
by  the  principal,  and  a  few  of  them 
fome  fmall  fees  and  gratuities. 

From  a  ftate  of  the  total  received 
and  paid  in  this  office,  the  fum  re- 
ceived was  10,2691.  19s.  2jd.;  the 
.net  fum  9,5431.  13s.  9|d.  3  the  fum 
paid  by  the  public,  5,9641.  4s.  9d. ; 
out  of  the  civil  lift,  752I.  is.  ${d.  j 
and  from  individuals,  3,5531.  13s. 
2d. 

From  the  return  made  ,to  our 
precept,  and  the  examinations  of 
Daniel  Wray,  William  Price,  Rich- 
ard Welles,  and  Charles  Town- 
/hend,'  efqrs.  the  deputies  and  fir  ft 
clerks  of  the  right  hon.  earl  of  Hard- 
wicke,  the  earl  of  Northington,  earl 
Temple,  and  the  hon.  John  Jeffreys 
Pratt,  the  four  tellers  of  the  exche- 
quer, we  obtained  an  account  of 
the  emoluments  received  in  this 
office. 

The  tellers  is  one  office  in  four 
divi firms :  earh  ronfifting  of  a  teller, 
t  clerk,  two  offices 
fame  per fon,  a  fe- 
d  three  inferior 
yen ty- four  perfons. 
01  n ted  for  life,  by 
Inch  empower  him 
office  by  deputy ; 
;  whole  bufinefs  of 
tow,  and  long  has 
entirely  by  depu- 
himfelf  executes 
ie  does  not  colled 


his  own  profits ;  they  are  received 
and  accounted  for  to  him  by  his  de- 
puty. A  ^  ■  '■ 
Each  teller  receives  yearly  an  an- 
cient falary  or  fee  belonging  to  his 
office ;  the  fenior  33I.  6s.  8d.  the 
three  juniors  31I.  13s.  4d.  each. 
They  have  likewiie  fix  annual  al- 
lowances from  the  treafury  for  thair 
trouble  in  paying  the  annuities, 
whiclf  are  equally  divided  among 
the  four  :  the  (hare  of  each  is  339I. 
14s.  i*d.  Thefe  falaries  and  al- 
lowances are  in  the  exchequer  cer- 
tificate ;  the  falaries  in  the  firft  lift, 
the  allowances  in  the  fecond.  The 
tellers  are  paid  nothing  upon  the 
receipt  of  money  3  their  fees  arife 
from  the  iflue,  and  confift  of  a 
poundage  on  iffues,  not  for  all, 
but  for  certain  fervices,  and 
different  for  different  fervices,  ac- 
cording to  rates  fpecified  in  the 
table  of  fees  ftated  in  the  re- 
turn, and  taken  from  the  barons 
report,  but  varying  from  it  in  the 
rate  on  the  iffues  for  the  extraordi- 
naries  of  the  army,  as  before  men- 
tioned, and  on  the  iffues  for  pen- 
fions,  and  fpme  other  fervices, 
which,  though  fubjedt  to  fees  in 
that  report,  are  fince  exempted  by 
a6ts  of  parliament.  Thefe  fees  are 
divided  equally  amongft  the  four 
tellers  -,  and  the  ihare  of  each  was 
7,0381.  15s.  o^d.  The  fum,  oq 
the  iflue  of  which  thefe  fees  were 
taken,  was  near  i6,ooo,oool. :  the 
fum,  for  which  no  fees  were  taken, 
was  upwards  of  14,000,0001.  as  be- 
ing exempt  either  by  a&s  of  parlia- 
ment, courtefy,  or  ufage.  The 
fum  fubje&  to  fees  in  the  office  of 
the  tellers  exceeds  the  fum  fubje& 
to  fees  in  the  offices  of  the  auditor, 
and  clerk  of  the  pells  5  for  the  ba- 
rons report  makes  the  fum  iflued  to 
the  navy,  (.which  in  the  year  1780 
exceeded 


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STATE     PAPERS. 


187 


exceeded  6,000,000].)  and  to  the 
ordnance,  liable  in  the  one,  and  not 
in  the  other.  The  falary,  and.  one- 
fourth  part  of  the  allowances  and 
fees,  which  conftijtute  the  grofs  re- 
ceipt of  the  firft  teller,  amounted  to 
^,4091.  17s.  ifd.  5  out  of  which  he 
paid  for  clerks,  taxes,  gratuities, 
?md  incidental  expences,  713I.  5s. 
4^d. ;  the  remainder,  being  his  net 
receipt,  was  6,6961.  us.  9Jd. 

The  grofs  receipt  of  the  fecond 
teller,  confiding  of  the  like  articles, 
andalfo  of  4ol.for  the  rent  of  a  houfe 
belonging  to  his  office,  was  7,4501. 
2s.  5|d. :  his  payments  for  clerks, 
taxes,  and  incidents,  were  77121.  16s. 
6d. ;  which  left  him  a  net  receipt  of 
6,6771.  5s.  n|d. 

The  grofs  receipt  of  the  third 
teller,  was  the  like  fum":  bis  pay- 
ments were  742I.  17s.  5  which  left 
him  a  clear  balance  of  6,7071.  js. 
5|d. ;  but  the  third  teller,  taking  to 
himfelf  a  portion  of  his  firft  clerk's 
fees,  amounting  to  i,jo81.  15s.  7d. 
and  all  his  fecond  clerk's  fees  (de- 
ducing the  taxes),  being  1,3371.  2s. 
id.  his  net  receipt  was  9,1531.  3s. 

iH 

The  profits  of  the  office  of  the 
fourth  teller;  (which  were  divided 
between  Mr.  Townfhend,  the  late 
teller,  or  his  executors,  and  Mr. 
Pratt,  who  fucceeded  to  this  office 
May  21,  1780).  were  7,511!.  3s. 
7fd. :  the  deductions  were  77 il.  os. 
id. ;  which  reduced  the  clear  receipt 
to  6,7401.  3s.  6Jd.  The  articles 
compofing  thefe  feveral  receipts  and 
deductions,  and  thofe  which  follow 
relative  to  the  clerks,  are  enumerat- 
ed in  the  return  tcanfmitted  to  us 
fromvthis  office. 

The  deputy,  as  fuch,  has  no  pro- 
fit whatever  5  but,  as  firft  clerk,  he 
has  fees  both  upon  the  receipt  and 
iflue  :  the  fees  upon  the  receipt  are 


called  bill-money',  and  are  in  confe- 
deration of  his  writing  the  bills : 
they  are  paid  according  to  an  an- 
cient table  of  fees  ufed  in  the  dffice, 
and  dated  in  the  return ;  not /in- 
cluded in  the  barons  report,  becaufe 
that  report  relates  to  tlje  fapplies 
granted  by  that  parliament  only. 
This  bill-money  is  divided  equally 
among  the  four  firft  clerks  5  the 
fhare  of  each  was  182I.  9s. 

The  fees  upon  the  ifTue  are,  a 
poundage,  after  a  certain  rate,  for 
certain  fervices,  according  to  the 
barons  report,  fimilar  to  that  of  the 
tellers,  with  the  like  variations  and 
exemptions:  thefe  fees  are  divided 
into  eight  equal  parts,  and  belong 
to  the  four  firft  and  the  four  fecond 
clerks ;  the  eighth  part  or  fhare  of 
each  was  1,379!.  12s.  jd.  Each 
firft  clerk  receives  alfo  annually,  in 
gratuities  from  public  offices,  46U 
4s.  Thefe  articles,  of  bill-money, 
fees,  and  gratuities,  making  toge- 
ther i,6o81.  5s.  id.  was  the  grofs 
receipt  of  the  firft  clerks  to  the 
three  junior  tellers.  The  firft  clerk 
to  the  fenior  teller  received  more ; 
he  had  the  allowance  of  339I.  14s. 
and  23  ol.  out  of  the  fees  of  the  fe- 
cond clerk,  in  confideration  of  his 
paying  the  falaries  of  the  three  under 
clerks,  and  as  an  additional  recom- 
pence  for  his  care  and  trouble  in  the 
execution  of  his  office.  Thefe  fums 
increafed  his  grot's  receipt  to  2,177!. 
19s.  id :  out  of  which  he  paid  in 
taxes,  for  clerks,  and  other  ex- 
pences, 457I.  is.  reducing  thereby 
his  net  receipt  to  1,7201.  *8s.  id. 
The  firft  clerk  to  the  fecond  teller 
reduced  his  receipt  of  i,6o81.  5s. 
id.  by  the  payment  of  51K  14s. 
for  taxes  and  incidental  expences, 
to  1,556!.  us.  id.  The  firft  clerk 
to  the  third  teller  paid  in  taxes  and 
gratuities  53I.  5s.  6d. }  the  remaining 

fum 


igitizedbyV^C  f 


i88        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 

ium  of  1,554!.  19s.  yd,  he  did  not 
retain  to  his  own  ufe :  he  is  allowed 
by  his  teller,  for  the  execution  of 
this  office,  a  falary  of  400I.  a -year, 
and  the  gratuities  of  46I/4S. ;  thefe 
he  retains;  but  the  refidue,  being 
i,io81.  15s.*  yd.  lie  paid  to  the  third 
teller.  The  firfl  clerk  to  the  fourth 
teller  paid  out  of  his  receipt  53I.  5s. 
6d.  for  taxes  and  gratuities,  and,  in 
addition  to  the  falary  of  the  fenior 
under  clerk,  37I.  12s.  ojd.  being  at 
the  rate  of  iool.  a-year,  from  the 
31ft  of  May,  the  time  of  Mr.  Pratt's 
appoiritment,  to  Michaelmas  1780^ 
Thefe  payments  reduced  his  clear 
receipt  to  1,5171'.  7s.  6jd. 

The  only  profit  appropriated  to 
the  office  of  the  fecond  clerk,  is  the 
eighth  part  of  the  fees  on  the  ifTues, 
which  was  1,3791.  12s.  id.  The 
fecond  clerks  to  the  firft,  fecond,  and 
third  tellers,  never  attend  the  office, 
*or  tranfacl:  any  official  bufinefs  what- 
ever;  the  firft  clerk  receives  the 
fhare  of  the  fees  belonging  to  the 
fecond,  makes  the  ufual  payments 
out  of  it,  and  pays  the  refidue  to 
fuch  perfoh-  as'  the  teller  has  named 
as  his  fecond  clerk,  or  otherwife  to 
the  teller  himfelf.  The  payments 
out  of  the  fhare  of  the  fecond  clerk 

s.  for 

1.    to 

,  be- 

o  the 


lings 
?es  of 
eller: 

17s. 
Jerk. 
0  the 

the 
s,  to 
hich 
jfelf. 


The  fecond  clerk  in  the  remaining 
divifion  has  been  in  a  fituation  dif- 
ferent from  the  reft.  During  the 
time  Mr.  Townfhend  was  teller,  his 
fecond  clerk  attended  the  bufinefs 
of  the  office,  who  received  the  fees 
belonging  to  the  fecond  clerk,  fub- 
je&  only  to  the  payment  of  the  taxes* 
there  were  then  but  two  clerks  more 
employed:  the  fhare  of  thefe  fees 
that  accrued  in  Mr.Townfhend's  life- 
time was  801I.  2s.  id. ;  out  of  which 
26I.  jos.  6d.  the  proportion,  of 
taxes,  being  paid,  the  remaining 
774I.  us.  7d.  was  the  net  receipt 
of  the  fecond  clerk  to  Mr.  Townf- 
hend. The  fecond  clerk  appointed 
by  the  prefent  teller  has  never  at- 
tended ;  but,  out  of  his  fees,  the 
fenior  of  the  under  clerks,  who 
was  fecond  clerk  to 'Mr.  Townf- 
hend, is  allowed  400I.  a-year :  his 
fhare  of  the  fees  for  the  remainder 
of  the  year,  was  578I.  10s. ;  out  of 
which  was  raid  15I.  19s.  6d.  for 
taxes,  and  150I.  8s.  2jd.  being  fo 
much  of  the  falary  of  400I.  as 
accrued  between  the  time  the  tel- 
ler was  appointed  and  the  Michael- 
mas following ;  the  remainder,  be- 
ing 412I.  2s.  5^d-  was  paid  to  the  fa- 
ther of  the  teller. 

The  under  clerks  are  paid  by  fuch 
falaries  as  each  teller  thinks  proper 
to  allow  them :  they  have  no  fees  ; 
but  receive  fome  fmall  gratuities, 
amounting  in  the  year  to  about  20I. 
to  each  divifion. 

An  account  of  the  receipts  and 
payments  in  this  office  fhews  the 
grofs  receipt  to  be  41,7721.  14.  5d. 
and  the  net,  38,1381.  13s.  2|d. : 
29,2721.  3  s.  4d.  is  paid  out  of  pub- 
lic money;  1,0241.  9s.  out  of  the 
civil  lift;  and  11,4761.  2s.  id.  by 
individuals. 

A  return  tfas  made  to  our  precept 

from  the  chamberlain's  office.     We 

examined 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


STATE    PA  PERS. 


tig 


txamined  Abraham  Farley  and 
William  Hammond,  efqrs.  deputies 
on  the  receipt  fide,  and  James  Gal- 
loway and  George  Rofe,  efqrs.  de- 
puties on  the  court  fide,  to  Monta- 
gue Burgoyne,  efq.  and  the  hon. 
Frederick  North,  the  two  chamber-" 
lains  of  the  exchequer.  We  re- 
ceived alfo  a  return  from  Thomas 
Lambe,  eGq.  tally-cutter,  and  ex- 
amined Mr.  Charles  Alexander,  his 
deputy.  ' 

This  office  coniiits  of  three  di- 
visions 5  the  receipt  fide,  or  tally 
court ;  the  court  fide ;  and  the  tal- 
ly-cutter's office :  it  is  compofed 
of  nine  perfons ;  namely,  the  two 
chamberlains,  two  deputies  on  each 
iide,  one  under  clerk  on  the  court 
fide,  the  tally-cutter,  and  his  deputy. 

The  office  of  chamberlain  is  held 
for  life  by  letters  patent,  with  power 
to  execute  it  by  deputy.  By  virtue 
of  this  privilege,  jbefe  two  officers 
interfere  not  in  any  part  of  the  bu- 
finefs  of  this  office ;  it  is  all  tranf- 
a<5ted  on  both  (ides  by  the  deputies. 
Each  chamberlain  is  entitled  to  two 
annual  payments,  a'falary  of  52I. 
3s.  4d.  reduced  by  taxes  to  46!. 
17s. ;  and  13I.  6s.  6d.  wardrobe- 
money,  reduced  by  fees  to  nl.  19s. 
iod.j  together,  clear,  5 81.  16s.  iod. 
The  two  ialaries  are  in  the  firft  lift 
of  the  exchequer  certificate ;  the 
wardrobe-money  is  a  cuftomary 
payment.  They  receive  neither  fee 
nor  gratuity ;  but  they  take  to  them- 
selves a  part  of  the  profits  of  both 
their  deputies.  The  fenior  cham- 
berlain received,  out  of  the  fees  of 
his  deputy  on  the  receipt  lide,  70K 
and  out  of  the  fees  of  his  deputy  on 
the  court  fide,  256I.  6s.  iod.  which 
increafed  his  net  profits  to  385I.  3s. 
3d.  The  junior  chamberlain  re- 
ceived, out  of  the  profits  of  his  de- 
puty on  the  receipt-fide,  2J2I.  3s. 


2d.  and  on  the  court  fide,  274I.  6s- 
lod. ;  which  made  his  clear  receipt 
585I.  8s.  iod. 

The  two  deputies  on  the  receipt 
fide  have  each  of  them  ancient  fa- 
laries ;  the  fenior  four,  amounting 
to  97I.  a  year;  the  junior  three, 
.  together,  57I.  a  year  :  the  firft  lift  of 
the  exchequer  certificate  contains 
them  all :  they  are  alfo  entitled,  in, 
equal  moieties,  to  one-fourth  par,t 
(with  fome  trifling  exceptions)  of 
the  fees  taken  \n  the  tally-court  5  qf 
which  the  ihare  of  each  deputy  was 
193I.  17s.  jd. :  each  of  them  received 
a  treafury  allowance  for  the  tallies 
of  loan,  70I.  i^s.  3d.  and  from  the 
paymafter  general  of  the  forces,  a 
gratuity  of  3I.  13s.  6d.  Thefe  fe- 
veral  items  produced  to  the  fenioif, 
365L  4s.  2d.  reduced,  by  the  pay- 
ment of  18I.  1 8s.  6d.  for  taxes,  and 
^oL  to  his  principal,  to  the  clear 
ium  of  276I.  5s.  8d. ;  and  produced 
to  the  junior,  325I.  4s.  2d.  reduced, 
by  the  payment  of  18I.  ijs.  6d.  for 
taxes,  to  306I.  8.  8d. ;  of  which  fum 
he  retained  to  bis  qwn  ufe  a  ialacy 
of  50I.  allowed  him  by  his  principal 
for  the  execution  of  the  office,  the 
gratuity  of  3I/  13s.  6d.  and  a  fum 
of  about  ten  iliillings  more,  making, 
together,  54I.  3s.  6d. ;  the  remain- 
der, being  25 2I.  js.  2d.  he  paid  to 
his  principal. 

An  ancient  table  regulates  the 
fees  taken  in  the  tally-court,  and 
eftimates  them,  either  by  the  tally, 
or  by  the  fum  paid  in :  they  are  re- 
ceived from  the  .perfons  who  take 
away  the  tallies  and  are  divided  for 
the  molt  part  into  four  equal  por- 
tions, one  of  which  belongs  to  the 
auditor'  and  his  clerk,  another  to 
the  clerk  of  the  pells  and  his  clerH, 
a  third  to  the  two  deputy  chamber* 
lains  on  the  receipt- fide,  and  the 
fourth  to  the  tally-cutter. 

The* 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


190      ANNUAL     REGISTER,    1786. 


The  two  deputies  on  the  court 
fide  have  each  an  ancient  falary  of 
five  pounds  a  year,  inferted  in  the 
firft  lift  of  the  exchequer  certifi- 
cate 5  and  are  entitled,  in  equal 
moieties,  to  fees  paid  by  accountants 
for  joining  tallies,  according  to  an 
ancient  table,  and  eftimated  either 
by  the  tall)',  or  the  fum  to  be  ac- 
^counted  for;  the  moiety  of  thefe 
fed  was  261 1.  7d.  and  of  the  trea- 
furry  allowance  for  the  tallies  of 
loan,  861.  18s.  o,d. ;  together,  to  each 
deputy,  352I.  19s.  4d. :  out  of  this 
fum,  the  deputy  to  the  feuior  cham- 
berlain paid  i61.  2s.  6d.  for  taxes, 
and  three  pounds  for  incidental  ex- 
pences;  which  reduced  the  clear 
receipt  to  333I.  16s.  iod. :  of  this 
fum  he  retained  65I.  as  his  falary 
for  the  execution  of  the  office,  and 
j2l.  ios.  for  the  under  clerk  3  the 
refidue,  being  256I.  6s.  iod.  he  paid 
to  his  principal.  The  like  ihare  of 
the  deputy  to  the  junior,  was  re- 
duced, by  the  like  payments  for 
taxes,  and  12I.  ios.  to  the  clerk,  to 
t  of  which,  retain- 
ed, he  paid  the 
!.  iod.  to  his  prin- 
•  clerk  has  only  a 
r,  paid  ta  him  out 
deputies. 

■  is  appointed  by 
the  commiflioners 
iring  pleafure :  he 
of  the  bufinefs  of 
;  his  deputy  tranf- 
it :  he  has  a  falary 
r,  inferted  in  the 
bequer  certificate, 
lowance  from  the 
an  tallies  of  141 1. 
70  fums  are  paid 
id :  his  fourth  of 
;es  amounted  to 
iefe  fums,  making 


together  513I.  4s.  4d.  were  reduced^ 
by  14I.  12s.  9d.  paid  for  taxes,  and 
57I.  is.  3d.  allowed  to  his  deputy, 
to  441I.  ios.  4d.  clear  receipt.  The 
deputy,  in.  addition  to  his  falary,  re- 
ceived from  the  ufher  il.  ios.  for 
grinding  tools,  and  il.  3s.  6d.  in 
gratuities  j  which  made  his  netvre- 
ceipt  59I.  14s.  9d. 

The  grofs  charge  of  this  office, 
comprehending  all  its  divifions,  i$ 
2,0431.  4s.  6d. ;  to  which  the  public 
contributed  7I.  7s. ;  the  civil  lift 
758I.  ios.  2d.  3  and  individuals, 
1,2771.  7s.  4d. :  the  net  receipt  was 
1,9171.  6s.  9d. 

But  to  the  expence  created  by 
.tli is  office,  muft  be  added  thole  por- 
tions of  the  tally-court  fees,  and  the 
treafury  allowances  for  the  tallies  of 
loan,  paid  to  the  auditor  and  the 
clerk  of  the  pells,  amounting  toge- 
ther to  r,o2il.  5s.  included  in  the 
accounts  of  the  profits  of  thofe  of- 
fices ;  which,  added  to  the  grofs  fum 
of  2,0431.  4s.  6d.  increafes  the  total 
expence  of  the  chamberlain's  office 
to  3,0641.  9s.  6d. 

The  return  of  the  hon.  Horace 
Walpole,ufher  of  theexchequer,and 
the  examination  of  Charles  Bedford, 
efq.  his  deputy,  fupplied  us  with  a 
ftate  of  the,  emoluments  of  this  of- 
fice; in  which  three  perfons  are  con- 
cerned, the  uiher,  the  deputy,  and 
the  clerk;  who  is  alfo  yeoman  ufher. 

The  uiher  is  appointed  for  life, 
by  letters  patent,  with  power  to  ex- 
ercife  this  office  by  deputy  5  which 
power  it  has  been  ufual  for  the  ufher 
to  make  ufe  of}  and  confequentlj 
the  bufinefs  of  this  office  is  trani- 
a6ted  entirely  by  the  deputy.  The 
ufher  receives  feveral .  fmall  half- 
yearly  fees  or  payments,  on  differ- 
ent accounts,  enumerated  in  the 
return,  and  amounting  in  the  year 

to 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


STATE    PAPERS. 


igt 


to  40I.  173.  8d. ;  but  his  principal 
advantage  is  tl)e  profit  he  rriakes,  by 
fupplying*  the  treafury  and  exche- 
quer with  ftationary  and  turnery 
ware,  and  feveral  other  articles,  and 
the  exchequer  with  coals,  and  by 
employing  the  workmen  who  do  the 
repairs  of  the  exchequer  and  £he  in- 
fide  of  the  treafury.  There  is  an  an- 
cient table  kept  in  the  offices  of  the 
auditor  and  the  u flier,  which  con- 

.  tains  a  long  catalogue  of  the  articles 
furniflied  by  the  ufher,  and  a  certain 
price  affixed  to  each  article :  the 
uiher  is  allowed,  and  charges  govern- 
ment, for  each  article  he  furnifhes, 
at  the  rate  ftated  in  this  table  :  but 
this  table  does  not  contain  all  the 
items  he  provides  j  for  fuch  as  are 
jnot  included  in  it,  he  is  allowed 
a  profit  of  forty  per  cent,  and  on 
the  workmen's  bills  for  repairs  he 
has  a  profit  6f  3  s.  6d.  in  the  pound. 
The  total  of  thefe  gains  was  5,2521. 
8s.  44d.  and,  with  his  fees,  made 
his  grofs  receipt  5,293!.  6s,  ojd. 
His  deductions  were,  for  taxes, 
476I.  5  id.  \  to  his  deputy  a  falary 
of  144I.  and  one-third  of  the  poun- 
dage on  the  bills  for  repairs,  234I. 
4s.  6d..;  to  the  clerk  a  falary  of  50I. 
and  to  him  as  yeoman  ufher  3  61. 
8s»  3d. ;  in  fees  46L  18s. ;  and.for  in- 

.  ci dental  expences,  105I.  14s.  iod. 
The  amount  of  thefe  deductions  is 
1,0931.  6s.  O/d,  and  reduced  his  net 
receipt  to,  4,2001. 

The  deputy  received,  in  fees 
from  the  ftationers,  and  other*, 
145!.  5s.  1  id.  which  added  to 
his  falary,  and  poundage  on  the 
workmen's  bills,  made  523I.  10s. 
5d. ;  .from  which,  4I.  being  de- 
ducted for  taxes,  his  net  receipt 
was  5191.  10s.  5d.  The  clerk  receiv- 
ed, in  gratuities,  761.1s.  which,  with 
his  falary  from  the  uiher,  made 
1^61.  is.     As  yeoman  uirter,    he 


received,  in  gratuities,  23I.  2s.  6d:; 
which  with  the  payment  from  the 
ufher,  produced  59I.  10s.  9d. ;  to- 
gether, 185I.  ns.  9d.  from  which 
there  was  no  deduction.  Hence  the 
grofs  ex  pence   of   this   office  was 

5»5371-  *58-  5 14-  5  the  net>  4*9°5l- 
2s.  2d.  The  public  contributed 
1,0071. 6s.  81-d.j  the  civil  lift,  4,2851. 
19s.  4d\j  and  individuals,  244I.  9s. 

By  the  return  tranfmitted  to  us 
from  the  office  of  the  paymasters  of 
exchequer-bills,  and  from  the  exa- 
mination of  Nathaniel  Barwell,  efq. 
one  of  the  paymafters,  we  obtained 
the  information  following : 

This  office  is  executed  by  three 
paymafters,  a  comptroller,  an  ac- 
countant, a  cafhier,  and  two  clerks  j 
to  which  are  added,  a  houfe-keeper 
and  meflenger,  and, occasional  a£- 
fiftant  clerks.  The  paymafters,  the- 
comptroller,  and  the  houfe-keeper, 
are  appointed  by  the  commiflioners 
of.  the  treafury,  by  conftitution, 
during  pleafurej  the  reft  of  the 
officers  are  appointed  by  the  pay- 
mafters themfelves.  This  office  is 
diftinguifhed  from  the  reft,  in  that 
the  officers,  as  well  as  the  clerks, 
are  all  paid  by  falaries  only.  No 
fee  or  gratuity  whatever  is  taken 
by  any  of  them,  except  a"  fmall  an- 
nual fee  of  2I  7s.  allowed  the  ac- 
countant for  making  up  his  year's 
account.  Each  paymafter  has  an 
annual  falary  of  283I.  6s.  8d.  which 
has  not  varied  fince  the  year  1736  : 
he  pays,  for  himfelf  and  clerks, 
,341.  3s.  4d.  fof  taxes  ;  which  re- 
duces it  to  249I.  3s;  4d.  The 
comptroller's  falary  is  350I.  a  year; 
reduced  by  the  payment  of  41I. 
10s.  for  taxes,  to  308I.  10s.  The 
falaries  of  the  reft  are  paid  clear 
of  deductions,  as  iiated  in  the* 
return  $    all  of   them   together  a- 

mount 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


tpz        AN  WUAL  REGISTER,   1786. 


mount  to  i,62ol,  which  is  paid  out 
of  the  public  funds.  > 

.From  the  account  of  the  contin- 
gent cxpences  of  this  office,  they 
were  169I.  17s.  yd.  paid  alio  by  the 


fyftem  of  ftri&  ceconomy  in  the  act* 
miniftration  of  the  public  revenue* 
which  the  legiflature  has,  by  the  a&, 
determined  to  be  neceflary.  By 
tfric\  ceconomy,"  we  apprehend, 


public  ;  fo  that  die  grofs  expence  of    is  not  meant  fuch  as  either  derogates 


this  office  to  the  public,  was  1,7921 
4s.  yd. ;  the  net  produce  to  the  of- 
iker§,  was  1,478!.  7s. 

That  the.  total  amount  of  the  ex- 
pences  attending  the  receiving  and 
iiluing  of  the  public  money  at  the 
receipt  of  his  majeity's  exchequer, 
may  appear  at  one  view,  we  fubjoin, 
in  the  appendix,  an  account  of  the 
totals  of  ihe  grofs  and  net  receipt  by 
the  officers  and  clerks  in  each  of  thele 
branches  of  the  exchequer,  with  the 
deductions  paid  thereout  during  the 
year  1780.  From  whence  it  appears, 
the  grofs  fum  received  by  all  of 
them,  in  fabrics,  fees^,  and  gratuities, 
was  82,5191.  16s.  63d. ;  and  the  net 
fum  75,8631.  19s.  3|d.  The  fum 
of  51,7511.  18s.  5Jd.  was  paid  by 
the  public  ;  8,oo8l.  5^d.  out  of 
the  civil  lift  3 .  22,93.9!,.  15s.  3d* .  by 
individuals  $  and  3,8671.  12s.  5|d. 
for  taxes. 

,    Such  is  the-ftate  of  the  falaries, 
fees,  and  gratuities  ;   and  fuch  the 


from  the  honour  and  dignity  of  the 
crown,  or  abridges  the  fervant  of  the 
public  of  the  due  reward  of  his  in* 
duftryand  abilities;  wemeanariceco*' 
nomy  that  (leers  between  extreme 
pariimony  on  the  one  hand,  and 
prof u {ion  on  the  other ;  that  is 
confident  with  juftice  as  well  as 
prudence ;  that  gives  to  all  their 
full  due,  and  to  none  more ;  that 
fupports  every  ufeful. and  neceflary 
citabliihment,  but  cuts  off  and  re- 
duces ever  fuperfluous  and  redun- 
dant expence.  Some  regulations, 
J)uilt  upon  the  principle  of  cecono- 
my thus  denned,  have  for  their  ob- 
jects the  offices,  the  officers,  and 
their  emoluments. 

An  office  of  the  higher!  antiquity, 
that  has  fubfiiled  for  ages  under  its 
prefent  form;  that  has  the  receipt 
and  cuftody  of  the'  public  treafure, 
upon  the dueadminiftratioi^of  which 
depends  the  national  creditand  fofety 
of  the  realm  ;  an'  office  of  fuch  a 


authority  under  which  they  are.  paid    defcription  is  entitled  to  the  utmoft 


and  received  in  thefe  offices.  But  the 
act  enjoins  us  a  ilill , farther-  duty  ; 
it  commands  us,  "  to  report  fuch 
t  regulations,  as,  in  our judgment^hall 
appear  expedient  to  Us  eftablilhed, 
in  order  that  the  duties,  taxes*  and 
monies,  granted,  received,  and  ap 


refpect,  and  alterations  in  its  efta- 
bliihment  mould  be  well  weighed,, 
and  propofed  with  caution  and  dif- 
fidence; but,  as  a  change  in  the 
manners,  cufioms,  .and  above  all, 
in  the  finances  of.  this  nation,  fince 
the  origin  of  this  office,   together 


propriated  for  the  public  fervice  of   with  peculiar  circumiiances  of  the 
y  hereafter  be.  re-    times,  may  render  regulations  ne 


n  the  manner  the 
1  advantageous  to 

:his  end  have,  in 
s  enquiry,  offered 
r  judgment;  re- 
to  introduce  that 


ceilary,  we  have  judged  it  a  part, 
of  our  duty  to  examine  into  the 
receipt  of  the  exchequer,  with, 
a  view  to  an  ceconomical  re- 
form. 

The  office  of  the  chamberlains 

of.  the   exchequer,    however    im- 

v     portant 


.Digitized  by  VjQOQH 


STATE    PAP  El  S. 


*9i 


Jx>rtant  in  ancient  times,  is,  at  this 
day,  occupied'  principally  in  the 
bufinefs  of  the  tally';  which  is  the 
official  acquittance  to  perfons -pay- 
ing money  into  the  exchequer. 
This  acquittance  has  various  for- 
malities, all  calculated  to  prevent 
the.pofiibility  of  a  forgery,  by  which 
the  accountant  'might,  on  pafling 
his  accounts,  be  difcharged  of  a  fum 
he  never  paid< 

The  teller  is  obliged,  as  foon  as 
he  receives  money,  to  tranfmit  the 
biD  by  which  he  Charges  himfelf 
with  that  receipt,  through  the  pipe 
into  the  tally-court  ;  where  the  fol- 
lowing officers  attend  :  ift,  the  tally- 
writer;  who  is  the -officer  of  the 
auditor,  and  takes  an  account  of 
the  fum,,  and  writes  it  on  both  fides 
of  the  tally  delivered  to  him,  with 
the  fum  cut  upon  it  in  notches  by' 
the  taliy-cutter.  2dly.  The  clerk 
of  the  introitus ;  who  is4he  officer 
of  the  pells,  and  records  the  re- 
ceipt: and  3dly,  the  two  deputy 
chamberlains  on  the  receipt  fide; 
whofplit;  the  tally,  examine  and 
compare  the  .two  parts  with  each 
other,  and  with  the  entry  made  by 
the  clerk  of  the  introitus.  The 
tally  is  delivered  to  the  accountant ; 
the  foil  is  delivered,  to,  and  kept 
by,  the  deputy  chamberlains  on 
the  court  fide,  until  the  account- 
ant, being  about  to  pafs  his  ac- 
counts, brings  to  them  the  account 
of  his  payments  into  the  exchequer, 
with  the  tallies :  thefe  chamber- 
lains examine  the  account,  join  the 
tallies  with  the  foils,  mark  both, 
certify  upon  the  account  that  the 
tallies  are  received  and  joined,  de- 
liver back  his  account  to  the'  ac- 
countant, keep  the  foil  in  the  of- 
fice, and  fend  the  tally  to  the  clerk, 
of  the  pipe.  In.this  operation  nine 
perfons  are  concerned. 

Vox,.  XXVIII. 


It  is  undoubtedly  trae,.  that  the 
public  revenue  cannot  be  too  fafely 
guarded  againft  fraud  of  every  kind; 
but  if  a  mode  of  receipt  can  be  fub- 
ffituted,  fimilar  to  what  is  practifed 
in  other  offices,  equally  fecure,  and 
at  but  little  expence,  fuch  a  mode 
demands  atten tion. 
_  Jf,  inftead  of  the~tally^court,  the 
clerks  of.  the  auditor,  and  of  the 
pells,  were  to  attend  the  office*  of 
the  tellers,  as  the  bank  clerk  does 
now,  and  take  an  account  of  the 
funis,  as  they  are  received  •,  if  aa 
indented  check  receipt  of  each  fuiri 
was  made  out,  compared  with  the 
entries,  and  marked,  with  an  intra- 
tuf  by  the  one  officer,  and  a  ,re- 
cordatur  by  the  other ;  if  this  re- 
ceipt, was  produced 'with  the  ac* 
count,  before  it  is  palled  and  ex- 
aminQfl  with  the  counterfoil,  and 
the  account  compared  with  the  en- 
tries in  the  office,  either  of  the  au- 
ditor, or  the  pells,  and  the  truth  oil 
it  certified  by  that  officer ;  a  check 
thus  fenced  feems  to  be  as  effec- 
tually fecured  againft  forgery  as 
the  tally,  is  a  mode  more  fimple, 
and  can  be  tran faceted  by  a  fingle 
clerk.  Nor  is  this  check  unknown 
in  the  exchequer;  the  bills  that  are 
iflued  every  year,  to  ji  gfreat  amount* 
both  in  number  and  value,  are  guard- 
ed by  the  check  indenture  and  coun- 
terfoil. 

The  other  bufinefs  of  this  office 
may,  without  injury  to  the  public, 
be  eafily  transferred  eife where' :  the 
cuftody  of  one  of  the  keys  to  the 
tellers  chefts,  Aht  number  of  which 
ought  not  to  be  diminifhed,  may  be 
•  committed  to  the  auditor  ;  and  the 
cuftody. of  the  ftandard  weights  and 
meafures,  and  of  the  ftandard  pieces 
of  gold  and  filver,  caufing  little 
trouble,  and  that  but  feldom,  .to  any 
other  office  in  the  exchequer, 

O  Seeing 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


i94        ANNUAL    REGISTER,   1786. 


Seeing,  therefore,  no  utility  ac- 
cruing to  the  public  from  the  office 
of  the  chamberlains,  beyond  the 
labour  of  a  tingle  clerk,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  a  confiderable  charge  in- 
curred annually,  in  fupporting  two 
chamberlains,  and  a  tally-cutter, 
three  finecures,  at  the  expence,  in 
the  year  1780,  of  1,4111.  2s.  lod.  5 
and  the  whole  office  at  the  expence 
of  3,064!.  ps.  6d.  3  we  are  of  opinion, 
that  public  prudence  requires  the 
fuppreffion  of  this  office,  and  the 
fubftitution  of  another  kind  of  re- 
ceipt in  the  place  of  the  the  tally. 

The  chief,  if  not  the  only,  prefent 
duty  of  the  ufher,  is  to  lupply  the 
treafury  and  exchequer  with  tfa- 
tionary  and  turnery  ware,  and  a 
variety  of  other  articles,  and  the 
exchequer  with  coals,  and  to  pro- 
vide workmen  for  certain  repairs ; 
he  is,  as  it  were,  a  factor  to  thefe  of- 
fices for  particular  neceffariesj  on 
all  which  he  has  a  profit.  The  a- 
monnt  of  the  four  liberates,  which 
contained  all  the  articles  provided 
by  hftn,  with  the  bills  for  repairs  in 
the  year  1780,  was  14,4401.  3s.  6d.; 
out  of  which  the  profits  to  the  ufher 
were  5,25a!.  8s.  4^.  j  fo  that,  fup- 
pofing  all  thefe  articles  could  have 
been  purchafed,  and  the  repairs 
done,  as  cheap  without  the  interven- 
tion of  the  ufher  (and  no  reafon 
appears  why  they  might  not)  the 
public  paid  14,4401.  39.  6d.  for 
what  was  really  worth  but  9,1871. 
15s.  2d. ;  that  is,  near  forty  per 
cent,  more  thari  they  would  have 
paid,  had  no  fuch  office  exifted  as 
that  of  the  ufher. 

As  whatever  is  wanjted  for  public 
ufe  fhould  be  purchafed  at  the  firfl 
hand,  and  at  as  cheap  a  rate  as  may 
btv  we  think  it  neceffary  for  the 
public  interefl,,  that^  the  office  of 
the  ufher  of  the  exchequer  fhould 


be  difcontiDwed,  as  expenfive  and 
uhneceffary ;  and  that  every  prin- 
cipal officer  fhould  procure  all  arti- 
cles requifite  for  his  own  depart- 
ment, and  for  that  purpofe  be  paid 
by  the  public  an  annual  allowance 
proportioned  to  the  wants  of  his 
office  -j  a  method  now  pra&ifed  in 
the  pavmafter  generaTs  and  in  vari- 
ous other  offices. 

The  teller's  is  one  office,  at  the 
head  of  which  are  placed  four  of- 
ficers, independent  of  each  other, 
each  prefiding  over  his  own  diftin& 
divifion,  but  none  of  them  contri- 
buting to  die  execution  of  any  part 
of  the  buiinefs.  It  is  expedient, 
that  in  an  office  of  this  importance, 
fome  perton  of  rank  and  refponfi- 
bility  fhould  prefide,  to  fnperin* 
fend,  direct,  and  contronl,  the  ex?- 
ecution,  with  an  appointment  ade- 
quate to  his  confequence  and  fta- 
tion  in  the  official  fcale,  leaving  to 
fubordinate  officers  and  minilters 
the  laborious  detail  of  the  execu- 
tion ;  but  no  advantage  is  derived 
to  the  public  from  placing  four  in- 
operative officers  at  the  head  of  this 
one  office. 

.  Judging  then,  as  we  muft  do, 
folely  by  the  rule  of  public  fruga- 
lity, and  fuppofing  the  nation  to 
ftand  in  need  of  every  practicable 
retrenchment,  and  confequently  to 
require,  the  reduction  of  every  ufe- 
lefs  and  expenfive  office,  we  are  led 
neceffarily  to  conclude,  that,  as  the 
public  fervice  receives  no  affirmance 
or  advantage  from  the  labours  of 
the  tellers,  and  the  public  treafure 
will  find  a  confiderable  inereafe 
from  their  emoluments,  the  public 
intereft  requires  their  number  mould 
be  reduced. 

Whatever  reafons  there  may  be 
for  continuing  thefe,  and  otbe*  of* 
fices  mentioned   above  y  whether 

drawn, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


STATE    PAPERS. 


«9* 


drawn  from  policy  or  expedience ; 
as  a  refonrce  for  the  reward  of  fer- 
vices,  in  preference  to  penfions  ;  or 
from  juuHee,  for  continuing  them 
during  the  lives  of  the  prefent  pof- 
feffors  only,  in  favour  of  tbe  rights 
of.  private  property  >  or  whether  it 
would  be  proper  to  change  *  them 
again  from  offices  for  life  to  offices 
during  pleafure ;  all  thefe  are  topics . 
not  within  the  limits  of  our  com- 
miflion,  'but  for  the  difcirflion  of 
the  legiilature  ,  wbofe  deliberations 
comprehend  arguments  drawn  from 
every  fonrce.  But,  in  whatever 
fhape  they  may  be  permitted  to 
continue,  every  reafon  of  prudence 
demands  theredu&ion  of  their  emo- 
luments, from  an  exeefs  to  a  rea* 
fonabie  limited  ftandard. 

There  are  likewife  in  this  office 
of  the  tellers,  four  officers,  under 
the  denomination  of  fecond  clerks, 
who  are  merely  nominal,  without 
attendance,  without  bufinefs,  care, 
or  trouble ;  but  they  have  fees,  and 
to  no  i  neon  fide  rabie  amount.  In 
the  year  1780,  the  total  of  them 
was  5/5 1 81.  8a.  4d.  and  were  either 
paid  to,  or  to  the  uie  of,  the  per- 
sons named  to  thefe  offices,  or 
increafed  the  profits  of  the  tellers 
themfelves.  Whatever  pretenfions 
a  fuperior  officer  may  have  to  an 
exemption  from  duty  and  fervice,  a 
finecure  is  repugnant  to  the  idea 
of  the  condition  of  a  clerk  in  office  5 
and  therefore  we  are  of  opinion, 
that  common  fenie  requires  the  iup- 
preffion  of  theoflices  of  the  fecond 
clerks  to  the  tellers.  « 

We  have  ranged  the  emoluments 
of  thefe  offiees  under  the  heads  of  Sa- 
la  ies,  Fees,  and  Gratuities.  From 
our  examination  into  the  ftate  of 
the  falaries,  many  of  them. appear 
to  be  made  up  of  a  variety,  and 
lometime*  of  very  lmall  payments, 


arifing  out  of  different  funds.  Of 
the  inferior  clerks,  feveral  pay  over, 
either  the  whole  or  portions  of  their 
falaries,  or  fees,,  to  increafe  the 
profits  of  other  clerks  >  all  which 
is  contrary  to  that  Simplicity  and 
regularity  that  ought  to  be  obferved 
in  every  office,  and  may  be  eafily 
corrected  by  a  regulation  we  {hall 
hereafter  propofe. 

Tbe  fees  are  either  fums  paid  forv 
tranfacYmg  particular  kinds  of  of- 
ficial bulineis,  or  a  poundage  5  the 
firff.  fort  of  fees  fall,  in  many  cafes*  ■ 
very  heavy  upon  individuals :  ta 
fome  cafes  they  fall  upon'  the 'pub- 
lic :  it  would  be  much  for  the  be- 
nefit? of  both,  as  well  as  fpr  the  ho- 
nour of  government,  that  all  per- 
fons  employed  in  the  public  fer- 
vice, and  who  rauft  of  neceflity  have 
recourfe  to  offices  fpr  inftru&ions, 
inftruments,  and  other  official  bu- 
iinefs,  effential  to  the  execution  of 
their  employments,  fhould  be  fur- 
niihed  with  all  neceflary  materials, 
and  have  their  bufinefs  done  in 
every  office,  without  fee  or  reward  :  • 
the  regulation  hereinafter  fuggefted 
will,  if  adopted,  be  attended  with 
this  good  effect. 

The  poundage  is  the  mod  fruit- 
ful fource  of  fees  to  raoft  of  the  fu- 
perior, and  to  fome  of  the  inferior 
officers;  it  is  a  payment,  after  fome 
certain  rato  in  the  pound,  upon  the 
fum  received,  or  ifTued,  or  con- 
tained in  fome  official  inftrument 
made  out  in  the  office,  and  deliver* 
ed  to  the  perfon  applying. 

In  ancient  times,  when  the  tran£ 
action  was  an  actual  delivery  of  mo- 
ney, and  that  money  confided  of 
coin  of  various  denominations  and 
value,  and  polfibly  dipt,  or  of 
doubtful  weight,  the  trouble  and 
attention  of  t!he  perfon  employed 
in  the  receipt  or  payment  in- 
O  a  creafed 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


196        ANNUAL     REGISTER,  1786. 


creafed  with  the  fum;  and  thereT 
fore  the  poundage  was  N a  mode  of 
reward  that  bore  a  proportion  to 
the  labour:  but  in  thefe  times, 
when  all  money  trarifa&ions  are 
carried  on,  not  by  the  medium  of 
cafh,  not  by  the  tale  or  weight  of 
current  coin,  but  by  the  iubfti tu- 
ition of  paper,  by  cafh,  notes, 
draughts,  or  bills,  to  any  amount ; 
fince  the  clear  and  concile  method 
'of  the  debtor  arid  creditor  account 
has  been  ib  univerfajly  introduced 
to  practice,  an  increafe  in  the  mag- 
nitude of  the  fums,  though  to  a  vait 
amount,  is  the  addition  of  a  few 
figures,  or  of  a  few  entries,  only  -, 
and  the  increafe  of  trouble  ariling 
from  it  is  too  inconfiderable  to  be 
eftimated.  The  examination  of 
Mr.  Cowper,  who  .atterids  daily  at 
the  exchequer  on  the  part  of  the 
toank,  mews  us  with  what  eafe",  per- 
spicuity, and  exa&nefs,  the  various 
and  moft  extenfive  receipts  and 
payments  of  the  public  revenue 
are  tranfa&ed  there,  by  the  inter- 
vention of  the  bank,  with  whom 
the  principal  offices  of  receipt,  and 
feveral  of  the  greater  accountants, 
keep  their  cafh  :  the  tranfaclions 
there,  of  each  day,  are  carried  on, 
not  in  coin  told  or  weighed  by  the 
tellers,  but  by  the  interchange  of 
cam  notes,  or  by  the  bare  entries 
of  the  fums  received  and  paid  ;  and 
that  account  being  made  ,up  when 
the  tranfa&ions  of  the  day  are  fi- 
nished, the  balance  only  id  either 
taken  out  of,  or  depofited  in,  the 
teller's  chefts,  in  exchequer  bills, 
or  labelled  bags  of  calh,  according 
as  that  balance  turns  out  in  favour 
of,  or  againit,  the  -bank. 
*  Befides  this  facility  in  conduct- 
ing money  tranla&ions,  a  courfe  of 
years  has  introduced,  and  very  ra- 
pidly within  thefe  few  years,  an- 


other alteration,  mod  fenfibly  felt,, 
in  this  payment  by  poundage.  In 
its  firft  eftabUfliment,  the  revenue 
of  this  kingdom  was  not  corifider- 
able,  and  the  profits  of  the  pound- 
age exceeded  not  the  earnings  of 
the  officer  3  but  in  thefe  later 
times,  the  neceffities  of  the  ftate 
have  required  a  revenue  far  beyond 
the  imagination  of  bur  anceftors. 
In  tne  year  under  our  contempla- 
tion, the  receipt  of  the  exche- 
quer was  31,821,1951.;  the  i flue, 
30,384,8381.:  on  near  i6,ooo,oool. 
was  a  poundage  paid  to  different 
branches  of  that  office,  amounting, 
as  much  of  it  as  we  could  extract 
from  the  returns,  and  which  is  not 
the  whole,  to  62,2251. ;  of  which 
much  the  greatefl  part  was  paid  to 
officers  for  tranfac\ing  either  very 
little,  or  no  bufinefs  at  all.  The 
total  of  the  emoluments  accruing 
in  that  year  to  the  inefTeclive  of- 
ficers of  the  exchequer,  amounted 

to  45'33'al- 

But  the  excefs  of  this  poundage 
reaches  beyond  the  fuperior  clafs; 
it  fwelled  the  profits  of  a  fingle  of- 
ficer, not  the  principal  in  the  de- 
partment, to  a  fum  nearly  equal  to 
what  fupported  an  entire  office  of 
equal  expenditure  for  the  whole  year. 
Th&net  actual  receipt  of  the  cafliietf 
alone,  in  the  pay-office  of  the  army, 
was  7,1751.*! 9s.  6d. :  the  net  receipt 
of  the  whole  pay-office  of  tjie  navy 
was  7,9381. ;  and  it  would  have  been 
inferior  to  that  of  the  cafhier,  had 
he  at  the  time  of  his  examination 
received  the  whole  of  his  income 
for  that  year. 

Since  then,  on  the  one  hand,  the 
improvements  of  the  age  have  taken 
away  the  foundation  upon  which 
this  fpecies  of  reward  was  built,. it 
is  but  reafonable  the  fuperftru&ure 
fhould  fall  with  it  5    and,   on  the 

other 


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STATE     PAPERS. 


'97 


other  hand,  the  exigencies  of  the  age 
having  converted  what  was  defigned 
to  be  the  reward  of  induftry,  into 
the  means  of  rendering  forne  bffices 
lucrative  toexcefs,and of  fupporting 
others  that  are  ufelefs  to  the  public, 
the  fubjeet.  has  a  right  to  be  relieved 
of  that  burthen  :  and  therefore  we 
are*. of  opinion,  that  all  poundage 
fee$,  of  every  kind  foever,  iliould 
be  fuppreifed,  and  totally  abolifh- 
ed  :  and  of  this  opinion  was  ths 
privy-council  -,  who,  by  their  or- 
der in  the  year  1695,  above  alluded 
to,  {hewed  their  fenfe  of  a  poun- 
dage, by  directing  it,  in.  inflances 
therein  mentioned,  to  be  fupprelied 
in  the  office  of  the  treafurer  of  the 
navy. 

The  remaining  head  is  that  of 
Gratuities;  a  fpecies  of  emolu- 
ment very  liable  to  abufe  :  it  may 
be  a  reward  for  civility,  favour,  or 
extra  fervicej  it  may  be  alfo  the 
purchafe  of  .undue  preference,  ex- 
pedition, and,  in  fome  -cafes,  of 
procraftination.  Flowing,  at  firft, 
from  the  liberality  of  opulence,  the 
oftentation  of  vanity,  or  the  de- 
fign  of  cunning,  it  very,  foon  af-- 
fumes  the  name  of  cuftom,  and 
becomes  a  claim,  fubmitted  to,  to 
avoids  the  imputation  of  meannefs, 
and  frequently  to  the  great  inconve- 
nience of  contracted  circumftances : 
nor  is  it  confined  to  individuals 
only ;  the  public  pay  their  fhare  : 
in  the  payments  out  of  the  deduo 
tions  of  twelve  pence  in  the  pound, 
there  are  two  articles,  making  653I. 
J2s.  8d.  dittributed  by  the  pay- 
m after-general  of  the  forces  in  gra- 
tuities. The  public  voice  unites 
with  that  of  individuals,  in  demand- 
ing a  fuppreflion  of  a  fpecies  of 
emolument  fo  eafily  perverted  to 
purpofes  injurious  to  the  intereft  of 
Tjoth, 


But  there  is  one  bother  fort  of 
gratuity,    that   requires    particular 
obfervation  j   that  is,   what  is  pai4 
to   the   officers  and   clerks  ,in    the 
pay-office  of  the  navy  and  army, 
for  carrying  on  and  making  up  the 
accounts  ot  the  treafurer  and  pay- 
ma  fter  general   after  their  refigna- 
tion.     It  fhould  feem  that  in  every 
office  of  accounts,    the   balancing 
the  books  every  year,  and  as  foon 
as  polfible  after  the  expiration   of 
that    year,    is    a   duty'  incumbent 
upon  the  perfons  employed  in  that 
office  ;  or  difficulty,  confufion,  and 
ignorance  of  the  real  Hate  of  their 
accounts,  mull  enfue  $  it  is  an  ef- 
fentiai  part  of  their  conftant  year-  . 
ly  buiinefs,    for   which   their  an- 
nual ilipends  are  or  mould  be  an 
adequate  reward ;  and  the  prefid- 
ing    officer   is   bound   to  fee    that 
this  bufinefs  is  done.     But  in  thefe 
two  offices  a  different  fyilem  has 
prevailed  :     during   the    time    the 
treafurer  or  paymafter-general  has 
continued  in  office,  not  one  of  his 
year's  accounts  has  been  ever  made 
up)   and  it   has  been  the   intereft 
of  the  officers  not  to  make  them 
up  :  if  they  had,  it  muft  have  been 
confidered  as  part  of  meir  official 
bufinefs,  and  paid  for  ^y  their  year- 
ly .  emoluments ;    but,   by   delaying 
it    for    ten    or  fifteen   years,    they 
crave,    on  the  ground  of   cuftom, 
and  obtain   of  the  treaiury,  a  {pe- 
dal allowance  for  this  bufinefs,  as 
for    extra    fervice    they  were  not  ^ 
bound  to  perform.     The  final  ac-. 
counts  of  lord  Holland,  ending  in 
Jane  1765,  are  at  length  near  being  *  ' 
doled  j   and  the  treafury  allowance 
for    making    them    up    has    been 
craved  and  allowed.     This   recent 
tranfa&ion,  completed  fince  the  if- 
fuing  our  precept  for  an    account 
of  thefe  allowances,  .con lifts  of  the 
O  3  ^  memorial 


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19S        ANNUAL    REGISTER,    17H6. 


memorial  to.  the  treafury  by  the 
a&ing  executor  of  lord  Hol- 
land j  the  diftribution  of  11,3201, 
amongft  the  officers,  and  the  Aim 
°f  3>&>5\'  xos.  6d.  for  incidental 
charges,  craved  by  the  memorial; 
and  his  majefty's  warrant  autho- 
rifing  thefe  allowances.  If  the  pro- 
fits of  this  office  laft  year  equalled 
the  profits  of  the  preceding  year, 
as  they  probably  did,  the  addi- 
tion of  this  allowance  would  have 
increafed  the  actual  net  receipt  of 
the  whole  office  to  34,8811.  is. 
8d ;  and  that  of  the  caihier  only 
to  9,8251.  19s.  6d.  and,  if,  he 
had  received  all  his  fees,  to  11,0391. 
15s. 

The  memorial  dates  "  thefe  ac- 
counts to  be  intricate  and  volu- 
minous, and  to  amount  to  above 
4J,90o,oooh  notwithstanding  which 
they  have  been  made  up  by  the 
officers  and  clerks  mentioned  in 
the  diftrrbution,  without  any  ex- 
pence  to  the  public  for  additional 
affiftance  or  allowance."  If  they 
have  been  made  up  in  the  courfe  of 
thefe  laft  years,  the  load  of  annual 
current  bufinefs  in  this  office,  dur- 
ing the  time  of  lord  Holland,  could 
have  been  no  impediment  to  their 
being  made  up  at  that  time,  or 
v  ibon  after  his  r^fignation,  and  with 
much  greater  eafe,  whillt  the  trans- 
actions were  recent  and  frpfh  in  their 
memories. 

There  dill  remain  to  be  made 

of  four  treafur- 

tq  the  amount  of 

nd   of  three   pay- 

the  forces,  amount- 

5I. ;    exclufive   of 

d  pay  matter  gene- 

the  fir'ft  of  whom 

to   the    30th  of 

16,7^1,2171.  and 

>  the  end  of  the 


fame  year,  43,253,911!.  and  not 
one  year's  account  of  either  are 
completed.  So  that  of  the  money 
iffued  to  the  navy,  7.5,725,8051.  \ 
and  of  the  money  iffued  to  the  army 
47,920,7861.  together  123,646,5911. 
(not  including  10,647,1881.  iffued 
to  the  navy,  and  8,i2i,oool.  to 
the  army,  to  the  end  of  the  laft 
year)  is  as  yet  unaccounted  for : 
and  for  the  making  up  of  thefe 
accounts,  if  this  cuftom  is  fuffer- 
ed  to  continue,  nine  more  gratui- 
ties are  to  be  craved  of  the  public. 
How  much  then  does  it  behove 
them  that  this  evil  fhould  be  cor- 
rected !—  An  evil  that  furnifhes 
another  weighty  reafon,  in  addi- 
tion to  thofe  urged  in  our  former 
reports,  for  proceeding  immedi- 
ately to  bring  forward  the  long 
arrears  in  the  accounts  of  thefe 
offices,  in  order  for  their,  fpeedy 
completion. 

Having  thus  ftated  the  mifchieft 
attepding  the  prefent  eitabli  figment, 
both  to  the  public  and  individuals, 
and  the  reafons  for  abolifhing  the 
multifarious  emoluments  by  which 
thefe  offices,  are  now  fupporte^ 
it  remains  for  us  to  propoie  fuch 
a  regulation,  as  appears  beft  cal- 
culated to  avoid  the  like  mifchiefs, 
and  molt  beneficial  to  the  public 
fervice. 

We  are  of  opinion,  that  in  the 
ptecp  of  all  thefe  falaries,  fees,  an4 
gratuities,  there  fhould  be  fubfti- 
tuted  ^nd  annexe4  to  each  of  thefe 
offices,  of  whatever  rank  or  de- 
nomination, one  certain  falary,  paitj 
to  the  officer  by  the  public  quar? 
terlyj  and  free  of  all  deductions: 
this  falary  fliquld  \>e  an  ample 
com  pep  fat  ion  for  the  fervice  re-r 
quired ;  and  the  quantum  eftimated 
by  the  various  qualifications  ancj. 
circumftances  necpffary  for  the  exe? 

futioHj 

■    3 


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STATE    PAPERS. 


»99 


cut  ion,  and  which,  together,  form 
the  title  to  reward. 

By  this  regulation  the  officer  will 
know  his  income,  the  public  will 
know  their  expence*  and  uniformity 
and  equality  will  be  introduced  in 
the  provisions  for  officers  of  equal 
rank  spi  ftation  in  fimilar  offices. 
The  induftry  of  fome  perfons  re- 
quires the  fpur  of  profits  continually 
flowing  in,  or  the  hopes  of  increafe; 
others  prefer  the  certainty  of  a 
known,  fure  income*  paid  at  flated 
times.  No  arrangement  can  fuit 
the  difpofitions  or  occafions  of  all 
jaen  $  but  time  and  ufage  will  foon 
reconcile  one  reaibnabje  rule,  ex- 
tended through  thefe  departments 
of  government. 

Notwithstanding  this  regulation 
throws  upon  the  public  the  whole 
expence  of  thefe  offices^  which  are 
at  prefent  fupported  in  part  by 
individuals,  yet,  by  adopting  it, 
that  whole  expence  will  become 
Jefs  than  the  fum  it  now  cofts  the 
public ;  for  that  fum  is  fo  great 
as  to  afford  every  liberal  falary,  and 
yet  leare  no  inconfiderable  faving. 
Not  that  this  .  is  the  only  laving 
propofed  by  the  regulation  j  the 
public  at  prefent  bear  a  much 
greater  ihare  of  the  burthen  than 
is  obvious  at  the  £rft  view,  Betfkles 
fees  and  gratuities  paid  by  pub- 
lic offices,  and  refunded  to  them 
out  of  public  money,  many  pay- 
ments, though  made  by  individuals, 
are  charged  by  them  ultimately  to 
the  account  of  the  public.  .For 
niitanee,  the  contractor,  when  he 
calculates  the  terms  upon  which 
he  may  fafely  engage*  with  govern- 
ment, muft  eftimate  every  article 
of  profit  and  lofs  confequential  to 
his  bargain  ;  to  the  account  of  the 
latter,  he  places  all  his  charges, 
and   amongu\  tjiem  the  long  cata- 


logue of  fees,  certain  and  uncer-' 
tain.  Thefirftheknowsj  the  lafthe 
will  calculate  not  to  his  own  difad^ 
vantage^  arid  if  by  them  he  can  pro- 
cure credit,  or  preference,  or  expedi- 
tion, he  will  charge  them  tp  govern- 
ment at  their  full  price.  If  this 
head  of  various  expences  was  blotted 
out  of  his  column  of  charges,  by  fo 
much  would  the  terms  of  his  con- 
tract be  more  favourable  to  the? 
public  i 

But  beiides  this*  fo  very  variou* 
and  extenfive  are  the  operations  of 
government,  that  the  number  ,of 
perfons  employed  in  their  fervice 
conftitute  a  very  considerable  body  * 
of  the  people  \  and  their  relief  is 
a  public  concern.  If,  by  dtfeharg- 
ing  an  office,  at  prefent  paid  by  a 
falarv,  from  thofe  fees  anil  deduce 
tiows  to  which  it  is  now  fubje&, 
that  falary  fhould  become  greater 
than  the  office  ought  in  feafon  to 
have  annexed  to  it,  it  may  eafily  be 
regulated,  and  reduced  to  its  proper 
ftandard.  , 

We  have  faid  the  lalary  (houkf 
be  paid  free  of  all  dedu&ious  ; 
that  is,,  arf  far  as  is  confrftcnt  with 
the  laws  in  being.  The  Sfala* 
ries  and  fees  of  office  are  at  pre- 
fent' fubjeet,  by  three  acis  of  par- 
liament, to  the  land-tax,  the  fit- 
penny,  and  the  one  ihilling  duties. 
Whoever  takes  a  view  of  the  above 
ftate  of  the' official  profits,  Will  noH 
Wonder  they  lhould  be  deemed  by 
the  legiflature  a  fit  fa bject  of  tax- 
ation 5  and,  under  the  fyftern  theri 
m  ufe,  no  other  mode  of  taxation, 
could  well  be  contrived,  but  that 
adopted  in  thofe  a6h,  though  at- 
tended' with  inequality ;  and,  m 
many  cafes,  with  hardfhip.  Ha?d 
one  known  falary  been  at  that  time 
the  pay  of  office,  and  the  uecef- 
fities  of  the  (late  required  the  aid 

o  4  ojt; 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


ftoo      ANNUAL    REGISTER,    1786. 


of  every  fubje&,  in  proportion  to 
Jiis  faculties,  it  is  poffible  a  dimi- 
nution of  the  falary  before  it  i lined, 
might  have  appeared  a  move  eligi- 
ble, more  equal,    and   lefs  expenr 
five  mode  of  taxation,  than  paying 
it  entire   out    of    the    exchequer, 
and   then   bringing    back   again  a 
part  of  it,  delayed  and  defalcated 
•  by  a  variety  of  deductions  irt'  its 
circuit  3    but,    as    it   is,    the   fums 
at  prefent  afiefied  upon  thefe  of- 
fices   mud    continue   to  be   paid  -, 
becaiife,    otherwife,    in    the   land- 
tax,    it  will   occafion  a 'deficiency 
in  the  fum  to  be  railed  by  that  di- 
vifion  in  which    the   office   is   af- 
felTedj    and,    in   the  other  duties, 
it  will  diminifh  the  funds  created 
by    thofe    acts,    and    confequently 
the  fecurity  of  the  creditors  upon 
thofe    funds.     The   land-tax    and 
duties   are    now    paid    by   the  of- 
ficers, at  ftated  times,  to  the  col- 
lectors and  receivers.     If  the  mode 
of    payment  by   a  clear  falary    is 
adopted,  the  total  fum,  now  alfefled 
lapon  all  the  officers  in  one  office, 
may  flitt  continue  to  be  paid  as  one 
fum,  in  like  manner,  out  of  the  fame 
fund  with  the  falaries  themfelves. 
"We  have  faid  the  falaries  fhould 
fice :  it  ought 
petent  recom- 
tion,    and    no 
it  ought  to  be 
yho   executes, 
licer  who  pre- 
ftill  retain  the 
intment,    and 
he  now  exer- 
fficer.  Where 
lat  the  officer 
1,  the  overplus 
md  the  public 
a  perfor/  who 


fome  of  the  offices  of  the  deputy 
paymasters  abroad  are  finecures : 
though  deputies  themfelves,  they 
execute  thefe  offices  by  their  depu- 
ties, being  themfelves  engaged  in 
very  different  employments  under 
government. 

Inftances  are  not  wanting,  in  all 
thefe  offices,  to  warrant  this  regu- 
lation of  payment  by  a  falary.  The 
treafurer  of  the  navy  and  his  pay- 
maiter,  the  paymafter  general  of  the 
forces,  the  paymasters  of  exchequer 
bills,  *and  their  officers,  are  all  paid 
by  falaries  only ;  and  why  the  fame 
rule  may  not  be  extended  to  the 
reft,  no  fufficient  reafon  has  hither- 
to ^occurred  to  us.  It  might  feem 
too  fanguine,  to  fuggeft,  how  far  this 
rule  may  be  applied  to  other  offices,^ 
without  a  previous  examination  into 
their  peculiar  circumftances  -,  and 
yet  the  advantage  it  holds  out  to  the 
public,  its  fimplicity,  and  aptitude 
to  be  accommodated  to  all  offices, 
however  diftinguifhed,  afford  great 
reafon  to  believe  it  may  be  applied 
to  every  department  of  government. 

The  principle  of  ceconomy  by 
which  wre  have  been  guided, .  has 
led  us  to  the  conclufions  we  have 
formed,  and  the  regulations  we  have 
fubmitted  to  the  wifdom  of  parlia- 
ment :  conclufions  fir  idly  deduced 
from  that  principle,  and  regulations 
made  neceffary  by  the  prefling  exi-. 
gencies  of  the  times. 

Guy  Carleton,  (L.  S.) 

T.  Anguish,  (£.  S.) 

A.  Piggott,  (L.  S.) 

Rich.  Neave,  (Z..  S.) 

Sam.  BeachcrofTjl  (L.  S.) 

Geo.  Drummond,  (L,  S.) 


Office  of  Accounts,  Surry- 
fireet,       9th      February, 

of  the  army,        1782. 

CONTENTS. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQI<2 


C    O    NT    E     N    T    S. 


o^|^0O^< 


HISTORY     of    EUROPE. 


C    H    A    P.    ■    I,  s 

Ireland.  Retrofpeclive  view  of  the  internal  ftate  of  affairs  in  that  country.  Attempt 
to  reform  the  conftitution,  by  fbortening  the  duration  of  parliaments.  Mutiny  bill 
pajfed.  Meetings  of  the  Irifh  volunteers  to  obtain  a  parliamentary  reform.  Inef- 
fectual attempt  to  induce  them  tot  dijband.  Bill  for  effecling  a  parliamentary  reform 
— rejecled by  a  great  majority ;  and  refolution  thereupon.  Addrefs  to  his  majefty  on 
that  fubjecl.  Counter,  addrefs.  Another  bill  prefented  and  rejecled.  Proportion 
for  the  relief  of  the  Roman- catholics.  Petition  of  the  delegates  conveyed  to  Mr.  Pitt. 
Mr.  Pitt's  anfwer.  Difunion  among  the  volunteers,  on  the  fubjecl  of  the  Roman- 
catholics.  Lord  Charlemont  thanked  by  the  city  of  Dublin  for  his  conducl.  Steps 
taken  by  government  to  prevent  the  meeting  of  the  delegates.  Letter  from  the  At' 
torney  General  to  tbefberiffs  of  Dublin.  '  High  jberiff  of  the  county  of  Dublin  profe- 
cutedy  fined,  and  imprifoned ;  others  alfo  projecuted.  Meetings  of  delegates  never- 
tbelefs  held.  Another  bill  prefented,  and  rejecled.  Dijlrejfes  of  the  manufaclurers 
of  Dublin.  Committee  appointed  for  their  relief .  Mr.  Gardener' s  plan— rejecled 
by  a  very  great  majority.  Violent  ferment  among  ft  the  people-  Outrages  .of  the 
mob,  ivho  are  difperfed  by  the  military.  Bill  for  reft  ricling' the  liberty  of  the  prefs. 
Petitions  againft.  Modified,  and  pajfed.  Non -importation  agreements  entered 
into.  Precautions  to  prevent  enormities.  Lord  Lieutenant  incurs  popular  odium, 
and  is  openly  infulted.  Commercial  arrangement  between  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land.  »  Afet  of  refolutions  prefented  to  tbehoufe  of  commons  in  Ireland;  agreed  io  ; 
tranfmitted  to  England.  .  Bufinefs  opened-  in  the  tiwfe  of  commons  there  by  Mr. 
Pitt ;  his  fpeecb.t    Propofitions  minutely  invefti gated.     Ten  ne*w  proportions  added. 


Propofitions  pajfed.  Very  ftrongly  oppofed  in  the  houfi  of  lords  j  pajfed.  Bill  there- 
upon. Propofitions  tranfmitted  to  Ireland ;  their  reception  there.  Bill  moved  for, 
correfpondenf  to  that  in  England ;"  debates  thereupon.  Speeches  of  Mr.  G  rat  tan 
and  Mr.  Flood.  Bill  brought  in  ;  ordered  to  be^  printed.  Further  frofecutiori  of 
the  meafure  declined.  Mr.  Orde'st  fpeech  on  the  occafion.-— Intended  emigration  df 
the  Genevefe  to  Ireland.  Reception  of  their  commiffioners  there.  Difagfeement  be- 
i*ween  the  parties.    Scheme  proves  abortive.  [r 


CHAR 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.    II. 

MetrofpecJive  view  of  continental  matters,  which,  through  the  multiplicity  and  impor- 
tance of  otber  foreign  or  dome  flic  affairs,  were,  of 'neteffity,  faffed  over  in  our  late 
volumes.  France.  Death  of  the  Qount  de  Maurepas,  and  fome  account  of  that 
celebrated  min'ifter.  Convention  vjitb  Sweden,  by  which  the  French  are  admitted 
to  the  rights  of  denizen 'fbip,  of  eftablijbing  wareboufes  and  factories,  and  of  carry  • 
ing  on  a  free  trade  in  Gottenburgb ;  in  return  for  which,  France  cedes  the  Weft 
India  Ifland  of  St.  Bartholomew  to  Sweden. m  Obfervations  on  tbatcefpon.  Sfirit 
of  civil  liberty,  of  enquiry,  of  reform  and  improvement,  with  a  difpofition  to  the 
cultivation  ofufeful  arts,  cbaracleriftics  of  the  prefent  times.  Caufes.  Great  im- 
provements in  Spain  with  refteeJ  to  arts,  marufaclures,  and  agriculture ;  meafures 
purfued  for  the  dijfemination  of  ufeful  knowledge,  for  improving  the  morals,  and 
enlightening  the  minds  of  the  people,  Inquifition  dif  armed  of  its  dangerous  powers  \ 
numerous  patriotic  focieties  formed,  and  public  fcbools  inftituted,  under  the  patronage 
of  the  firjb  nobility  ;  canals  and  roads  forming  ;  fubfcriptions  for  conveying  water 
to  large  diftr'icls  defolate  through  its  want.  King  fuccefsfully  re  fumes  the  proje&  of 
peopling  and  cultivating  the  Sierra  Moreno. ;  abolifbes  bull  feafts\  reftricls  the 
'  number  ofhorfes  and  mules  to  be  ufed  in  the  carriages  of  the  nobility ;  procures  an 
accurate  furvey  and  charts  of  the  coafts  of  the  kingdom,  as  well  as  of  the  Straits  of 
Magellan.  Attention  to  naval  force  and  to  commerce,  blew  Eaft  India  company 
formed.  Improvements  in  $he  adminiftration  of  colonial  government.  Intermar- 
riages with  the  royal  line  of  Portugal  lay  'the  foundation  for  an  alliance  bettteen  the 
latter  and  France,  Patriarchal  age,  eminent  qualities,  and  death  of  the  celebrated 
Cardinal  de  Soils*  Arcbbijbop  of  Seville.  Important  reforms  in  the  police  of  Portu- 
gal. Sateen  forms  the  excellent' refolution  of  never  granting  a  pardon  m  any  cafe 
of  affaJUnation  or  deliberate  murder ;  which  has  already  produced  the  bappieft  effefls* 
Excellent  regulation  of  taking  up  the  idle  and  dijjoluie  throughout  the  kingdom,  and 
of  applying  them,  at  the  expence,  or  under  the  care  of  government,  to  ptofier  labour. 
Improvements  in  agriculture  attempted',  climate  and  foil  unfavourable  to  corn, 
political  obfervations  on  the  intermarriages  with  Spain,  and  on  the  new  alliances 

,  with  the  boufe  of  Bourbon.  Italy.  Noble  acl  of  Pious  the  Vlth,  in  bis  generous 
endeavours  to  drain  the  Pontine  marfbes.  Naples.  Difpofition  of  the  king  to  naval 
affairs,  and  to  the  forming  of  a  marine  force.  Grand  Duke  of  Tufcany.  Re- 
gulation in  Florence  for  the  difpofal  of  the  dead  in  a  common  cemetery  caufes 
great  dif  con  tent.  [2$ 


CHAP.      III? 

War  with'  Tunis,  Germany,  Difappmt- 
ws.  Failure  of  the  Afiatic  company.  Ancient 
noved  from  Prefiurg  to  Vienna.    Archduke 

of  Cofogn.  Admirable  improvements  in  the 
ter  from  the  elefior  of  Triers.  Death  of  the 
New  prophet.  Some  account  of  the  Sbeich 
a  peace  for  the  Emperor's  fubje&s  with  the. 
conftmcls  a  balloon  at  Qonjlantinople,  and 
two  others,  in  the  prefence  of  the  court  and 
1  Signior*    Proffered  fervices  of  a  celebrated 

aeronaut  % 


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CONTENTS. 

aeronaut,  about  the  fame  time  resetted  by  tie  Emperor  and  the  king  of  Pruffia. 
'All  attempts  of  tbf fort  forbidden  in  the  Ruffian  'empire.  Denmark.  Prince  Royal, 
difplaying  uncommon  early  abilities,  is  declared  major.  Unexpeeled  revolution 
in  the  miniftry,  and  voifdom  with  ivbicb  it  <was*  conduced.  Ne*w  council  or 
admiuift  ration  forme  0*  under  the  aufpices  of  the  prince.  Queen  Dowager  ptefented 
nvitb  toe  royal  caftle  of  Frederick/burgh,  in  Hoifiein,  oo  ivbicb  fbe  retires.  Prince 
fupports  voitb  luftre  the  early  hopes  formed  of  bis  talents  and  virtues.  Becomes  the 
picourager  of  literature  %  and  patron  of  learned  men.  liberal and fuccefsful  attempt 
to  recover  the  antiquities,  ana  to  procure  materials  for  eftablijlins  the  biftory  of  the 
northern  nations*  Succeffion  of % irregular  feaj on s,  tvitb  violent  flocks  of  the  earth, 
-  extraordinary  commotions  in  the  heavens,  and  other  natural  evils,  produce  great 
calamities  to  mankind  in  various  parts  oj  the,  vjorld.  Peftilence  de folates  the 
coafts  of  the  Levant  voitb  unexampled  malignity.  Failure  of  harvefts  in  Europe. 
Many  parts  of  Italy,  Hungary,  Germany,  and  f ranee  defolated  through  the 
inundations  of  their  great  rivers.  Prince  Leopold  of  firunfwick  unfortunately 
ferijbes  in  the  Oder.  Famine  and  diftreffis  of  every  kind  prevail  in  the  northern 
kingdoms.  Ruffia  refufes  the  ft'rpulated  fupply  of  grain  to  Sweden  from  Livonia, 
which  mcteafn  the  calamity  of  that  country.'  Complicated  difireffes  of  Norway. 
Unexampled  deftru&ion,  and  calamity  of  Iceland.  [55 


C     H    A    P.       IV. 

tfeitber  the  danger  of  foreign  <war,  nor  the  refignation  of  the  duke  of  Brunswick, Jervf 
in  any  degree  to  allay  the  ferment  in  Holland,  or  to  refiore  tranquillity  to  the  Stadty 
holder's  government.  Great  point  gained  by  tbs  adverfe  party,  **>  procuring  a 
french  Qeneral  to  command  the  armies  of  the  Republic.  Some  account  of  the  Iffar- 
fhal  de  Maillehois.  Short  virw  of  the  origin  and  biftory  of  that  celebrated  repub* 
lican  party,  which  hasfubfifted  in  Holland  from  the  days  if  Prince  Maurice  to  the 
prefent  time.     Motives  on  both  fides  for  the  clofe  conne&ion  vohicb  generally  fubfifted 

"  hetvoeen  that  party  and  France.  Late  *war  vjitb  England,  ana  its  confequences9 
afforded  the  means  for  that  party  to  become  again  formidable.  General  charges 
againft  the  Stadtbolder  tvitb  refpett  to  the  conducl  of  that  tvar?  and  the  anpwers 
made  to  them.  Repeatedly  challenges  them  to  the  proof.  Their  vievjs  anfwered 
by  fupporting  and  jpreading  the  clamour  and  jealoufy.  Specific  enquiry  into  the 
conducl  of  the  navy,  after  a  long  and  tedious  courfe  of  proceeding,  produces  nothing 
equal  to  the  public  expe elation.  Various  caufes  vobicb  concurred  at  this  time 
to  ratfe  the  republican  fpirit  to  the  bigbeft  pitch  in  that  country.  Injudicious, 
meafure  of  f  lacing  arms  in  the  bands  of  the  burghers,  produces  effecls  little  expecl- 
ed  or  vjijbed  by  the  leaders  of  the  party,  and  caufes  great  innovations  in  the  govern- 
ment of  many  towns.  Peculiar  advantages  poffeffed  by  the  adverfe  party  over 
tbofe  on  the  Orange  fide.  Great  legal,  official,  and  natural  bvwers ,  and  refources^ 
fojfejfed  by  the  Prince  Stadtbolder.  Violent  meafure  of  depofing  the  Prince  from  the 
government  of  the  Hague.  Prince  and  family  abandon  the  Hague.  Ineffecluai 
inter pofition  oftbe.late  King  of  Pruffia ,  Judicious,  meafure  of  the  Prince  Stadtbolder 
in  retiring  to  Guelder  land.  Affemblage  of  the  States  of  Holland  and  Weft  Frieze* 
land  at  the  Hague.  Riot  on  opening  the  Stadtbolder  s  gate.  Violent  difenfions 
and  great  preparations  for  defence  or  vaar,  in  the  city  of  Utrecht.  Large  fubferip- 
tjons  forfupporting  the  armed  burghers  and  volunteers.  Republic  convulfed  in  all 
its  parts.  Great  debates  in  the  Affcwbly  of  the  States  of  Holland  and  Weft  Frieze* 
fandf  on  the  qtieftionfor  reftoring  the  Stadtbolder  to  the  government  of  the  Hague, 
Off/lion  loft  by  a  Jingle  vote,    Spirited  letter,  immediately  upon  bis  accejjuw,  from 


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CONTENTS. 

the  frefent  King  ofPruffia  in  behalf  of  the  Stadt  bolder,  conveyed  by  his '  minifter  of 
State,  the  Baron  de  Goefts.  Little  effecl  produced  by  the  King's  reprefentations. 
Memorial  from  the  Court  of  Per  failles,  not  only  dij claiming  all  interference  berfelf 
in  the  government  of '  tbe-repuilic,  but  declaring  her  intention  to  prevent  their  being 
difturbed  by  that  of  others,  Rtfracloty  burghers  of  Elbourg  and  Hattem  reduced  by 
the  S t ad t bolder,  under  the  orders  of  the  States  of&uelderland.  Violent  ferment  on 
the  taking  of  theft  towns.  States  of  Holland  fufpend  the  Stadtbolder  from  all  the 
funclions  appertaining  to  his  office  of  Captai/t  General  within  their  province  j  and 
difebarge  the  troops  from  their  military  oath  to  obey  his  orders,  [6j 


C    H    A    P.      V.      ~ 

Opening  of  the  third  feffion  of  parliament.     Amendment  moved  upon  the  addrefs in 
both  houfer,  and  negatived  without  a  divijion.    Mr.  Foxys  obfervations  on  the  king1! 
fpeecb — on  the  fiate  of  foreign  alliances —treaty  between  France  and  the  United 
Provinces — Germanic  league — treaty  with  Rttjfia — commercial  treaty  with  France— 
prepofierous  mode  of  conducting  the  public  bufinefs — Irifb  proportions — affairs  of  In- 
dia.    Mr.  Pitt's  reply  j  bis  obfervations  on  Mr.  Fox's  dexterity  in  debate  ;  bis  ac- 
count of  the  Ruffian  treaty  and  German  confederacy  ;  bis  opinion  refpecling  the  con- 
nee!  ion  between  Hanover  and.  Gteat  Britain^  defence  of  his  India  bill;  flourifb'tng 
fate  of  the  revenues.     Remarks  by  Mr.  Fox  on  the  minifier's  opinion  concerning  the 
political  contieclion  between  Great  Britain  and  Hanover.     Major  Scott  calls  on 
Mr.  Burke  to  bring  forward  bis  charges  againft  Mr.  Haftings.     Mr,  Burke  relates 
in  reply  an  anecdote  of  the  duke  of  Parma.     Grand  debate  on  the  duke*  of  Rich- 
mond's propofed  fortification  of  the  dockyards.     Infiruclions  to  the  board  of  land 
and  fea- officers,  and  extracls  from  their  report.     Mr.  Pitt's  motion  and  arguments 
btfupport  of  the  platifropofed,  as  necejfary9  as  heft  adapted  to  their  purpofe,  as  tend- 
ing to  increafe  the  ejfecls  of  our  naval  force,  and  to  reduce  the  army.     Amendment 
to  Mr.  Pitt  s  motion  by  Mr.  Baftard  and  Sir  William  Lemon.     Mr.  Sheridan* s 
fpeecb  in  favour  of  the  amendment ;  firfi  befbews  that  the  plan  propofed  was  dan- 
gerous to  the  conftitution ;  he  denies  it  wouid  reduce  the  ftan ding  army,  and  if  it 
did,  be  proves  that  in  the  fame  proportion  it  would  increafe  its  power ;  idly,  he  de- 
■  %ies  that  it  is  fanclioned by  .the  report  of  the  board  of officers ,  the  extracls  from  the  re- 
ere  not  agreed ;  the  report  itfelf  founded  on  hypothetical 
general.    Mr.  Pitt's  motion  rejecled  by  the  cafting  vote  of 
houfe  of  lords  on  the  new  claftfe  in  the  mutiny  bill  for  fub- 
be  military  law\  amendment  propofed  by  lords Carlifle  and 
'vifion;  quefiion farted,  whether,  an  officer  could*  refign 
opinions  of  the  lord  chancellor  and  lord  Loughborough.— 

m 

CHAP.       VI. 

rcl  to  the  reduclion  of  the  national  debt.  Report  of  a 
the  annual  income  and  expenditure  of  the  fiate.  Sup- 
,  for  the  current  year.  Bill  brought  in  by  Mr.  Pitt  to 
million  annually,  to  be  vefied  in  commiffionets,  and  to  be 
the  national  debt ;  debates  t bet  eon  ;  resolutions  moved  by 
an  amendment  moved  by  Mr.  Fox,  and  agreed  to  witb- 
ffes  both  boufes  of  parliament >  and  receives  the  royal 

offend 


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CONTENTS. 

afient.  Mr.  Pittas  Bill  for  transferring  the  duties  on  'wines  from  the  atftoms  to  the 
ex  rife  y  debates  thereon  ;  a  new  claufe,- moved  by  Mr.  Beaufoy,  negatived;  the 
bill  carried  up  to  the  boufe  of  lords  ;  debates  upon  it  there  ;  paffed.  Mr.  Pitt"s  Bill, 
empowering  commiffioners  to  enquire  into  the  ft  ate  of  and  to  fell,  the  crown  lands ; 
debates  thereon  j  amendments  moved  by  Mr.  Jolliffe  agreed  to  \  the  Bill  carried  up 
to  the  lords  ;  debates  thereon  ;  carried  on  a  divifion  ;  proteft  entered  againft  it. 
Bill  brought  in  by  Mr.  Mar/bam  to  extend  the  dif qualifications  in  Mr.  Ct  ewe's  Bill 
to  perfons  holding  places  under  the  navy  and  ordnance  offices ;  debates  thereon  ;  ne- 
gative d  on  a  divifion  i  [in 


•CHAP.         YII. 

Accufation  of  Mr.  Haftings..  Speech  of  Mr.  Burke  on  opening  that  bufinefs  in  the 
houfe  of  commons;  be  gives  the  reafons  for  his  undertaking  it ;  reminds  the  boufe  of 
their  former  proceedings ;  fates  three  different  modes  of  accufathn,  profecution  in 
the  courts  beltno,  bill  of  pains  and  penalties,  impeachment-,  objeclion  to  the  two 
former  modes  ;  bis  plan  of  conducting  the  loft  ;  general  obfervations  on  the  whole\ 
be  moves  for  a  variety  of  India  papers  and  docj/ments ;  debates  tberenn ;  Mr.  Dan- 
das's  defence  of  himfelf;  Mr.  Pitt's  argument  on  the  fame  fide ;  anfwer  to  objec- 
tions by  Mr.  Burke ;  rights  and  privileges  of  an  accufer ;  the  production  of  paper f 
relative  to  the  treaties  with  the  Mabrattas  and  the  Mogul  objected  to,  on  the 
ground  of  difclojmg  dangerous  fecrets ;  anfwer  to  that  objeclion  ;x papers  refufed  on 
a  divifton  ;  motion  renewed  by  Mr.  Fox,  and  rejetled.  Mr.  Burke  delivers  in 
twenty -two  articles  of  charge  againft  Mr.  Haftings  ;  Mr.  Haftings  petitions  10  be 
heard  in  his  own  defence ;  converfation  thereon  ;  Mr.  Haftings  beard  at  the  bar  ; 
his  defence  laid  on  the  table ;  firft  charge  refpecling  the  Rohilla  war,  moved  by 
Mr.  Burke;  bis  introduclory  fpeecb ;  lift  of  fpeakers  on  both  fides;  charge  rejecled 
■on  a  divifion ;  fecond  charge,  refpecling  Benares,  moved  by  Mr.  Box  \  filpported 
by  Mr.  Pitt ;  carried  by  a  large  majority ;  indecent  refleclions  of  Mr.  Haftings  s 
friends  thereupon.  Mr.  Dundas's  Bill  for, amending  the  India  acl  of  1784;  its 
arbitrary  principles  ftrongly  oppofed ;  defended  by  Mr.,Dunda$  5  paffes  both  houfes. 
K>ing '  sfphecb. —Parliament  prorogued.  ,"  [125 


CHAP.      VIII. 

RuJJia.  Magnificence  of  the' Court  of  Peterjburgh.  Expeditions  of  difcovety  by  land 
andfea,  to  the  yet -unexplored  parts  of  the  empire.  Small  colony  of  Christians  dif- 
covered  in  the  wilds  of  Caucafus.  New  canal  for  opening  an  inland  navigation 
benveen  the  Cafpian  Sea  and  the  Baltic.  Commercial  treaty  with  the  Emperor. 
Similar  treaties  in  negotiation  with  France  and  other  nations.  Old  commercial 
treaty  with  England  fuffered  to  expire  without  renewal.  Some  obfervations  on 
that  circumftance,  and  on  the  change  which  feems  to  have  taken  place  in  the  Em- 
prefs's  political  fyftem.  War  Wit0b  the  Tartars.  Inequality  of  the  contending 
parties.  Brave  and  obftinate  refiftance  notwithftanding  made.  Prince  of  Heje 
Rhinfels  killed.  Tartar  chief,  with  his  fons  and  nephew,  taken  prif oners.  Cuban 
Tartary  defolated.  The  new  prophet,  Sberch  Manfoury  defeated.  Emprefs  an- 
nounces her  intention  of  making  a  progrefs  to  Cherfon  and  the  Crimea.  Extraordi- 
nary preparations  for  rendering  the  proceffton  fuperbly  magnificent .  The  intelligence 
9f  ibis  intended  progrefs  and  defignx  inftead  of  terrifying  the  Tartars  %  occafions  a 
"  ftricler 


Digitized  by  VjOOQlC 


CONTENTS. 

finder  union  and  general  confederacy  among  them ;  /hew  unttfual  judgment  in 
feizing  the  gorges  and  defiles  of  the  mountains,  and  interrupting  the  Ruffian  com- 
munications. VicJory  gained  by  the  Tartars  in  the  autumn  of  1786,  on  the  fide  of 
Caucafus.  Some  of  the  apparent  confluences  of  that  event ;  and  particularly  its 
iff  eel  with  refpecJ  to  the  'intended  progrefs.  Georgians  forely  prejfed  by  the  Lefghis 
Tartars.  Court  of  Peterfiurgb  vents  its  indignation  on  the  Porte,  as  tbe  caufe  of  all 
tbefe  untoward  events.  Some  jealoufies  entertained  by  tbe  Cbinefe.  Death  of  Kien- 
long,  tbe  excellent  Emperor  of  China.  Singular  bank  efiablifbed  by  tbe  Emprefs  at 
Peterfiurgb.  Ruffian  troops  frnt  into  Courland9  in  order  to  fupport  tbe  freedom  of 
cteSlion  in  cafe  of  tbe"  Duke's  death.  Turkey.  Appeal  from  tie  Grand  Signior  f 
bis  fubjecls,  and  to  all  true  Muffulmen,  on  tbe  differences  tuitb  Ruffia,  the  treat- 
ment be  has  received,  and  calling  upon  them  to  be  in  preparation  for  tbe  expeded 
confluences.  Preparations  for  placing  tbe  empire  in  a  formidable  fate  of  defence. 
Troubles  in  Egypt.  Captain  Pacha's  expedition  to  that  country ;  defeats  Murat 
Bey  in  two  battles,  and  takes  Grand  Cairo.  Porte  does  not  relax  in  its  endea- 
vours, notwithstanding  tbe  critical  fiate  of  public  affairs,  to  introduce  tbe  arts  and 
fciences  in  that  empire j  orders  a  tranjlation  of  tbe  French  Encydopedia.  Emperor's 
conduct  with  refpecl  to  Rujfia  and  tbe  Porte.  Engaged  fill  in  a  multiplicity  of  in- 
ternal regulations.  Abrogation  of  tbe  old  laws,  and  efiablifbment  of  a  new 
code.  Ecclefiaftical  reforms.  Supprcffion  of  religious  boufes.  Number  of  tbe  con  - 
ventual  clergy  already  reduced.  German  prelacy  Join  tbe  Emperor  in  refifiing 
tbe  interference  of  tbe  court  of  Rome  in  their  ecclejtaftical  and  metropolitan  go- 
vernment. Eleclor  of  Mentz  and  ArMiJbop  of  Saltzbourg  apply  to  tbe  Em- 
peror, to  prevent  a  nuncio's  arrival  at  tbe  court  of  Munich,  Emperor  pub- 
'  HJbes  a  declaration  againft  tbe  powers  affumed  by  nuncios,  and  promifes  to  fupport 
the  Germanic  Church  in  all  its  rights.  Refolutions  of  the  ecclejtaftical  princes  againft 
tbe  encroachments  of  tbe  fee  of  Rome.  Emperor's  edicl,  laying  reflricliohs  on 
free  mafonry.  Letters  in  Javour  of  tbe  Jews  to  tbe  corporations  of  Vienna.  Edicl 
prohibiting  gaming.  Forbids  all  publications  from  making  any  mention  of  tbe  Ger- 
manic league,  &c.  Regulation  of  tbe  numerous  proftitutesin  Vienna.  Attention  to 
tbe  troubles  in  Holland.  New  claim  in  preparation  on  tbe  Eaft- India  trade  of  that 
country.  [138 


C    H    A    P.       IX. 

account  of  that  great  prince.  Hofpbalsfor  dif- 
ved  by  him  in  Berlin*  Temper  and  difpofition 
V  by  age.  Leaves  his  fucceffor  tbe  heft  fecurities 
excellent  armies,  and  fubjecls  ftrongly  attached 
futes  purfued  by  tbe  prefent  king.  Reftores  tbe 
}ace,  in  tbe  room  of  tbe  French,  which  had  been 
HfacJions,  during  tbe  fate  reign.  Patronizes  tbe 
\uage.  Prohibits  irreligious  publications.  For- 
f  honour.     Perfecution  of  the  free-mafons  by  tbe 

Born  indignantly,  to  return  bis  diplomas,  and  to 
u  Munich.  Northern  kingdoms.  Dearth f  and 
m  both.  Diet  held  at  Stockholm,  after  an  inter- 
weden  abolijbes  tbe  torture.  Danifh  Eaft- India 
\ands  of  the  king.  Junction  between  tbe  Baltic 
Wawn  acrofs  the  prninfula  of  Jutland*    France. 

Attention  to  her  marine  and  commerce*   Stupen. 

dm 


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CONTENTS, 

dout  works  carrying  on  at  Cherburgh,  in  order  to  render  it  a  great  naval  arfetfal. 
King  vifits  that  place.  Religious  prejudices  happily  wearing  away.  Foreigners 
of  all  religious  perfuafions  and  countries  invited  to  fettle  in  the  kingdom ,  with  the 
privileges  of  purcbajmg  lands,  and  of  enjoying  the  rights  of  citizens.  Colony  of  ^ 
quakers  and  baptifts  arrive  from  North  America ;  to  fettle  at  Dunkirk.  Great  en- 
couragement to  foreign  merchants,  artijfs,  and  manufacturers  to  fettle  in  France* 
Meafures  already  adopted  in  favour  of  the  native  protefiants,  to  be  confidered  as  a 
happy  opening  towards  their  refioration  in  a  more  perfeil  degree  to  the  rights  of 
citizens*  Edicl  in  favour  of  the  peafantry.  Edicl  in  favour  of  the  fubjefi Vwitb 
refpecl  to  ptrfonal  arrefts,  and  the  feizure  or  detainer  of  his  property,  under  the  , 
local  authority  of  cities  and  corporations  in  which  be  is  not  a  tefident.  Singular 
infiance  of  a  Free  Black  of  the  IJle  of  France,  being  elecled  a  correjpondhtg  mem- 
ber of  the  royal  academy  offciences*  [i6* 


CHRONICLE.     [i93H>'$ 


Births  for  the  Tear  1786  •  . 

Marriages  .  • 

Principal  Promotions         .  * 

Deaths 

Sheriffs  anointed  by  bis  Majefiy  in  Council,  for  1786 


."7 

220 


APPENDIX  to  the  CHRONICLE. 


Abfira&of the  Narrative  of  the  loft,  of  the  Halfewell  Eaftlndiaman,  CaJ$.  R. 
Fierce,  which  was  wrecked  at  Seacombe,  in  the  IJle  of  Purkeck,  on  the  coaft  of 
Dorfetfbire,  on  the  6tb  of  January,  1786.  Compiled  from  the  communications  of 
Mr.  Meriton  and  Mr.  Rogers,  the  two  chief  officers,  who  efcaped  that  dreadful 
cataftropbe  .  .  .  .  ".  [2*4 

Extraordinary  Gazette,  refpeeJing  Margaret  Nicbolfon's  attempt  to  ajfajjmate  bis  Ma- 
jefiy .  .  .  .  .  .  [233 

Letters  written  by  the  late  King  of  Prufjta,  to  the  widow  of  Colonel  Fantrofcke,  [234 

Recount  of  the  trial  of  R.  Fitzgerald,  Efq.  and  bis  ajfociates,  at  Cafilebar,  for  the 
murder  of  P.  R.  McDonnell,  Efq.  .  .  .  [2^5 

Refolutions  of  the  Britifb  inhabitants  at  Calcutta,  relative  to  Mr.  Pitt's  Eafl-\ndia 
bill  .  .  .  •  .  [241 

A  general  bill  of  all  the  chrifienings  and  burials  in  the  cities  of  London,  Wefiminfier% 
&<:,  for  the year  1786  .  .  .  .  £244 

Account  of  the  quantities  of  all  corn  and  grain  exported  from,  and  imported^  into, 
England  and  Scotland y  with  the  bounties  and' drawbacks  paid,  and  the  duties  re- 
ceived thereon,  for  one  year,  ended  $th  January  17B7  .  .  £245 

Prices  of  Stqck  for  the year  1786  .  .  .'  •  [24? 

Supplies  granted  by  parliament,  for  the  year  1786  •  .  .  [248 

Ways  and  means  for  raifmg  the  fupplies  .  •  .  •  *5* 

lifi  •fMtC  national  <kbt  to  the  $th  of  January,  1786        -  •  «  [a5* 


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C    ON    T    EN    T    S. 


'STATE     PAPERS'. 

His  Majejiy *s  Jpeech  on  opening  tbe  parliament,  January  ztfb,  1786  *  [$ 
The  humble  addrejs  of  the  Lords  Jpiritual  and  temporal^  in  parliament  afnmi,  .1 

the  King ;  with  bis  Majejiy" s  anfwer  .  .  .  [j< 

The  bumble  addrejs  of  tbe  Commons  of  Great  Britain,  to  tbe  King;  *witb  bisMajtfy 

anfwer  .  "  .  .  .  •  [:: 

The  Jpeech  of  tbe  Duke  of  Rutland,  lord  lieutenant  ef  Ireland,  to  botb  boujesoftof 

liamenty  on  opening  tbe  Jeffions  there,  January  19,  1786  .  [151 

Tbejpeecb  of  tbe  Speaker  of  tbe  Houje  of  Commons  in  Ireland  to  tbe  lord  lieutenai 

on  Tuejday,  March  21,  on  presenting  the  money-bills   at  tbe  bar  of  tbe  bouft  t 

lords  .  .  .  .  .  [:; 

Tbe  fpeech  of  tbe  lord  lieutenant  of  Ireland  to  botb  boufes  of  parliament,  on  clofn^i 

fefflon,  May  %,  1786         .  .  .  .  [t! 

His  Mzjejiy  s  Jpeech  to  botb  houjes  of  parliament,  on  chjing  tbe  fejjion  ofparfow 

July  11,  1786  .  .  .  .  •  [Ji! 

The  addrejs  of  tbe  lord  mayor,  &c.  of  the  city  of  London,  Auguji  1  r,  1786)  «fc 

Majejiy* s  happy  ejcape  from  ajfafftnation ;  ivitb  bis  Majejiy  s  anfwer  [-:1 

Treaty  of  alliance  and  commerce  between   Frederick  III.  King  of  Prujta  andtt 

United  States  of  America,  ratified  by  congrejs,  May  7,  17X6  .  [«' 

Convention  between  bis  Britannic  Majejiy  and  the  King  of  Spain,  fignei  at  Lssfc\ 

>/yi4, 1786  •    .         •  '         '•  •  •     ,    (;" 

Treaty  of  commerce  and  navigation  between  bis   Britannic  Majejiy  ana  tbe  M 

Cbrijlian  King,  figned  at  Verjaillci,  September  26,  1786  .  [«' 

Tbe  Prince  of  Orange' 's  letter  to  the  States  of  tbe  Province  of  Holland,  fent  Sept* 

her  26,  1786,  in  anfwer  to  their  notif  cation  of  bis  fufpenfion  from  tbe  ip\ 

captain  general  •  .  .  »  .  [jSl 

7 he  King  ofPruJfia"s  letter  to  tbe  States  General  of  tbe  United  Provinces,  defctrn 

Sept.  i: ;  1786,  by  the  Count  de  Goertz,  bis  majejiy' s  envoy  extraordinary  \-\ 
The  memorial , of  the  general  meeting  of  Wejl  India  planters  and  merchants,  deists 

December  z6,  17S6  .  .  .  .  .     t     [$ 

Tranflation  of  the  Emperor  of  Morocco" s  letter  to  tbe  States  of  North  America,  ^ 

tive  to  a  treaty  lately  entered  into  by  that  emperor  with  tbe  States  •  i: 
Fifth  report  of  the  commijftoners  of  public  accounts^  relative  to  the  balance  in  tbek^ 

of  the  paymajfer  general  of  the  forces  in  office  .        *  *  l:i 

Heads  of  the  principal  aft s  of  parliament  which  pajjed  in  tbe  fejjion  of parliament  a* 

mencing  January  24,  17S6  .  ."  .  .         [j:I 


CHARACTER  S. 

Cbaratler  of  Dr.  Samuel  Johufon  ;  from  Mrs.  Piozzi's  anecdotes  concerning  &»? 

Short  account  of  tbe  perfon  and  cbaratler  of  Peter  II.  Emperor  of  Raffia ;  *»A?; 

'  fifier  the  princefs  Nathafia  ;  from  Mrs.  Vigor's   additional  Letters  fro*  *"/* 

written  during  that  emperor  s-  reign.  .  .  '      r  * 

Cbaratler  of  the  Mogul  Emperor,  Shaw  Aulum,  eldeji  Jon  andjucccjfor  to  tbeft^ 
Aulumgeer   Aurengzebe\  from  a  tranjta/ion  of  tbe  memoirs  of  Eradut  M®* 
nobleman  of  Indojtan,  bv  Captain  Jonathan  Scott  .  * 

Cbaratler s  of  tbe  four  font  of  Shaw  Aulum  j  from  tbe  fame  work         •        ' 


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contents; 

Account  of  the  behaviour  and  conducl  of  Jebaunder  Shaw,  after  be  became  em- 
peror,      .......  • '  •  •  7 

Hiftory  and  character  of  Lord  Digby,  by  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  from  the  Supplement 
.  to  the  third  volume  of  bis  State  Papers  .  •  .  .  9 


NATURAL      HISTORY. 

Natural  bijloty  of  the  different  ferpents  in  the  Eaft  Indies ;  from  Monf.  F.  (TObfon- 
•villus  ejfays  on  the  nature  of  various  foreign  animals,  tranfiated  by  Mr,  *t. 
Hokroft  ....  ....        45 

Natural  hiftory  of  the  Ichneumon ;  from  the  fame  work  .  .  49 

Natural  hiftory  of  the  Thevangua,  or  Tatonneur,  from  the  fame  work  -        50 

Particulars  relative  to  the  nature  and  cuftoms  of  the  Indians  of  North  America,  by 
Mr.  Richard  MlCaufland  .  .  ',  ...  52 

Some  particulars  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  Mount  Vefuvius  ;  from  a  letter  from  Sir  Wil- 
liam Hamilton,  K.  B.  F.  R.  S.  to  Sir  Jofeph  Banks,  Bart.  P.  R.  S.  •    55 

Account  of  a  new  eleclrical  ftfb ;  in  a  letter  from  Lieutenant  William  Paterfon,  to 
$b  Jofeph  Banks,  Bart.   P.R.S.  .  ...  .  57 

Advertifement  of  the  expecled  return  of  the  comet  of  1532  and  166s  in  the  year 
1788;  by  the  Rev.  Nevil  Mdjkelyne,  D.  D+F.  R.S.  and  afironomer  royal        58 

Obfervations  on  longevity,  in  a  letter  from  Anthony  Fotbergill,  M.  D.  F.  R.  S*  to 
Dr.  Percival        .......  .  .  6  c 

Refult  of  fame  obfervations  relative  to  army  dijea/es,  made  by  Benjamin  Rufb,  M.  D. 
Profejfor  of  cbemiftry  in  the  univerfity  of  Philadelphia >  during  his  attendance  as 
fbyfician  general  of  the  military  bofpitals  of  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the 
date  war  t  •  ♦  .  .  ,70 


USEFUL    PROJECTS. 

Obfervations  on  the  ufe  of  acids  in  bleaching  of  linen,  by  Dr.  Eafon  .  73 

Experiments  and  obfervations  on  fermentations,  by  which  a  mode  of  exeking  fermenta- 
tion in  malt  liquors,  without  the  aid  ofyeajt,  is  pointed  out,  with  an  attempt  to 
form  a  ner.y  theory  of  that  procefs  ;  by  Thomas  Henry,  F.  R.S.  . ,  74. 

A  Jyftem  of  Kentifi  agriculture,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hill,  of  Eaft  Mailing,  Kent  j  be- 
ing his  anfwers  to  the  queries  propofed  to  him  by  the  Bath  Agricultural  Society       83 

Culture,  expences,  and  produce  of  fix  acres  of  potatoes,  being  a  fair  part  of  near 
feventy  acres,  raifed  by  John  Billing  fly,  Efq.  .  .  $6 

Account  of  the  origin,  progrefs,  and  regulations,  with  a  defer iption  of  the  newly - 
ejlablijbed  bridewell  or  penitentiary -houfe  at  Wymondbam  ;  by  Sir  Thomqs  Beevor, 
Bart.  .  .  .     . "  .  87 

On  the  ufe  of  fteeping  feed-  barley  in  a  dryfeafon  ;  by  Mr.  tfames  Chappie  93 

Account  of  a  new  kind  of  cement,  peculiarly  bard  and  lofting,  made  from  fame  red 
eartb  or  puzzolana,  found  in  Jamaica  .  «  *  •  *        g4> 


Vol.  XXVIII,  F  ANTI* 


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A  N  T  I  QJJ  I  T  I  E  S. 

V 

Defcriptlon  of  TbeSes;  flate  of  that  city  under  tf>e  Perfian,  Roman,  and  Turkifb 
emperors  $  the  porticos,  t$c.  of  the  great  temple  near  Carnac  j  the  plain  of  Car* 
nacy  leading  to  Luxor;  remains  of  the  temple  of  Luxor ;  the  magnificent  obeli/is, 
&c.  defcribed.  From  the  tranflatwn  of  Monf.  Savary^s  Letters  on  Egypt, 
vol.  ii.  ........  97 

A  vifit  to  the  tombs  of  the  kings  of  Thebes ;  farcobbagi,  &c.  defcribed  ;  observations 
on  the  grand  temple  ;  parts  of  a  prodigious  colojfal  figure  found  among  tbefe  ruins  j, 
tbe  ruins  of  Memnonium,  denoted  by  heaps  of  marble,  &c.  either  mutilated  or  funk 
in  the  earth  -,  from  the  fame  work  .  .  .         .  .  102 

Dr.  Glafs's  letter  to  William  Marfden%  Efq.  on  tbe  affinity  of  certain  'words  /* 
the  language  of  the  Sandwich  and  Friendly  IJIes  in  tbe  Pacific  Ocean,  witb  tbe 
Hebrew  •  .  ...  .  .  107 

Obfervations  on  a  piclure  by  Zuecaro,  from  Lord  Falkland^  colleclion,  fuppofed  to 
rcprefent  the  game  of  Primero  ;  by  tbe  Hon.  Daines  Barrington  .  '1*9 

ObJ equations  on  tbe  antiquity  of  card-playing  in  England-,  by  tbe  fame        «         ii* 


MISCELLANEOUS    ESSAYS. 

The  hot  baths  ufed  all  over  Egypt,  and  tbe  manner  of  bathing  defcribed,  wi/b  obfer- 
nations  on  the  benefits  arifing  from  them  5  on  the  women  who  bathe  once  or  twice 
a  week ;  and  comparifons  between  tbefe  batbs  and  tbofe  of  tbe  ancient  Greeks* 
From  Monf.  Savory's  Letters  on  Egypt        .  •         .  118 

An  account  of  tbe  Almai,  or  Egyptian  Impnrovifatore,  their  education,  dancing,  nut- 
fie,  and  the  pajjionate  delight  tbe  natives  take  in  tbefe  aclrejfes  -,  from  tbe  fame 
work  .  .  .  /    -.  .  in 

Some  account  of  tbe  private  life  of  the  Egyptian  women,  their  inclinations,  &c. ;  tbe 
manner  in  which  they  educate  their  children ;  and  their  cuftom  of  weeping  over 
their  kindred ;  from  tbe  fame  work  .  .  .  1 24 

Curious  account  of  tbe  chicken-ovens  in  Egypt ;  from  the f ante  work  .  128 

Account  of  ^ke  Krimea  ;  from  the  Gentleman's  Magazihi  .  . .        129. 

Taciturnity,  an  apologue,  tranjlated  from  tbe  French  of  Abbe  Blancbet        •  134. 


POETRY. 

Ode  for  tbe  new  year  1786,  by  tbe  Rev.  T.  Warton  .  .  13$ 

Ode for  his  Majejfy's  birtb-day,  June  4,  1786,  by  the  fame  .  138 

Verfes fuppofed  to  be  written  by  Alexander  Selkirk,  during  bis  folitary  abode  in  tbe 

tjland  of  Juan  Fernandez ;  by  W.  Cowper,  Efq.  .  .  140 

Report  of  an  adjudged  cafey  not  to  be  found  in  any  of  tbe  books  \  by  the  fame  141 

Ode  to  Edmund  Malone,  Efq.  from  the  Gentleman's  Magazine^  .  142 

Prologue  to  tbe  Heirefs,  by  tbe  Right  Hon.  Richard  Fttzpatrick  .  144 

Epilogue  to  tbe  fame  .  ^  .  .  145 

Pathetic  Apology  for  all  Laurcats,  paji,  prefcnfjpnd  to  come;   byW.  Whitehead* 

Efq:  late  Poet  Laureat  *  .  .  .  146 

Sonnet 


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CONTENT    S. 

Sonnet  from  Petrarcb ;  by  Charlotte  Smith                .                .  7  149 

Another ;   by  the  fame            .                  .                -                .  .149 

A  parody  on  **  Blefi  as  the  immortal  Gods  is.be -,"  faid  to  be  written  by  the  Hon* 

Henry  Erjkine            .                 .                 .                 .                 .  .  150 

15* 

-'-■■'■  -■■/.,-.,.*'        -       .*•  Ek-        •  .     «« 

Anacreontique,  addrej/ed,  m  a  far  country,  to  a  once  new  year  #  154 

Portrait  of  a  provincial  poet,  drawn  from  the  life,  abo<ve  forty  years  ago  tsz_ 


Account    of   BOOK-S   for  1786. 

The  Hifiory  of  Antient  Greece,  its  colonies,  and  conquefts,  from  the  earViefi  accounts 
till  the  divifion  of  the  Macedonian  empire jn  the  Eaft ;  including  the  hifiory  of  lite- 
rature, pbilofophy,  and  the  fine  arts,  in  2  vols.     By  John  Gillies,  LL.D.         154. 

An  account  of  State  Papers,  collecled  by  Edward  Earl  of  Clarendon,  vol.  iiLfoli* 

Sixth  Report  of  the  Comtmfioners  of  Public  Accounts  \  omitted  by  mifiake  in  the  State 
Papers  .  •  .  .  .  •  175 


FINIS. 


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_^  _i 


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,ary 


.ia 


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u  it  as  soon  as  possible,  but 
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